FROM OUR 2020 ATTENDEES:

“Cover what happens, NOT what’s canceled.” 

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“The first thing I learned is to not cover what has already happened, but cover what is happening at the moment; that’s a yearbook story is worth telling. In addition, my team learned to step out of comfort zones. It isn’t about having one representative share our thoughts and ideas, but the entire class engaging with one another so that we all are on the same page, and are ready to share the information verbally and visually.” 

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“Pro talks - researching before interviewing and the TIME it takes to do that.”

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"Growing and investing in social media presence and connection is also going to be huge. Combining this with the idea of how we can help be of service to our school community. In a completely non-traditional year, the yearbook staff and social media can be a place to connect and invest in community and culture. Not only does it help actual community building during the school year, but it will be mutually beneficial and allow us, in theory, to gather some great and varied coverage."

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“I learned that we are definitely going to need to learn how to take more environmental photos at people’s houses. Everybody on staff is going to need to be a photographer."

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“I learned how to utilize crowdsourcing and how specifically to get better responses from students virtually. I also learned how to better manage a staff through learning how to advise them on their work and how to keep them motivated, all to ensure that our workflow doesn’t suffer.”

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“Story, Words, Pretty... In that order. In everything that we do, including graphics, layouts, and mods. I think I finally understood the power of the verbal theme.”

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“I really enjoy the typography classes. We will definitely be using certain aspects in our book this year. I also enjoyed spread layout course. It showed me the variety that can exist within a spread.”

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“I learned a lot from all of the Learn and Earns/Fast Track sessions that have made me understand yearbook a lot more. I also found new ways to promote the yearbook through social media and through eDesign/eShare. I will also be sharing everything I learned in my photography class and the camp curriculum book.” 

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“I loved the emphasis on alternative coverage concepts. I think it will really invigorate the program."

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“I learned a lot about mods, the way to properly create spreads, captions, incorporating a cohesive theme, how to take the right kind of photography for a yearbook, and a lot of important information about interviewing and having a good conversation.”

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“Interview tips (having a conversation, better questions, etc.) and diversity in yearbook photography.”

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“We learned how schools implemented a color palette to their book which we plan on using in this upcoming year. Another thing we learned is the different ways a chronological book can work, which we plan on doing. Also better ways to use a camera and to take profile photos.” 

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“Communication is key and we editors can’t rely on the EIC to know everything.... Every editor should have confidence in knowing what our theme is.”

“I wasn’t sure that there would be a variety of topics we could cover in the yearbook because of quarantine. However, by the end of camp, I learned how to find inspiration and brainstorm many, many ideas that I could share with my yearbook team!!”

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“Remember the importance of telling the full story on a spread— the photography track re-emphasized this.”

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“We should focus on covering people not things.”

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WHAT WE’LL STUDY

For over 20 years, Yearbooks@theBeach has attracted staffs from across the country who want to improve their book quality and staff cohesion. Our award-winning workshop instructors teach sessions on design, writing, photography, leadership, sales, coverage, media and theme development. They will challenge and inspire you, but you may find you lose more than a little sleep during these five intense days.

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We thought 2020 was something, and 2021 proved to be even more challenging. As we await the vaccine and observe pandemic safety, we will continue the on-line experience using Zoom as we plan and design our 2022 books.

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​Your main task at camp is to develop your theme into a strong package for 2022. You’ll work with your staff on a Theme Packet while also learning about as many areas of yearbook journalism as your schedule allows. This year, to help develop strong editorial staffs, we are offering an additional [optional] Leadership Retreat for advisers and up to five editors per staff. 

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There will be fun activities along with our Discord channel to help kids connect with each other and our TA staff.

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INSTRUCTION AND RESOURCES:

THEME/STAFF TALK

20 minute presentations each morning on theme and staff related tasks to help build your 2022 book.

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PLAYLISTS

A customized playlist of recorded sessions will be available as a course of study for staffers to learn about design, writing, photography or leadership. Meetings each day with an instructor will address questions and provide feedback.

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LEARN AND EARN

20-minute recorded sessions on all things yearbook, ending in an assignment with the option for prizes.

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FAST TRACKS

5-minute recorded skill builders that finish with an assignment. Students then joined a 30-minute discussion to get more ideas and feedback on their work.

INTRO TO YBK

Those brand new to staff will find instruction for building a spread in eDesign or InDesign, writing stories and taking photos.

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PHOTOJOURNALISM TRACK

Special courses are available for photographers to learn about their digital cameras and how to use their phones for the best photo results.

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PRO-TIPS

Interviews with professional journalists, designers and/or photographers, some of whom may have gotten their start in high school yearbook.

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ROUNDTABLES

Evening discussions facilitated by our staff on grading, coverage, staff communication and building visibility for the yearbook program on campus and beyond.

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