Outside The Lens Youth Media Arts Programs and Camps
Outside The Lens, 13094 Civic Center Dr, Poway, CA 92064
About
Outside The Lens Youth Media Arts Programs and Camps offers photography, filmmaking, design, animation, mixed media, street photography, environmental portraiture, landscape photography, photojournalism, and storytelling activities. Participants work with lighting, framing, capturing and developing film, alternative photographic processes, dance videography, and mixed media projects, and they engage in creating graphics, animation and illustration, curriculum slides, and planning activities through hands-on media arts activities.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Summer camps meet Monday–Friday in 5-day sessions, with options such as 9:00am–12:00pm or 1:00pm–4:00pm
• Price: $225–$258 per summer camp session; 10% sibling and military discount available
Since 2001, Outside The Lens has reached more than 27,000 youth and, in 2026, celebrates 25 years of youth storytellers. The organization’s mission is to ignite confidence in young people to pursue creative pathways and drive social change through the power of media arts. OTL’s Media Makers program launched in 2021 and has served more than 80 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In 2023, OTL’s programs served 2,439 students across 37 sites and provided training and support for more than 100 teachers, and approximately 160 students and 6 educators built technical skills learning Adobe Creative Suite. Outside The Lens hosted more than 40 design jams, showcases, and exhibitions in 2023, including Voice Out, a juried youth media arts exhibition that drew more than 225 community members, and invites the community to Voice Out 2026, its third annual juried youth arts exhibition. Outside The Lens collaborates with the Sherman Heights Community Center on projects that highlight Mexican-American culture and has done so since 2017. Outside The Lens was awarded a California Arts Council Arts and Youth grant of $20,500 as part of its Arts and Youth program during the 2025–26 fiscal year grant cycle. Equipment and snacks are provided at the media arts summer camps, need-based scholarships are available, and high school student volunteers can support summer camps and learn more about media arts education. Outside The Lens offers K–8 programs, teens and transitional age youth programs, educator trainings, summer camps, community workshops, in-school programs that meet California’s Visual and Performing Arts learning standards and National Core Arts Standards, and out-of-school time and extended learning programs. Teen Media Arts Studio sessions provide hands-on experience with industry standard equipment, software, and mentorship with professional artists, including events such as Teen Media Arts Studio – Family Saturday and weekday studio sessions. Summer apprentices at OTL collaborate closely with a Lead Media Educator to deliver experiences at summer camps, and programs are guided by Media Educators. The organization is led by Executive Director Sarah Beckman and is calling on the San Diego City Council to restore arts and culture grant funding in full before the fiscal year 2027 budget is adopted on June 9.
Outside The Lens hosted Voice Out: A Youth Media Arts Exhibition and invites families and educators to a free Open House at its headquarters featuring hands-on media arts activities, food, and a chance to see films, photography, and other artwork created by local youth. The summer camp refund and cancellation policy allows refunds within 5 days of registration with a 10% processing fee, OTL may cancel classes due to low enrollment with full reimbursement, and OTL does not provide refunds or makeup sessions for camps missed as a result of illness, emergencies, or events beyond their control.
Youth and parent testimonials describe experiences in Outside The Lens programs. A youth participant, Asukulu, shared a desire to keep improving as a photographer and to be a mentor to other kids in OTL programs. Media Makers Intern Eleanor Taylor described finding purpose and a way to impact others through photography. Former Youth Council member Geena described combining a passion for dance with photography and storytelling, and spending time with artists and professionals at OTL. Parent Alison Carmon described staff care, Kaedyn’s growth in animation and social skills, increased leadership, and appreciation for the environment, creative experiences, and communication between staff and parents.
Last updated June 16, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Summer camps meet Monday–Friday in 5-day sessions, with options such as 9:00am–12:00pm or 1:00pm–4:00pm
• Price: $225–$258 per summer camp session; 10% sibling and military discount available
Since 2001, Outside The Lens has reached more than 27,000 youth and, in 2026, celebrates 25 years of youth storytellers. The organization’s mission is to ignite confidence in young people to pursue creative pathways and drive social change through the power of media arts. OTL’s Media Makers program launched in 2021 and has served more than 80 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In 2023, OTL’s programs served 2,439 students across 37 sites and provided training and support for more than 100 teachers, and approximately 160 students and 6 educators built technical skills learning Adobe Creative Suite. Outside The Lens hosted more than 40 design jams, showcases, and exhibitions in 2023, including Voice Out, a juried youth media arts exhibition that drew more than 225 community members, and invites the community to Voice Out 2026, its third annual juried youth arts exhibition. Outside The Lens collaborates with the Sherman Heights Community Center on projects that highlight Mexican-American culture and has done so since 2017. Outside The Lens was awarded a California Arts Council Arts and Youth grant of $20,500 as part of its Arts and Youth program during the 2025–26 fiscal year grant cycle. Equipment and snacks are provided at the media arts summer camps, need-based scholarships are available, and high school student volunteers can support summer camps and learn more about media arts education. Outside The Lens offers K–8 programs, teens and transitional age youth programs, educator trainings, summer camps, community workshops, in-school programs that meet California’s Visual and Performing Arts learning standards and National Core Arts Standards, and out-of-school time and extended learning programs. Teen Media Arts Studio sessions provide hands-on experience with industry standard equipment, software, and mentorship with professional artists, including events such as Teen Media Arts Studio – Family Saturday and weekday studio sessions. Summer apprentices at OTL collaborate closely with a Lead Media Educator to deliver experiences at summer camps, and programs are guided by Media Educators. The organization is led by Executive Director Sarah Beckman and is calling on the San Diego City Council to restore arts and culture grant funding in full before the fiscal year 2027 budget is adopted on June 9.
Outside The Lens hosted Voice Out: A Youth Media Arts Exhibition and invites families and educators to a free Open House at its headquarters featuring hands-on media arts activities, food, and a chance to see films, photography, and other artwork created by local youth. The summer camp refund and cancellation policy allows refunds within 5 days of registration with a 10% processing fee, OTL may cancel classes due to low enrollment with full reimbursement, and OTL does not provide refunds or makeup sessions for camps missed as a result of illness, emergencies, or events beyond their control.
Youth and parent testimonials describe experiences in Outside The Lens programs. A youth participant, Asukulu, shared a desire to keep improving as a photographer and to be a mentor to other kids in OTL programs. Media Makers Intern Eleanor Taylor described finding purpose and a way to impact others through photography. Former Youth Council member Geena described combining a passion for dance with photography and storytelling, and spending time with artists and professionals at OTL. Parent Alison Carmon described staff care, Kaedyn’s growth in animation and social skills, increased leadership, and appreciation for the environment, creative experiences, and communication between staff and parents.
Last updated June 16, 2026.
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