Outside The Lens Youth Media Arts Programs and Camps
Outside The Lens, 125 14th Street, San Diego, CA 92101
About
Outside The Lens Youth Media Arts Programs and Camps offers hands-on media arts activities that include photography, filmmaking, design, animation, and illustration. Participants take part in projects such as developing photography skills, creating compelling graphics, and working on animation and illustration. The program also includes a dance videography workshop and other media arts activities.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Teen Media Arts Studio sessions are listed on Wednesdays from 3:30pm–5:30pm on January 28th, February 4th, and February 11th, 2026
• Price: 10% sibling and military discount available
Outside The Lens Youth Media Arts Programs and Camps offers media arts summer camps in San Diego for K–8 campers, where equipment and snacks are provided. Need based scholarships are available, and high school students have volunteer opportunities at the summer camps. Summer apprentices collaborate closely with a Lead Media Educator. The programs meet California’s Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) learning standards, National Core Arts Standards, and core curriculum requirements, and out-of-school time and extended learning programs offer a safe and stimulating environment. Media Makers engages young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), and this program launched in 2021 and has served more than 80 individuals with I/DD. In 2023, Outside The Lens hosted more than 40 design jams, showcases, and exhibitions, provided training and support for more than 100 teachers, and approximately 160 students and 6 educators learned Adobe Creative Suite. Voice Out: A Youth Media Arts Exhibition showcases youth voices and perspectives, and the Sherman Storytellers project uses photography and documentary film techniques to capture Día de los Muertos traditions.
Since 2001, Outside The Lens has reached more than 27,000 youth. In 2023, programs served 2,439 students across 37 sites including schools, community centers, and partners. Outside The Lens is part of the Live Well San Diego movement, has partnered with Sherman Heights Community Center since 2017, and has collaborated with San Diego City College for a Puente Project film project. More than 225 community members attended Voice Out: A Youth Media Arts Exhibition. Outside The Lens was awarded a California Arts Council Arts and Youth Grant, and June 18th has been recognized by San Diego County Supervisors as “Outside the Lens Day.” The organization’s Executive Director is Sarah Beckman. The mission of Outside The Lens in San Diego is to ignite confidence in young people to pursue creative pathways and drive social change through the transformative power of media arts.
Testimonials describe experiences in photography, mentoring, and media arts. One participant, Asukulu, shared a goal to become a better photographer and a mentor to other kids in Outside The Lens programs. Media Makers Intern Eleanor Taylor stated that, with the help of photography, she found a purpose and a way to impact others, and that photography brings out emotions and starts conversations that are pathways to positive change. Geena described how Outside The Lens helped combine a passion for dance with photography and supported telling stories using a camera, including capturing the beauty of movement and spending time with artists and professionals. Parent Alison Carmon shared that staff truly care about participants, that her child Kaedyn learned animation skills and social skills, and that Kaedyn began speaking up more and taking on leadership roles. She also noted that staff nurtured Kaedyn’s talents, that the environment is safe and without judgment, that Kaedyn can explore creative experiences there, and that communication between staff and parents is outstanding.
Last updated March 14, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Teen Media Arts Studio sessions are listed on Wednesdays from 3:30pm–5:30pm on January 28th, February 4th, and February 11th, 2026
• Price: 10% sibling and military discount available
Outside The Lens Youth Media Arts Programs and Camps offers media arts summer camps in San Diego for K–8 campers, where equipment and snacks are provided. Need based scholarships are available, and high school students have volunteer opportunities at the summer camps. Summer apprentices collaborate closely with a Lead Media Educator. The programs meet California’s Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) learning standards, National Core Arts Standards, and core curriculum requirements, and out-of-school time and extended learning programs offer a safe and stimulating environment. Media Makers engages young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), and this program launched in 2021 and has served more than 80 individuals with I/DD. In 2023, Outside The Lens hosted more than 40 design jams, showcases, and exhibitions, provided training and support for more than 100 teachers, and approximately 160 students and 6 educators learned Adobe Creative Suite. Voice Out: A Youth Media Arts Exhibition showcases youth voices and perspectives, and the Sherman Storytellers project uses photography and documentary film techniques to capture Día de los Muertos traditions.
Since 2001, Outside The Lens has reached more than 27,000 youth. In 2023, programs served 2,439 students across 37 sites including schools, community centers, and partners. Outside The Lens is part of the Live Well San Diego movement, has partnered with Sherman Heights Community Center since 2017, and has collaborated with San Diego City College for a Puente Project film project. More than 225 community members attended Voice Out: A Youth Media Arts Exhibition. Outside The Lens was awarded a California Arts Council Arts and Youth Grant, and June 18th has been recognized by San Diego County Supervisors as “Outside the Lens Day.” The organization’s Executive Director is Sarah Beckman. The mission of Outside The Lens in San Diego is to ignite confidence in young people to pursue creative pathways and drive social change through the transformative power of media arts.
Testimonials describe experiences in photography, mentoring, and media arts. One participant, Asukulu, shared a goal to become a better photographer and a mentor to other kids in Outside The Lens programs. Media Makers Intern Eleanor Taylor stated that, with the help of photography, she found a purpose and a way to impact others, and that photography brings out emotions and starts conversations that are pathways to positive change. Geena described how Outside The Lens helped combine a passion for dance with photography and supported telling stories using a camera, including capturing the beauty of movement and spending time with artists and professionals. Parent Alison Carmon shared that staff truly care about participants, that her child Kaedyn learned animation skills and social skills, and that Kaedyn began speaking up more and taking on leadership roles. She also noted that staff nurtured Kaedyn’s talents, that the environment is safe and without judgment, that Kaedyn can explore creative experiences there, and that communication between staff and parents is outstanding.
Last updated March 14, 2026.
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