Summer @ SA: Spooky Story Podcasting Camp

Dates: June 15-19, 2026

Time: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Ages: Current 5th - 8th graders

Cost: $500

It was a dark and stormy night…

How do you tell a great spooky story? In this camp, we will use our imaginations together, using the latest audio technology to write, record, produce, and edit original scary stories, turning them into podcasts to share with family and friends. Campers will work individually and/or in teams to record their voices, create sound effects, and compose background music. They'll then edit all the parts together to create one or more episodes of an original podcast. We'll end the week with a listening party for campers and their families!

Teacher: Spencer Nilsen

Spencer has a long history in music production and composition, media arts and education. Before coming to work as our Media Arts Specialist, Spencer helped to found Ex'pression College, in Emeryville. As the Program Director, he oversaw curriculum and taught in several subject areas, including Sound Arts, Media Design, Video and Filmmaking. In 2006, he became President of the college, and he guided it through significant growth until 2011. The following year, Spencer started a 3D animation and motion graphics company, Illumina Studios, which specialized in visual storytelling for cutting-edge scientific research firms, universities, government organizations, and entertainment companies such as Amyris, California Department of Public Health, Disney/Pixar, Old Navy, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, and many others.

Spencer also has a deep catalog of music compositions, including scores for film, tv, and video games.