There’s a moment that changes everything — for a young person discovering a new talent, a community connecting around creativity, or a program finding its rhythm. For Content Creators Camp, that moment came not in year one, but in every year that followed. Over five seasons, this summer experience has become a launchpad for youth across Columbus, blending artistic expression, real-world skills, mentorship, and opportunity.
When Content Creators Camp debuted, it was a bold idea with humble wings — bring real content creation skills to teens who were curious, creative, and ready to explore. Hosted by Warhol & WALL ST. with partners across the city, the first cohort embraced storytelling, photography basics, and hands-on media exploration.
The goal wasn’t perfection — it was possibility. Youth explored cameras, articulated what they cared about, and introduced themselves to the idea that their voice could be more than social — it could be professional.
What Year 1 showed us:
Youth are hungry for applied creative education
Confidence grows fastest in practice, not lecture
Community recognition is built in collaboration
By the second season, the camp had found its wings. We dove deeper — introducing structured challenges, narrative techniques, and brand-building basics. Youth were not just learning tools, they were learning why those tools mattered in real spaces.
Workshops began incorporating:
Digital editing fundamentals
Audience engagement strategy
Team-based projects simulating real creative teams
Parents began to notice changes — teens talking about intentionality, audiences, and goals, not just likes and views.
Year 2 at a glance:
Intro to professional branding
Group content challenges with peers
Youth collaborated with experts to produce, design and launch a for youth by youth showcase at Breakaway Music Festival and The African American Male Wellness Walk.
By season three, the program was shaping into an ecosystem, not just a camp. Partnerships with creatives, small business owners, and community organizations blossomed. Guest speakers shared lived experiences and opened doors. Youth worked on real briefs and explored where creativity intersects with career potential.
Highlights included:
Field trips to working studios and agencies
Collaborative briefs with small local business partners
Workshops on audience analytics and content strategy
Season four was all about identity and voice. Youth weren’t just making content — they were learning to communicate who they are through their work.
That year introduced:
Personal Brand Manifestos
LinkedIn professional identity building
Strategic social media presence
Project-based teams solving real challenges
The camp increasingly felt like a career incubator — creativity and strategy, not creativity alone.
Year 4 Results:
Each youth came away with a polished LinkedIn profile
Many began freelancing or building business concepts
Peer-to-peer mentorship became a core culture
Season five consolidated all we’d learned — structure, partnerships, reflection, identity, and real outcomes — into the most refined version of the camp yet. Ran by the COED team and supported Warhol & WALL ST. and a powerful ecosystem of mentors, we witnessed:
100% Completion Rate: Every youth finished the program.
Participant Satisfaction: All participants rated the camp very good to excellent.
Parent Satisfaction: Every parent reported positive impact in confidence, creativity, and youth growth.
Youth learned advanced skills in AI tools, brand storytelling, content marketing, digital strategy, and career readiness.
Youth came collaborated with experts to produce, design and launch ContentCon III, a full community showcase event.
What Youth Said They Gained:
Confidence in their voice and vision
Understanding of creative career pathways
Professional digital presence
Real portfolio pieces to show future employers
Across five years, the camp evolved from a classroom experiment into a transformative experience — for youth, families, and the community.
What Changed:
Curriculum expanded to incorporate AI fundamentals
Partnerships grew to include business mentors, industry experts, and real employers
Youth outputs evolved from simple photos to strategic campaigns and professional portfolios
What Stayed True:
Youth-centered creativity
Safe, structured summer learning
Emphasis on confidence, community, and career relevance
We’re especially grateful to the incredible community supporters who helped make 5 seasons of Content Creator Camp, and ~100 youth upskilled, a reality (many located within the COED ecosystem):
City of Columbus: Department of Neighborhoods, Warhol & WALL ST., CHANGE economy, cleverDSRPT, Laroy Creative Group, Leap of Faith Media, Tailor Made Initiative, our AI Collaborators, Columbus Empowerment Corporation, The Freshest Events, First Family Fitness, Slink Productions, Works of Madness Apparel, Better Content With Bae, 614 Corporate Visuals by Ari, 614 Day Organizers, and the many guest speakers, mentors, and families who contributed.
In 2026, Content Creators Camp becomes even stronger under CPYDO’s lead. With a focused curriculum, broader partnerships, and deeper industry integration, we’re continuing the trend of youth empowerment through real work.
We’re not just teaching youth the tools for success in their creative journeys — we’re cultivating lifelong creative careers.
Goals for 2026 Youth Content Creators Include:
