Division of Recreation to Offer Intro to Content Creation: Social Media, Marketing & PR! This Summer!! GRADES 6 - 12!

A hands-on, behind-the-scenes summer experience for middle schoolers and teens curious about the exciting world of social media, marketing, public relations and more!

This 2-week program will explore the basics of social media from content creation to personal branding, networking, and more!

Through interactive workshops and guest speakers, students will leave with both inspiration and knowledge.

"This summer promises to be exciting and we are thrilled to offer a new camp that will engage children and young adults in the exciting and fast paced world of social media, marketing and public relations." stated Pete Amadeo, Superintendent of Recreation.

Dates: Monday, July 21st to Thursday, July 31st. (No Camp on Fridays)

Location: Bayonne Ice Rink (2nd Floor Multi-Purpose Room)

Hours: 4:00pm - 6:00 pm

Grades: Students in grades 6th - 12th

Overall Goals

Help kids understand the digital creator world (from content creation to personal branding).

Teach them how to express themselves online in a safe, smart, and creative way.

An opportunity to chat with guest speakers that work in public relations, marketing, social media, influencer and more.

Give them hands-on experience behind the scenes of making content (videos, photos, podcasts, etc.).

Let them leave with a mini portfolio and a better sense of their own voice.

Draft Outline

Week 1: Foundation of Social Media, Content Creation + Personal Branding

Mon, July 21st: Introduction + Your Story
Tues, July 22nd: Building a Personal Brand
Wed, July 23rd: Content Types, Storytelling & Audience Awareness
Thurs, July 24th: The Truth About Being a Creator & Guest Speaker, Personal Growth & Public Speaking & Guest Speaker

Week 2: Business of social media, Planning + Networking

Mon, July 28th: Consistency, Planning & Content Pillars
Tues, July 29th: Filming Basics + Social Media Strategy 101
Wed, July 30th: Discipline vs. Motivation & Guest Speaker
Thurs, July 31st: Media Kit, Networking & Guest Speaker

Weekly Structure

Week 1: Foundation of social media, Content Creation + Personal Branding

Mon, July 21st: Introduction + Your Story

Icebreakers: Name, favorite content creator, what they love to do, etc.

Share your journey and how you got into social media

Talk about different platforms & types of creators (vloggers, fashion, sports, gaming, etc.)

Activity: Notebook/Vision Board/Mood Board (what would they post, dream career, who’s their dream partnership)

Tues, July 22nd: Building a Personal Brand + Having a Niche

What Is a Personal Brand? What do you want to be known for?

How it’s different from just having a page

How to Find Your Niche + Why Having a Niche Matters

Why every creator needs to know their “thing” and what’s a niche
Activity: Have them create a “Brand Map”

— includes their name, interests, niche, 3 words to describe themselves, and who they want to reach or design, a profile mock-up (poster board or digital)

Wed, July 23rd: Content Types, Storytelling & Audience Awareness
Teach them how content tells a story (short form vs long form, reels/TikTok vs YouTube)

Examples of trends, hooks, challenges

Who are you talking to? What do they like?

Importance of knowing your community, even if it’s small

Activity: Create a fake “target audience” profile (age, hobbies, what content they like). Match their own content ideas to it or script a short video idea

Thurs, July 24th: The Truth About Being a Creator & Guest Speaker
Mindset and long-term success

Share the ups and downs of content creation journey

Talk about “the boring work” no one sees

The importance of being authentic and not copying trends

Activity: “Behind-the-Scenes Wall” — write down everything they think happens behind one video (brainstorm, filming, editing, posting, comments, strategy)

Teach confidence on and off camera, voiceovers, elevator pitch practice

Activity: Practice introducing themselves as creators

Week 2: Business of social media, Planning + Networking
Mon, July 28th: Consistency, Planning & Content Pillars

Teach batching content, setting goals, and scheduling

Teach them to build 3–4 main topics that guide all their posts

Activity: Break into groups and brainstorm content pillars for

• a gaming creator
• a cooking creator
• a lifestyle creator
• a student creator

Activity: Content calendar activity – plan out one week of content ideas

Tues, July 29th: Filming Basics, Monetization + Social Media Strategy 101

Explain how creators make money (brand deals, YouTube ads, affiliate links)

Teach them how to use their phones or tablets, angles, lighting, and speaking clearly.

Basic editing (CapCut or in-app)
What does a content plan look like?
When/what to post (consistency vs. burnout)
Value > Virality
Activity: Brand partnership pitch roleplay – come up with a dream brand + pitch ideas or design a weekly content calendar on paper or Canva with post types, themes, and captions or create their first video! (TikTok-style or skit, depending on what they like)

Wed, July 30th: Growth, Discipline vs. Motivation & Guest Speaker

Talk about how growth works (followers, views, hashtags, engagement)
Teach them that being a creator is like a job.
Even when you don’t feel like it, discipline carries you.
Growth Without Going Viral.
Slow and steady growth mindset

Why consistency wins

Activity: Create a “My Future Self” letter where they write how sticking with discipline will help their future goals or Each camper writes out a 30-day content idea list (with help!) that would slowly grow their dream account

Thurs, July 31st: Media Kit, Networking & Guest Speaker/End of Camp wrap-up (brand gift bag)

Simplified version of what creators use to pitch brands

Support others, comment with kindness, be active

Teach the power of DMs and community building

Activity: Mock networking event — pair up and pretend you’re meeting another creator or brand rep.

Practice short intros and compliments! Or create a basic “ About Me + Stats + Sample Post” page using Canva (you can template this in advance)

Intro to Social Content will be lead by Pamela Valdez, content creator, entrepreneur, and founder of Valdez Agency, a Latina-founded media company focused on career, lifestyle, and content creation. She’s partnered with 150+ top brands such as Kate Spade NY, Apple, Microsoft, and Prada Beauty. Passionate about empowering Gen Z and students, Pamela creates free resources to help others thrive in college and beyond.

All registration will be done online.

Open to Bayonne Residents Only.

Spaces are limited.

https://register.capturepoint.com/CityofBayonne

For more information, please contact the Division of Recreation at 201-858-6127 or email BAYONNEREC@AOL.COM.