Cultivating Kids Presents

SUMMER
PHOTO CAMP

Three days. A real DSLR in your hands. Skills that stick. This isn't arts and crafts — this is learning to see the world differently and tell its story.

AGES 10–14 BEGINNERS WELCOME NO CAMERA NEEDED ESCONDIDO, CA
Grab Your Spot See the Dates
20
Professional DSLR cameras provided — no gear required
$120
2026 Summer Special per session — real skills, real value
3+3
Three days, three hours each — focused, fun, and not a minute wasted

What You'll Discover

MORE THAN PRETTY PICTURES

Photography is one of those rare skills that lives at the corner of art, technology, storytelling, and entrepreneurship — all at once. It's the kind of thing that quietly changes how you notice the world around you.

"Every kiddo walks out knowing what the exposure triangle actually means. And more importantly — they walk out with photos they're genuinely proud of."

Each camp is 3 days x 3 hours. We put a real DSLR in every camper's hands from day one. No experience needed, no camera required. Just bring curiosity and a willingness to try something new.

We keep it small, hands-on, and real. Every session includes unique creative challenges designed to draw out the specific artistic instincts each kid already has — they just might not know it yet.

01
DSLR Foundations

Get comfortable with a real camera — buttons, dials, and all. No more guessing what anything does.

02
Manual Mode Mastery

We take the training wheels off. Understanding manual mode is the difference between hoping a photo turns out and making it happen.

03
The Exposure Triangle

ISO, aperture, and shutter speed — the holy trinity of photography. Once it clicks, it never un-clicks.

04
Composition & the Artist's Eye

Rules of thirds, leading lines, framing — the invisible architecture behind every great photo.

05
Creative Challenges

Each camp's unique prompts push campers to explore their own creative instincts and signature style.

The Details

MARK THE CALENDAR

SESSION ONE

July 28–30
9:30 AM – 12:30 PM each day
3 DAYS · 3 HRS/DAY

SESSION TWO

August 4–6
9:30 AM – 12:30 PM each day
3 DAYS · 3 HRS/DAY
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Location
CAMS
144 W Woodward Ave
Escondido, CA 92025
💰
2026 Summer Special
$120
Per session. Both sessions available. Sibling discounts — ask us!
🎒
What to Bring
Just you!
20 DSLR cameras provided. Wear comfy clothes. Bring a snack and water. Leave the rest to us.

Who's This For?

EVERY KID IS WELCOME

You don't need a camera. You don't need experience. You don't even need to know what aperture means yet (that's literally what we're here for).

This camp is open to CAMS students and non-CAMS students alike — boys, girls, curious kids of every background. If your kiddo has ever held a phone up to take a picture and thought "I wonder how that actually works" — they're going to love this.

We've designed this for ages 10–14, the sweet spot where kids are ready to handle real creative challenges but still think learning is actually fun (we intend to keep it that way).

AGES 10–14 BOYS & GIRLS CAMS STUDENTS NON-CAMS STUDENTS TOTAL BEGINNERS CURIOUS MINDS

A NOTE TO PARENTS

  • Your child will handle a professional DSLR camera — supervised at all times
  • Sessions are 3 hours — long enough to go deep, short enough to keep energy high
  • Small group setting means real attention, not a crowd
  • Every camper leaves with skills they can actually use — and photos to prove it
  • This is a Cultivating Kids program. We believe deeply in giving kids tools that build more than just a portfolio — we're building thinkers, creators, and young storytellers
"If we do not steward this generation's attention and imagination, we risk a future of underdeveloped creativity and disengaged communities."
— David Brooks, Columnist

Ready to Shoot?

REGISTER YOUR CAMPER

Spots fill fast and we cap enrollment to keep it personal. Fill out the form below — it takes about 5 minutes and covers everything we need to make sure your kiddo has the best experience possible.

Session Selection

Camper Information

Photography Experience

Primary Parent / Guardian

Secondary Emergency Contact

Pickup Authorization

Photography & Media Consent

Medical Information

Medical Treatment Authorization

Physician Information

Behavioral & Special Needs

Sunscreen & Outdoor Activity

Liability Waiver & Release

Please read the full waiver carefully before signing.

Cultivating Kids Photography Summer Camp — Participant Agreement, Release of Liability, and Waiver

In consideration of being permitted to participate in the Cultivating Kids Photography Summer Camp ("Program"), held at CAMS, 144 W Woodward Ave, Escondido, CA 92025, I/we, the parent(s) and/or legal guardian(s) of the minor child named in this registration ("Participant"), agree to the following terms:

1. DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES

The Program involves photography instruction and practice, use of DSLR cameras and related equipment provided by Cultivating Kids, indoor and outdoor creative challenges, and general youth programming. Activities may take place both indoors and in outdoor areas on and around the CAMS campus.

2. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RISKS

I acknowledge that participation in the Program involves certain inherent risks, including but not limited to: physical injury from activity, equipment use, or interaction with other participants; exposure to weather conditions; and general risks associated with group youth programming. I confirm that the Participant is in adequate health to participate and that I have disclosed all relevant medical information in this registration form.

3. RELEASE OF LIABILITY

In exchange for the opportunity to participate in the Program, I, on behalf of myself, the Participant, and our heirs, assigns, and legal representatives, hereby release, waive, discharge, and covenant not to sue Cultivating Kids, its directors, officers, employees, volunteers, instructors, and agents (collectively, "Released Parties") from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, and causes of action whatsoever, arising out of or related to any loss, damage, or injury, including death, that may be sustained by the Participant while participating in the Program or on the premises of CAMS, to the fullest extent permitted by California law.

4. INDEMNIFICATION

I agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Released Parties from any loss, liability, damage, or costs they may incur due to the Participant's participation in the Program, whether caused by negligence or otherwise, to the extent permitted under California law.

5. EQUIPMENT USE

I understand that the Participant will be entrusted with professional DSLR camera equipment during the Program. I agree to be financially responsible for any intentional or grossly negligent damage to equipment caused by the Participant. Reasonable wear or accidental drops during supervised activity are expected and covered.

6. MEDIA RELEASE

Unless I have indicated otherwise in this registration, I grant Cultivating Kids permission to photograph or video record the Participant during Program activities for use in promotional materials, social media, newsletters, and related Program communications. Cultivating Kids will exercise discretion and care in the use of all such media.

7. CODE OF CONDUCT

I agree to ensure the Participant adheres to Cultivating Kids' standards of respectful behavior. Disruptive or dangerous behavior may result in dismissal from the Program without refund. I understand that Cultivating Kids staff have authority to make reasonable conduct decisions in the moment.

8. REFUND POLICY

Cancellations made 7 or more days before the first day of the registered session will receive a full refund minus a $15 processing fee. Cancellations made within 7 days of the session start date are non-refundable. In the event Cultivating Kids cancels a session, a full refund will be issued.

9. GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California. Any disputes arising under this Agreement shall be resolved in San Diego County, California.

10. ACKNOWLEDGMENT

By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read this Agreement in its entirety, that I fully understand its terms, and that I am signing it freely and voluntarily on behalf of the minor Participant. I confirm that I am the legal parent or guardian of the Participant.

Parent / Guardian Signature — Please sign in the box below using your mouse or touchscreen.

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2026 SUMMER SPECIAL
CAMS · Escondido, CA · 3 days x 3 hours
$120
per session · payment collected at camp
🎉

You're In!

Welcome to Cultivating Kids Photography Summer Camp! We'll send a confirmation to your email shortly. In the meantime, mark those dates — your kiddo's camera journey starts soon.

Questions? Reach us at www.cultivatingkids.org

Good Questions

WE'VE HEARD THESE BEFORE

Do I need to own a camera?
Absolutely not. We provide 20 professional DSLR cameras — one for each camper. Show up empty-handed and leave with a head full of skills.
My kid has zero experience. Is that okay?
More than okay — it's kind of ideal. Beginners are our favorite because they haven't picked up any bad habits yet. Every concept builds on the last and we start from absolute zero.
Can my child attend both sessions?
Yes! Each session has its own unique creative challenges, so attending both is a great way to deepen the skills. Register separately for each. Contact us about any sibling or multi-session accommodations.
What if my child needs to leave early or arrive late?
Life happens — we get it. Just give us a heads up in your registration notes or shoot us a message. The sessions are designed to build on each other, so consistent attendance is encouraged, but we'll work with your family.
What should my child wear / bring?
Comfortable clothes they can move around in, a water bottle, and a snack. That's it. We provide everything else. If they happen to have a personal camera they love, they're welcome to bring it, but it's not necessary.
Is there a sibling discount?
We believe in keeping families together in good work. Reach out to us directly at cultivatingkids.org and we'll work something out.
Will my child's photos be shared publicly?
Only with your explicit consent, which you can indicate during registration. We may use program photos (of activities, of cameras in action) for promotional purposes, but your child's images belong to them.
Is this connected to a school or a church program?
Cultivating Kids is an independent program held at CAMS. It's open to all families, regardless of school or background. We're just here to cultivate great kids and great craft.

Find Us

WHERE TO GO

CAMS
Classical Academy Middle School

144 W Woodward Ave
Escondido, CA 92025

Drop-off and pick-up at the main entrance. Doors open at 9:15 AM. Sessions run 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM sharp.

Free parking available on-site.

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📍

144 W Woodward Ave
Escondido, CA 92025

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Questions? We're here.

Reach out directly to Cultivating Kids founder and camp director Laura Moore at contact@laurakmoore.com

Laura Moore — Cultivating Kids Founder & Camp Director

Est. 2008

Meet Your Camp Director

LAURA MOORE

Founder, Cultivating Kids — Professional Photographer, Educator & Mom of Three

Laura Moore is the kind of person who can spot the best light in a room, find the story in a stranger's face, and somehow make a 12-year-old genuinely excited about ISO settings — all before lunch. She's been a professional photographer for over a decade, working with weddings, brands, families, and editorial clients across San Diego, Arizona, Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico, New England, the Philippines, and beyond.

But photography is really just one chapter of a bigger story. Laura is a mom of 3 teenagers whom she's raised with a deep belief that cultivating the child takes deep attention, creative thoughtfulness, and intentional opportunity. As a former middle school educator, she has seen the impact of leaning into craft and art and activity with energy and curiosity — modeling the kind of learner we need in tomorrow's leaders.

Cultivating Kids was born from that conviction — that the next generation doesn't need more screen time, they need more creative responsibility. More challenge. More craft. More shepherding of interests and exposure to opportunities to serve.

Photography camp is where Laura's two worlds collide: professional-grade skills, delivered with the warmth of someone who genuinely cares about kids as well as the quality of their craft. Every session Laura runs is designed to push, encourage, and unlock kids' ability to create and see the world around them differently.

Have questions? Laura reads every email personally.

contact@laurakmoore.com www.laurakmoore.com →
View Laura's Photography Portfolio