Cultivating Kids Presents

2026
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 10–16 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 11–13
9:30 AM – 12:30 PM each day
3 DAYS · 3 HRS/DAY
📍
Location
CAMS
144 W Woodward Ave
Escondido, CA 92025
💰
2026 Summer Special
$120
Per session. Both sessions available.
🎒
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 10–16. Campers will be split into two groups — one for younger kids and one for older — with an intentional focus on cultivating each child based on their maturity and capability. This way, every camper gets the right level of challenge and attention to grow at their own pace.

AGES 10–16 BOYS & GIRLS CAMS STUDENTS NON-CAMS STUDENTS TOTAL BEGINNERS CURIOUS MINDS

A NOTE TO PARENTS

  • Campers are grouped by age — younger and older — so instruction matches each child's maturity and capability
  • 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. Complete the form below to register and pay — it covers everything we need to make sure your kiddo has the best experience possible.

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 and adjust the quantity at checkout accordingly.
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.
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