Coaching the next generation of creative minds.

Expanding the career possibilities for Detroit youth.

Coaching Detroit Forward is a Detroit-based nonprofit coaching the next generation of writers, photographers and creatives.

Through our camps and workshops, Detroit high school students get hands-on opportunities to explore creative industries and gain professional mentors in those fields. Each year, we publish students’ stories and photos in the award-winning Perspectives Magazine.

Photography Camp

Coaching Detroit Forward’s photography camp is designed to introduce high school students to the fundamental operations, techniques and vocabulary of digital photography. They are also exposed to the work of inspirational photographers past and present, and practice is a large part of this camp while exploring the outdoors on photo walks throughout downtown Detroit. The students each have their own camera to take photos focused on nature, architecture and people.

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Journalism Camp

Detroit high school students learn from the top journalists, editors, designers and photographers in Metro Detroit during this two-long camp. They’ll go out into the city to report and write their own stories on topics of their choice. At the end of the summer, their work is published in *Perspectives Magazine*.

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College Prep & Creative Workshops

We help high school students prepare for college by offering college essay writing workshops. Students also participate in select Detroit Writing Room workshops and events throughout the year.

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“Before this camp I didn’t know anything about photography besides the names of the three kings, but I had no idea how to use them. During the camp I learned the parts of the camera, how they work and how to use them. I also learned the different forms of composition and the different styles of photography.”

Bre’Anna Adkins, 2022 Beginner Photography Camp Student
"Prior to the Journalism Camp, I did not know much about the ethics and rules of journalism. After my two-week tenure, I walked away feeling confident in my skills to produce work that is able to inform and give voices to those who may otherwise be silent or silenced.

Christin Fluellen, 2022 Journalism Camp Student
“I adore the coaches at the photography camp. They were very helpful and welcoming. The photo walks were one of my favorite parts of the camp. This was great practice for understanding how to work the three kings and being able to photograph new scenery was nice.

Anna Sanchez, 2022 Beginner Photography Camp Student
"I highly recommend the Journalism Camp. I had no prior experience in journalism, but by the end of the camp, I was able to write an article I was really proud of! All the professors and journalists that taught us were professional and helpful. I learned how to interview, take pictures, and write how journalists do. When it came time for my article to be published, it was even republished by El Central Newspaper!"

Josue Mata, 2022 Journalism Camp Student
“The Journalism Camp was an incredible experience! I learned so much about the field of journalism and also got to know the secret ins and outs of the field. I met amazing people throughout the camp and got to connect with people nationwide. The most memorable part of the camp was having the opportunity to interview people. I was definitely nervous, but I received so much support and helpful tips from everyone. The Journalism Camp is amazing, and I encourage anyone interested to give it a try!”

Nadia Niha, 2020 Journalism Camp Student
“Being a part of the camp served as a wake-up call for the writer inside of me and has helped me with a story I’ve been struggling with for multiple years now. Luckily, I was able to open up my computer and begin writing with a new purpose and a stronger plan for writing the story. The camp is an experience that is amazing for furthering knowledge in the field of writing. I am super appreciative and grateful to have been a part of DWR Journalism Camp 2023. Thanks for letting me be a part of it and learn from and meet so many incredible people.”

Torrance Johnson, 2023 Journalism Camp Student
“My favorite part of the camp was learning new ways of taking pictures and making new friendships, while also seeing the perspectives of other students through their photography. I also enjoyed the editing process as I learned how to use the settings which transformed the way I saw editing and how I used it in my pictures.”

Natalia Guiterrez Contreras, 2023 Advanced Photography Camp Student
“It was great to be here for all three camps. I really enjoyed it, and I would love to come and redo them all. The Detroit Writing Room and Coaching Detroit Forward camps were something I enjoyed a lot more than I thought I would.”

Natalia Garcia, 2023 Journalism Camp, Beginner Photography Camp & Advanced Photography Camp Student

Capturing the City through Photography

Interested in Coaching Detroit Forward’s Photography Camp? Check out the video to learn more about the free summer program for Detroit high school students. Read more about the program’s origin.