UAE Media Summer Camp Marks 10 Years of Youth Training

Post by : Jyoti Singh

Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office

Media Summer Camp in UAE Celebrates 10 Years of Shaping Young Talent. The Creative Media Authority (CMA) has proudly announced the successful completion of the 10th edition of its well-known Media Summer Camp. This marks a full decade of inspiring and preparing the youth of the United Arab Emirates to take their first steps into the world of media, creativity, and storytelling.

Launched in 2016, the Media Summer Camp was created with a clear vision — to help young children learn about the media field and understand how they can be part of it in the future. Since then, it has grown into one of the country’s most important platforms for introducing children to the exciting opportunities that exist in the media world.

Why Was the Camp Started?

The camp was started to give young children — especially those between the ages of 8 and 12— a chance to explore media from a young age. The idea was to plant the seeds of creativity early on and help them imagine a future in which they could become storytellers, presenters, filmmakers, producers, or even launch their projects.

The people behind the camp believed that the media field is not just for grown-ups. They saw that children too have ideas, talent, and energy. All they needed was the right environment to discover their potential and grow.

Over the past 10 years, more than 390 children have taken part in the camp. It is also important to note that 77 per cent of these children are Emirati, which shows the strong national focus of the programme.

What Has the Camp Achieved?

According to Mohamed Dobay, the Acting Director-General of CMA, this summer camp is a key part of the country’s efforts to build a strong and modern creative sector.

He said: The Media Summer Camp has become a cornerstone of our efforts to build a future-ready creative sector. Reaching our tenth edition reflects the UAE’s long-term commitment to nurturing local talent and inspiring the next generation to view the media industry as a space for opportunity, innovation, and national pride.

The camp has not only grown in size but also in the way it teaches and connects with children. What started as a small initiative for younger children now also includes older youth, aged between 12 and 15, thanks to an expansion in 2020.

In 2021, the camp took an even bigger step by inviting students from other countries such as Bahrain, Egypt, and Ethiopia, through a partnership with the Office of Cultural and Public Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This helped make the programme international and gave the young participants a chance to meet others from different cultures.

Who Helped Make It Possible?

The success of the Media Summer Camp is not only because of CMA. It has been made stronger through many valuable partnerships.

Some of the organisations that have worked with the camp include:

• Abu Dhabi Media Network

• CNN

• Bidaya Media

• Korean Cultural Centre

• Ubisoft

• twofour54

• Sandstorm Comics

In more recent years, new names have joined as well, such as:

• IMI Media Academy

• E-Stars

• Abu Dhabi Gaming

• Al Naliyah Podcast

These organisations have helped in many ways — by sharing their knowledge, bringing experts, and guiding the students in workshops and training sessions.

Volunteers and Alumni Make a Big Impact

One of the most beautiful parts of the programme is the volunteer community it has created. To date, 217 volunteers have taken part in the camp. Many of them are former students who returned to help younger participants. This shows the lasting connection the camp builds with its students.

Some former participants of the camp have gone on to achieve amazing things. For example:

• Some became presenters on Majid TV

• Others went on to study media in college

• Some even started their creative businesses

This is proof that the camp’s impact is not just for a short time. It leaves a strong and lasting mark on the lives of those who join.

Tenth Year Celebration

To celebrate this big milestone, CMA invited back past students, longtime partners, and community mentors who have played important roles in the journey of the camp. The 10th edition also came at a special time, during the Year of Community, which highlights the UAE’s values of unity, respect, kindness, and hospitality.

During this year’s camp, many of the training sessions focused on these national values. The goal was not only to teach media skills but also to remind young people of the importance of culture, family, and working together.

A Message from Talent Director

Aysha Al Jneibi, the Director of Talent Management at CMA, explained how the programme continues to help children believe in themselves.

She said: From the beginning, this programme has been about encouraging young people to explore their creative potential. By giving them the tools to experiment with storytelling, production and collaboration at this age, we are cultivating the skills and confidence that shape future media professionals, a legacy the programme proudly upholds.

Her words reflect the core idea behind the camp that by giving children a chance to try new things, learn useful skills, and meet new people, we help shape their futures in positive and meaningful ways.

What Makes This Camp Special?

Here are some of the reasons why this camp is unique and loved by so many:

• It starts early: Children as young as 8 years old are invited to learn about media.

• It grows with the child: As they get older, they can continue to learn and take part.

• It is hands-on: The camp is full of activities like filming, storytelling, editing, and presenting.

• It connects people: Students meet media experts, famous creators, and other students with the same dreams.

• It supports dreams: Many alumni say the camp gave them the courage to follow their passion.

• It builds a community: Volunteers and mentors return each year, passing on what they learned.

The UAE’s Media Summer Camp, now in its tenth successful year, is a shining example of what can happen when young people are given a space to grow, express themselves, and explore their talents. What started in 2016 as a small effort to help children understand the world of media has become a large, national programme that continues to grow every year.

The camp has shaped hundreds of young lives, created future leaders, and built a strong community of learners and teachers. As the Creative Media Authority looks forward to future editions, one thing is clear — the Media Summer Camp will continue to be a place where imagination meets opportunity, and where the next generation of creative minds is born