ReFOCUS Youth Media Camp

• Understanding the World We Live In: A social Communications Orientation of Media & Values

Why a ReFOCUS Media Youth Camp?

One dominant aspect of mass media is that it largely presents an orientation that life is mainly about being entertained. This entertainment promotes a "feel good" lifestyle, to the exclusion of other ways of feeling good. This lifestyle is supported by products and services that are mostly branded. Through symbolic meanings, product advertisements induce consumers to make choices of particular brands. These symbolic meanings encourage choice-making on the basis of certain value orientations are, nor what their impact is on us, on our community and on nature.

The ReFOCUS Youth Media Camp initiates a process of examining our value orientations through a number of exciting activities.

Objectives

a. To critically reflect on the world we live in

b. To critically examine the world of mass media, especially in relation to entertainment

c. To analyse the symbolic meanings and values promoted by mass-mediated entertainment

d. To understand the implications of these meanings and values

e. To identify the gap between the mass-mediated values and

Gospel values we believe in

f. To explore alternatives to entertainment and the "good life."

PROGRAMME CONTENT

• Understanding the World We Live In
• Music & Dance
• MTV Forum
• Making MTV
• MTV & Family
• Product Association
• Brand Cultures
• Impact of Choices
• Ideal World
• Making Responsible Choices

Methodology

The ReFOCUS Youth Media Camp will be activity-driven, with music & MTV clips, MTV production, selection of images, skits, visual presentations, drawing, fashion parade, pledge-taking and other fun-oriented activities. Every activity will be followed by processing (reflection, review and lessons learnt).

Who Should Attend

• Students preparing for sacrament of Confirmation
• Forms 5 & 6 (Lower & Upper) students
• School Leavers
• College & University Students
• Parish Youth Leaders & Groups
• Parish Communication Ministries

Duration

The duration of the ReFOCUS Youth Media Camp is about 48 hours, held over 3 days. Participants check-in on Friday evening and check-out on Sunday evening. The Camp is usually held during the school holidays.

What You Will Benefit

• Acquire critical & reflective skills
• Understand mass media & consumer society
• Evaluate mass-media values
• Recognise the difference between mass-media values and Gospel values
• Reflect on making responsible choices
• Think 'alternatively' and 'out of the box'
• Make new friends
• Learn to be a team player

OVERVIEW OF ReFOCUS CAMP


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