Outdoor Filmmaking Camp: Connecting with Nature Through Film and Advocacy
This immersive, hands-on camp is for teens who want to forge a deeper connection with nature through a combination of direct experience and the arts.
During the week of the camp—a collaboration between the Tucson Village Farm and the Fox Tucson Theatre—participants will head into Southern Arizona’s most inspiring landscapes, including field trips to the Santa Ritas and Mt. Lemmon. There they will put into practice the arts techniques and understandings that they will be learning from filmmakers, writers, and environmental advocates, developing skills ranging from creative communication and cinematography to audio recording and editing.
The week culminates in an unforgettable experience: campers’ films showcased on the big screen at the iconic Fox Theatre, where Tucsonans have come to see major movies for almost 100 years! Participants will leave with two bite-sized films that pack a punch, other opportunities to share their films in the community, and the ability to continue making powerful movies with just their phones!
Perfect for teens who love film, nature, or both, this camp empowers participants to turn their ideas into impactful stories. No filmmaking experience is required—just curiosity, creativity, and a desire to connect with nature and make a difference through art.
**Location: Drop off and pick up will be at Fox Theater, 17 W Congress St, we will provide transportation for the 2 off campus at Mt. Lemmon and The Santa Ritas
Ages: 14 - 18
Dates: June 8 - June 12
Time: 9am - 4pm
Cost: $360
Register here for Film Camp 2026.
If you have additional questions that are not covered in the FAQ below,
please reach out to our Camp Coordinator Moonie at ces-tvfcamps@arizona.edu
Frequently Asked Questions:
This camp is for teens entering 9th through 12th grade who are interested in film, nature, and creative storytelling. No prior filmmaking experience is required.
All drop-off and pick-up take place at the Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W Congress St.
Parents and guardians may use the loading area in front of the Fox main entrance.
Even on field trip days to Mt. Lemmon and the Santa Rita Mountains, campers will still be dropped off and picked up at the Fox Theatre.
Campers will participate in an immersive mix of outdoor exploration and creative media work, including:
- Visiting inspiring Southern Arizona landscapes
- Learning filmmaking techniques from professional filmmakers, writers, and environmental advocates
- Practicing storytelling, creative communication, cinematography, audio recording, and editing
- Creating short films using accessible tools
The week ends with a special screening of campers’ films on the big screen at the historic Fox Tucson Theatr
Each participant will leave with:
- Two short, high impact films
- Experience sharing their work with a live audience
Skills to continue making meaningful films
No. This camp is beginner friendly and welcomes all experience levels. Curiosity, creativity, and interest in nature and storytelling are the only requirements.
Is this camp more focused on film or nature?
Both. The camp blends outdoor environmental experiences with creative filmmaking and storytelling and is a great fit for teens who love film, nature, or both.
This is one of the only Tucson Village Farm camps that intentionally allows phone use.
Campers will learn how to use a mobile filmmaking app to shoot and edit their films, giving them hands-on experience with professional storytelling tools on a device they already know and use. By working with their own phones, campers are more likely to continue creating films long after camp ends.
Safe, responsible, and respectful device use is woven into the curriculum. There will still be designated screen free moments, and at times campers will be asked to put phones in airplane mode to stay focused and present.
Our goal is to treat the phone as a creative tool, not a distraction, while encouraging deep connection with nature.
Campers will take part in two off campus field trips:
- A visit to Florida Station at the Santa Rita Experimental Range, the oldest continuously studied rangeland in the world
- A trip to Mt. Lemmon, where changing ecosystems and dramatic landscapes offer rich opportunities for filming and storytelling
Yes. Transportation to Mt. Lemmon and the Santa Rita Mountains will be provided. Campers will still begin and end each day at the Fox Theatre.
No, please send your camper with lunch and snacks daily.
You will receive a detailed email one week before camp begins with drop-off instructions, what to bring, and daily logistics.
We do not offer before or after care.
Please ensure your camper arrives no more than 10 minutes before the camp start time.
If you are more than 5 minutes late for pick-up, please call Liz at 520-241-0695
- Full refund if cancelled 30 days before the camp start date
- 50 percent refund if cancelled up to 14 days before the camp start date
- No refunds thereafter
Yes. To join the waitlist, please email ces-tvfcamps@arizona.edu with:
- Camper’s name
- Age
- Date of birth
- Food allergies
- Parent or guardian name
- Phone number
- Email address
You will be added to the waitlist in the order emails are received. We will contact you if a spot becomes available.
No. We reserve enough spots to accommodate scholarship requests.
Scholarship applications open March 2. The application deadline is March 9.
Families will be notified by March 31st.
On Friday at 3:30 pm, campers will celebrate their work with a community screening at the Fox Tucson Theatre. Friends, family, and supporters are welcome.
Please register through our Eventbrite page.
If you have questions not answered in the FAQ above, please contact:
Liz Sparks
esparks@arizona.edu
