Rockbridge Alum Springs
Overview
Rockbridge Alum Springs is a premier overnight camp in Rockbridge, VA, hosting over 500 campers every week throughout the summer. I joined as a Videographer Intern with no prior camera experience — hired not for what I already knew, but for my ability to learn fast and my proven passion for technology. Before the summer began, I was flown out to a weekend training in California where I learned camera operation, shot composition, and video editing from the ground up. What followed was one of the most demanding and rewarding experiences of my career.
The Challenge
Every day at camp was a production deadline. I was responsible for the entire video program — solo — capturing hundreds of campers across activities, editing the footage, and delivering a finished recap video the same night it was filmed. With 500 new campers arriving each week, my goal was to make sure every single kid appeared on screen at least once. That constraint shaped everything: how I shot, how I moved through camp, and how I edited.
My Role
I independently owned every phase of production:
• Filmed using a Canon camera, GoPro, tripod, and DJI Mini Mic with interchangeable lenses
• Edited all footage in Final Cut Pro, developing a fast-paced, upbeat cutting style built around the camp's mission
• Submitted all videos for review before they were screened in front of the full camp audience each night
• Produced 4 promotional videos that will be shown to thousands of prospective campers ahead of next summer
• Tools: Canon Camera, GoPro, DJI Mini Mic, Final Cut Pro, Adobe Photoshop (thumbnails)
• Edited all footage in Final Cut Pro, developing a fast-paced, upbeat cutting style built around the camp's mission
• Submitted all videos for review before they were screened in front of the full camp audience each night
• Produced 4 promotional videos that will be shown to thousands of prospective campers ahead of next summer
• Tools: Canon Camera, GoPro, DJI Mini Mic, Final Cut Pro, Adobe Photoshop (thumbnails)
Process & Approach
The job demanded a clear system from the start. Each morning I mapped out which activities and areas of camp needed coverage to ensure every camper had a chance to appear on screen. Throughout the day I was constantly shooting — capturing candid moments, organized activities, and anything that reflected the energy of the week.
By evening, the clock started. Footage shot that day needed to become a finished, screened video by nightfall. I developed a quick-cut editing style that was high energy and mission-focused — less about cinematic perfection, more about capturing real moments that kids and counselors would recognize and celebrate. Every video went through a review with my supervisor before being shown to the full camp, ensuring quality and appropriateness at scale.
Over three months of 12-hour days, I produced 104 videos — daily recaps, weekly highlights, and promotional content — entirely on my own.
Featured Video
Below is one of the recap videos I produced during my time at Rockbridge. Every element — from the footage captured throughout the day to the final edit — was completed solo within the same evening it was filmed. This video is a direct reflection of the quick-cut, high-energy style I developed over the summer to capture the spirit of camp in a way that felt real and celebratory for every kid watching.
Going the Extra Mile — Custom Thumbnails
Producing the videos was the job. The thumbnails were something I added on my own. Using Adobe Photoshop, I designed custom thumbnails for each video — something that wasn't asked of me and wasn't part of the original role. I wanted every video to feel finished and intentional, not just functional. For 500 kids sitting in a room watching a recap of their day, the details matter. A well-designed thumbnail was a small thing that made the whole experience feel more special, and it was my way of putting extra care into work that was already moving fast under tight deadlines.
Outcome & Impact
• Produced 104 videos over 3 months, averaging 8 videos every 6 days
• Content reached over 5,000 campers across the full summer season
• Created 4 promotional videos that will support marketing and camper recruitment heading into next summer
• Earned recognition from the company's Vice President for producing the best recap videos he had seen from any camp
• Content reached over 5,000 campers across the full summer season
• Created 4 promotional videos that will support marketing and camper recruitment heading into next summer
• Earned recognition from the company's Vice President for producing the best recap videos he had seen from any camp
Key Takeaways
This internship proved something I now carry into every project — I can pick up a new skill fast and perform under pressure. I arrived with no camera experience and left having built and managed an entire video production program solo. The environment forced me to become efficient, decisive, and resourceful. Tight deadlines, high volume, and real stakes every single day made me a better creative and a sharper thinker. The tools I learned were new. The mindset I brought was not.
