Capitol Reporting Workshop returns for 2026!
Join ThreeSixty for the workshop where democracy-in-action meets journalism-in-action.
ThreeSixty’s Capitol Reporting Workshop is an opportunity for Twin Cities high schoolers who have an interest in legislative reporting and the intersection of politics and journalism. We welcome experienced and aspiring storytellers, writers, and journalists.
What to expect:
Workshop students will work in youth-led news teams and with local journalists to create thoughtful stories about business at the Capitol and the legislative issues that matter to you and your community.
Student stories will be published on ThreeSixty’s website and platform, as well as by local publishing partners. You will gain civic literacy, journalistic storytelling acumen, and leadership skills.
Through this workshop, students will:
- Understand the role journalists play in covering public institutions and why accountability reporting matters
- With curiosity and critical thinking, develop a focused reporting angle on a policy issue that affects young people
- Find and vet credible sources (e.g., lawmakers, advocates, community members, experts) and prepare purposeful interview questions
- Report from a live policy environment during Youth Day at the Capitol and gather observations, natural sounds, visuals, quotes, and context
Students will also demonstrate leadership by sharpening their civic awareness and connecting policy topics to lived experiences from their community. They will be expected to collaborate within a youth-led newsroom, including managing deadlines, giving & receiving feedback, and making editorial decisions as a team.
Each day, students will make progress toward their end-of-workshop deliverables:
- A publishable 700-800 word written story. Story accurately explains the policy issue and helps audiences understand why it matters
- A publishable a multimedia social media story (Instagram Carousel)
Dates, Times, Locations
February 21, 28 and March 3, 7 (3 Saturdays and 1 Tuesday)
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Lunch and snacks will be provided.
We will spend the THIRD day of the workshop at the Capitol for Youth Day at the Capitol (March 3rd) . The other workshop days will take place at the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul. Ability to attend all four workshop days is required. The Youth Day at the Capitol will take place during a school day and ThreeSixty will support students to take an excused absence for the day.
Who should apply?
This is a competitive camp with open seats for 18 students. No journalism experience is required but we encourage you to tell us about any of your past/current multimedia or storytelling projects. Applicants must be able to attend all FOUR days.
We are looking for students who are:
- Curious and critical thinkers
- Problem solvers
- Able to meet deadlines
- Interested in the world around them
- Aligned with ThreeSixty’s mission and values
We are especially interested in hearing from students who have an interest in the following: civic engagement, writing or storytelling, youth voice, politics/policy/government, and the intersections between any of the above.
Students will receive a $200 stipend at the end of the workshop for completing their story packages and adhering to the ThreeSixty attendance policy.
ThreeSixty Values
Justice, Connection, Ingenuity, Youth Leadership
ThreeSixty Mission
ThreeSixty Journalism is a multimedia storytelling program for Minnesota youth. Grounded in journalism and focused on contributing to more accurate narratives and representative newsrooms, ThreeSixty offers technical, ethical, and entrepreneurial training for fulfilling careers in storytelling and civic leadership. The program has been housed at the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of St. Thomas since 2001.
The application is now open! Click to Apply
Deadline: January 30, 2026 at 11:59 pm.
Students will hear back Feb 6 if they have been accepted or waitlisted. Accepted students will need to confirm their spot by a reasonable amount of time or forfeit their seat.
Read student reporting from past Capitol Reporting Workshops here.
