CAIR: Boot Camps

Database 101 | 201 Boot Camp

Each boot camp is limited to 12 students and is held in the Eric Friedheim Library of the National Press Club. The agenda provides practical, real-world skills to help you find the news behind the PR stats and spin. Tuition is free and a limited number of fellowships are available to assist with travel and hotel expenses.

Media organizations that do not allow employees to accept fellowships or free training should consider contributing to the IRE Endowment Fund as an alternative.

2011 CAIR Boot Camp Schedule | Enroll

February 18
March 18
May 20
June 17
July 15
August 19
September 16
October 21
November 18

What Database 101/201 CAIR Boot Camp Graduates Say

"The CAIR boot camp took my basic knowledge of spreadsheets and databases to a level where I was able to instantly use it in my work. But even more important, it got me thinking more about the kinds of stories that were easily within my grasp using new ways to analyze data that was already at my fingertips."

--- Joe Williams
Education Reporter
New York Daily News

"The CAIR "boot camp" was a whirlwind of new techniques and practical, hands-on experience that has helped me find and use database information that I wouldn't otherwise have known about. Highly recommended for people who need to jump-start their computer skills."

--- Linda Seebach
Columnist
Rocky Mountain News

"The CAIR boot camp was very informative and extremely helpful. It helped me better understand and organize the statistics that I deal with on a daily basis."

--- Shane Comeaux
Associate Producer
MSNBC

"As someone whose math skills have been pretty much limited to election returns and batting averages, I found the instruction particularly informative. The material is also presented in a conversational and relevant style, making it a fast moving program."

--- Bob Benenson
Politics Editor
Congressional Quarterly

"Thank you and your colleagues for an excellent program. The evaluations bore out my impression, which was that it went over very well with the journalists. Out of a 4-point possible score, the day's events ranked 3.6, which makes it among the best days we've had with the Paul Miller Fellowship."

--- Nolan Walters
Director of Programs
National Press Foundation

Courses are taught by experienced CAIR journalists and statistics experts who have worked with editors, reporters and researchers for such news organizations as AP, Scripps Howard News, Knight Ridder Tribune News, USA Today and ABC News.

For more information, contact:

Mark Tapscott
Sr. Journalism Fellow
The Heritage Foundation
(202) 459-4968