Creative Writing Camp for Kids

Session I: Monday-Friday, July 16-July 20, 2018 | 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Session II: Monday-Friday, July 23 – July 27, 2018 | 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

SESSION ONE CAMPS: 

Grades 6 – 8: Writing Circle with Erin James

During this week, young writers will explore the craft and fun of creative writing through a variety of prompts, journaling, music, brainstorming, people-watching and visits to nearby inspiring locations.  Modes of expression and experimentation will include poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and more!  Throughout the week, we will learn about and participate in all elements of the writing workshop process from start to finish, sharing and receiving ideas and refining our work. At the end of the week, each young writer will publish a piece in a journal of collected works from this exciting week of writing!

Grades 9-12 and 2018 Graduates with Kirsten Miles

Develop your writing skills and gain exposure to diverse and contemporary authors with a tailored reading list. Your week will include a handmade journal, and a hands-on tour of rare and famous books in the UVA special collection library. You’ll visit the Virginia Center for the Book, and have plenty of time for writing in some very creative spaces. Each day includes time for writing, for supportive revision, and exercises to help you recognize what makes your voice unique. The week wraps up with a review of where to submit your writing, and closes with a public reading at Writerhouse, parents are invited. You’ll come away with a week of inspired writing, and a community of student peers. Join us!

SESSION TWO CAMPS:

Grades 6-8: Multi-Genre Creative Writing Lab with Jamie Ebersole

This workshop will help young writers expand their creative writing toolbox. Students will experiment with numerous writing techniques and compose short works in several different genres–including creative nonfiction, poetry, and short fiction. Finding inspiration from personal experience, trips to city locations, and exciting classroom exercises, students will develop one or more polished pieces by the end of the week.

Grades 9-12 and 2018 Graduates Poetry Workshop with Mirabella Mitchell

Poetry can nourish us in ways that nothing else can. In good times and bad times, we often make it part of our public rituals and our private meditations. It can be an utterance from deep within us or a little ditty passing pretty. In this camp, we will read and write all kinds of poetry on all kinds of themes. We will share favorite poems, written by us or by others, and, looking at poetry as a craft, we will discuss ways of making our meaning clear, beautiful, powerful, or whatever we most want it to be. I hope you can join us! Part of the joy of camps like this is that we can meet like-minded people.

A-Term Weekend Session

Grades 6 – 12 Comic Book Writing Camp with Laura Lee Gulledge

This special weekend workshop is for 12-17 year-olds interested in making COMICS! Critically acclaimed graphic novelist Laura Lee Gulledge will share her techniques for telling stories through words and pictures, sharing original artifacts and demonstrating the process drawing live with the group. Participants will then develop their own original characters and make their own six-panel mini comic book using Laura Lee’s favorite blue cartooning pencils and ink pens. (You can learn more about Laura Lee at whoislauralee.com)

Please fill out the Enrollment Form and include it with your registration payment.

Limit: 10 students per age group, per session. Snacks and walks outside will be incorporated into the daily activities. At the end of the writing camp session, we’ll have a reading for parents and friends. Each writer will be published in our writing camp magazine. Fee includes snacks, writer’s notebook, and one copy of the magazine.

All instructors are teachers with creative writing experience.

All camp sessions will be held at WriterHouse, 508 Dale Ave., Charlottesville, behind the Preston Ave Bodo’s Bagels. 434-296-1922, www.writerhouse.org

Click Here to Download Mail-In Registration Form

Online Registration

To register online, click on one of the links listed below. Payments made via Paypal include a Paypal and administrative fee. Registrations via check, cash, and money order are accepted.

Session One: 6th-8th Grade Camp with Erin James
Session One: 9th-12th Grade Camp with Kirsten Miles 
Session Two: 6th-8th Grade Camp with Jamie Ebersole
Session Two: 9th-12th Grade Camp with Andrea Rowland 
A-Term: 6th – 12th Grade Comic Book Writing Camp with Laura Lee Gulledge