Summer 2013 Offerings
The Tar River Writing Project is proud to announce several excellent options for teachers and young writers in the coming summer months!
For Teachers
In June, area teachers will have the opportunity to sharpen their skills with digital tools and 21st century literacy practices while keeping the Common Core State Standard and NC Essential Standards at the center of their work when they participate in the “One Day, One Tool” Open Institute. Associate Director Stephanie West-Puckett has organized a robust slate of options for area teachers and will co-facilitating these days with experts on each digital tool. Teachers may attend one, two, three, four, or all five of the days (with a discount on the full week). As a bonus, teachers who attend the full week will receive 3 CEUs related to technology and writing/literacy. Space is limited to 20 teachers / day, so early application is advised!
Teachers may also want to become members of the Tar River Writing Project (and the National Writing Project) by participating in the 2013 Invitation Summer Institute. This year’s institute takes place over three weeks in July, where teachers from kindergarten through college can come together to work on their own writing and to explore “best practices” for becoming more effective writing teachers. While our summer institutes have traditionally been four weeks of intense writing and reflection, this summer, we have shortened the project to three weeks in the hopes that more teachers will be able to participate. Teachers who complete the Summer Institute will receive 9 CEUs; those who apply before May 15 may also register for 3 graduate credits. Contact Dr. Will Banks (banksw@ecu.edu) for more information on applying for graduate credits.
For Young Writers
Over the last several years, young writers have participated in non-residential summer writing camps that have proven beneficial and exciting. In Summer 2013, Tar River WP is offering FIVE camps, one of which may be perfect for a young writer you know. Our camps are facilitated by expert teachers with proven track records for encouraging young people to be effective writers across a number of different genres. Camps in summer 2013 will provide rich experiences for writers ranging from traditional creative writing (poetry and fiction, specifically) to composing in digital spaces. Sign up your young writer quickly as space is limited for each camp!
Young Writers Camps: Summer 2013
This summer the Tar River Writing Project will sponsor several camps for young writers in Pitt County and the surrounding area. We welcome writers at all ability levels who want to join a fun and creative writing community during the summer. Each camp offers writers the chance to develop writing and digital literacy skills and to build a community with other young writers from across the county. Students from public, private, and home school environments will find an engaging and instructive experience with writing.
To apply for a camp, please click the camp title below. Each applicant will be required to submit the following information: student name, grade level, address, parent information, T-shirt size, proof of health insurance, recommendation from a teacher or family friend, and a writing sample.
We will continue to accept applications until camps are full. At the time of application, a $25 non-refundable application fee is due.
Parents will be notified by email if their young writer has been accepted. Full payment is due no later than two weeks before camp begins. Registration fees for each camp include instruction and supplies for the duration of the camp and a commemorative T-shirt.
*There are a limited number of need-based scholarships for students. Please indicate on the application if you would like to be considered for a camp scholarship.*
If you are interested in sponsoring a child’s participation in the camp, please contact Will Banks (banksw [at] ecu [dot] edu) to learn how you can contribute.
Please use the following PayPal link to pay the application fee. First, choose which camp, and then click “Pay Now” to be taken to the PayPal website. You do not need to create an account with PayPal to finish the transaction.
Subscribe to Writing (Elementary School)
For rising 4th – 6th graders, we will offer a camp in which writers will participate in a variety of creative and digital writing activities. Throughout the week, writers will develop several pieces to contribute to a student-created camp publication to share with parents during the Saturday session.
Location: ECU main campus
Dates: Monday, June 17 – Saturday, June 22, 2013
Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Facilitators: Debra Pagona & Rebecca Bulvanoski
For more information about this camp, call 252-367-0740 or email rebeccabulvanoski11 [at] gmail [dot] com.
The camp fee is $150 per student writer. Please pay only the $25 registration fee when you apply.
Subscribe to Writing (Middle School)
For rising 6th – 9th graders, we will offer a camp in which writers will participate in a variety of creative and digital writing activities. Throughout the week, writers will develop several pieces to contribute to a student-created camp publication to share with parents during the Saturday session. Writers will also develop portfolios to showcase their individual work.
Location: ECU main campus
Dates: Monday, August 5 – Saturday, August 10, 2013
Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Facilitators: Chris Bethel & Mary Ellen VanMarter
For more information about this camp, call Summer Camp Coordinator, Chris Bethel at 910-546-7484 or by email at bethelc99 [at] students [dot] ecu [dot] edu.
The camp fee is $150 per student writer. Please pay only the $25 registration fee when you apply.
DIY Maker Camp (Middle & High School)
For rising 6th graders – 10 graders, campers will participate in a variety of creative writing and artistic activities that center on the acts of “making.” Built on the energy of the “do it yourself” movement, young makers will have opportunities to connect their texts, images, sounds, videos, and other products with makers across social networks. In this context, “writing as making,” which follows a design approach to writing, young makers come to understand texts as products and processes that do real work in the world. Throughout the week, we will work to re-purpose found objects and to create e-textiles, digital stories, and a collaborative online project using Google Maps and other digital tools. On Friday afternoon, campers will enjoy a pizza lunch followed by parents joining us for a showcase of camper’s work.
Location: ECU Main Campus
July 22 – 25 | 9:00 – 1:00
July 26 | 9:00 – 2:00 (includes a pizza lunch and parent-writer share time)
Leaders: Danielle Lewis & Rob Puckett
For more information about this camp, call Summer Camp Coordinator, Chris Bethel at 910-546-7484 or by email at bethelc99 [at] students [dot] ecu [dot] edu.
The camp fee is $150 per student writer. Please pay only the $25 registration fee when you apply.
Visualizing Writing (High School)
The adventure begins! Come explore and create original visual narratives emphasizing the partnership of image and word. Innovative summer creative writing camp designed for students who want to learn what it takes to write and draw visual narratives: the comic book, manga, or graphic novel. Students will develop an original short visual narrative, while working to create a distinct and personal illustrative style. Turn your written story concepts into dynamic page layouts that emphasize story structure, complex character progression, developing interesting dialogue, panel construction, inking, lettering, post-production, and publishing. *Students will receive a comic drawing pen set as part of their participation in the camp.*
Location: ECU Main Campus
Dates: June 20 – 28, 2013 (weekdays)
Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Leaders: Alicia Datz & Randall Kern
For more information about this camp, call Summer Camp Coordinator, Chris Bethel at 910-546-7484 or by email at bethelc99 [at] students [dot] ecu [dot] edu.
The camp fee is $200 per student writer.
Write Here! Write Now! (High School)
For rising 9th – 12th graders, we will offer a camp that will challenge young writers to explore descriptive writing. Daily activities enable the exploration and free expression that help make the writing experience fun and rewarding. Daily journal writing, writing marathons, and writing workshops are blended with activities in other creative arts such as drama, music, photography, and drawing. Young writers engage in crafting a variety of writing forms, such as poems, autobiographical/ character sketches, short stories, and observations of nature and people.
Location: ECU Main Campus
Dates: July 18 – 26 (weekdays)
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Leaders: Alicia Datz & Randall Kern
For more information about this camp, call Summer Camp Coordinator, Chris Bethel at 910-546-7484 or by email at bethelc99 [at] students [dot] ecu [dot] edu.
The camp fee is $200 per student writer.
Here’s what previous YWC participants have had to say about our camps:
“I guess you could say it made writing into something addicting, like you couldn’t stop if you tried.”
-Laura
“It is NOT a classroom environment. You have the freedom to wander around and say what you want and just be who you are. It’s amazing.”
-Brianna
“You really learn to get over your fear of writing and it’s so cool to hear everybody’s writing because you can see that everybody writes in his or her own unique way.”
-Kaya
“You need to have fun writing, because if you don’t, your reader won’t have much fun reading.”
-Logan
“Your going to love love love writing camp because its not like sitting in a class room writing all day it’s more like hanging out with your friends.”
-Baylea
“My favorite part about writing in a group setting like this one is that everyone can use the same words, but it’s how each person strings them together that make it interesting.”
-Amanda
“Remember that this place is a place where creativity is a totally awesome thing. Remember to explore and have fun.”
-Sam
“Captivity isn’t good for creativity. Sometimes you need to think of something completely different to discover what it is you’re looking for.”
-Brooke
“Have fun, don’t have food fights (thought at times it may be tempting) keep an open mind…and well…don’t hold back.”
-Lisa
