Young Writers Camps: Summer 2014

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.

Digital Writers (Elementary School) CANCELLED

This Digital Young Writers Camp for rising 4th through 6th graders will explore the use of storytelling through a variety of digital tools. We will use youtube video editor, imovie, and many other iPad apps for creating literacies and blogging spaces such as edublogs, weebly or kidblog for sharing our creations in ways that promote digital citizenship. The camp will conclude with a collaborative “Choose Your Own Adventure” story to be shared in a digital space and a Family Scribe group where families can participate in a writing experience.

Location: ECU main campus

Dates: Monday, July 14 – 18, 2014 (Family Day: July 19)

Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 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 $175 per student writer. Please pay only the $25 registration fee when you apply.

The Art of Storytelling (Elementary & Middle School)

Climb aboard and come explore the art of storytelling! Create original storybooks focusing on both image and word. Innovative and exciting summer creative writing camp designed for young writers who want to learn what it takes to write and illustrate their own stories. Students will develop an original story, while working to create a distinct and personal style. Writers will focus on developing plot, characters, setting, and theme.

This camp is being offered twice at both the elementary and middle school level. Writers can sign up for either Session 1 (elementary or middle) or Session 2 (elementary or middle).

Session 1 (Elementary) Dates: June 23 – 27, 2014 Location: Belvoir Elementary Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Session 1 (Middle) Dates: June 23 – 27, 2014 Location: Ayden-Grifton H.S. Time: 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Session 2 (Elementary) Dates: July 7 – 11, 2014 Location: Belvoir Elementary Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Session 2 (Middle) Dates: July 7 – 11, 2014 Location: Ayden-Grifton H.S. Time: 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Facilitators: Alicia Datz & Randall Kern

For more information about this camp, contact  Alicia Datz at 252-227-6022 or by email at g8rali [at] gmail [dot] com.

The camp fee is $125 per student writer. Please pay only the $25 registration fee when you apply.

Visualizing Narrative (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: July 16 – 25, 2014 (weekdays)

Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Leaders: Alicia Datz & Randall Kern

For more information about this camp, contact  Alicia Datz at 252-227-6022 or by email at g8rali [at] gmail [dot] com.

The camp fee is $200 per student writer. Please pay only the $25 registration fee when you apply.

Write Here! Write Now! (High School)

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 30 – August 8, 2014 (weekdays)

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Leaders: Alicia Datz & Randall Kern

For more information about this camp, contact  Alicia Datz at 252-227-6022 or by email at g8rali [at] gmail [dot] com.

The camp fee is $200 per student writer. Please pay only the $25 registration fee when you apply.

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