Young Author's Camps 
“We used our surroundings, listened to people's conversations, or let our imaginations fly. “ |
The Southern Maine Writing Project’s Young Authors’ Camp provides young writers the opportunity to develop their skills by writing under the guidance of highly skilled teachers in a fun, relaxed environment.
Campers will:
- Freely explore different genres of writing that may include biography, poetry, fiction, and non-fiction.
- Develop their writing with the help of experienced classroom teachers, Telling Room Writers, and Maine Writing Project Fellows.
- Celebrate their work and share their creative pieces in a relaxed non-competitive summer atmosphere with peers and mentors.
- Publish a high-quality piece of writing.
Read about campers' experiences on the Portland YAC blog.
“I enjoyed being able to just sit
down and write. I was waiting all
summer for this. I wish that YAC
would last for two weeks.” - Zoe |
The Young Authors’ Camp is presented by the Southern Maine Writing Project in conjunction with The Telling Room: Greater Portland’s Community Writing Center. The Telling Room is a nonprofit writing program in Portland, Maine, dedicated to young writers and storytellers between the ages of 8 and 18. Our goal is simple: To meet each student’s passion for writing with enthusiasm, to provide role models for those looking to further their writing, and to privilege the act of storytelling as a vital means of expression and community building.
Who can register?
Any student entering grades 4 – 8 in the fall of 2009 may register.
How much does it cost?
The fee for the week-long camp is $150. This fee includes writing supplies, mid-morning snacks, T-shirt, Young Writers’ Anthology, and a group photograph. A small amount of scholarship is available. Please provide a simple statement of request with your application.
How do I register?
Students can register by sending in the completed registration form, the registration fee, a brief teacher recommendation, the parent reflection, and an optional writing sample by Friday, May 29, 2009. Student samples should be one piece of writing of which they are proud
Teachers:
Please write a brief description of the student’s strengths and needs as a writer.
Parents:
Please write a brief description of your child’s interests and talents.
4th, 5th, 6th grades:
July 13 – July 17
8:30 am – 2:00 pm
7th and 8th grades:
July 27 – July 31
8:30 am – 2:00 pm
Both sessions will be held at
The Telling Room
225 Commercial Street
Portland, Maine
For more information about Portland’s Young Authors’ Camp, download a brochure or contact
Timothy Hebda
PortlandYAC@gmail.com
To become more familiar with the Maine Writing Project and the Telling Room, please visit the following sites:
