Creative Writing

Our Program

Summer vacation often becomes a vacuum for students who love to write.  Without school assignments, writing challenges are tough to find - - - -unless you make a getaway to Creative Writing Camp.

Writing camp is a place where students write without the pressure of grades; it's a place where poems and acrostics and stories begin on notebook paper but end as embellishments on kites, maps, a summer hat or as a message in a bottle; it's a place where the elements of a story are plucked from a memorable photograph or tucked inside a brown paper bag; it's a place where young writers meet other young writers who delight in word games, writing prompts, journal entries and story starters.

Each day in our writers' workshop, the tables are filled with paper, pencils, crayons, markers, glue, stickers, and children working together, one masterpiece at a time.  They practice their craft, experiment with new writing styles and projects, and give their creative minds a midsummer tune-up.  For a young writer, it's the place to be.

Campers may also swim in the Albright Pool at certain times during the week.

Lucinda Schaeffer, Writing Camp Instructor, is a graduate student at Alvernia College.  She is pursuing a dual certification in Elementary and Special Education with a Masters in Urban Education.  She is currently student teaching in the Wyomissing Area School District.

Session 1 - July 11, 2005 (ages 6 to 9) - Ahoy, Matey!!  We're going on a pirate adventure!  Campers will explore life as pirates, first mates, cooks, and more.  We'll build a ship. write a message in a bottle, and even hunt for treasure.  Don't miss a minute, or you might have to walk the plank.  Arrrgg!

Session 2 - July 18, 2005  (ages 10 to 13) - Color My World - Do you have a red hot temper or perhaps feelings or blue?  Does green with envy or yellow bellied describe you?  The world is filled with color from people to places.  Each day we will choose a color to explore, feel, move through, smell, taste, and enjoy.  The possibilities are endless as the rainbow.

Session 3 - July 25, 2005  (ages 6 to 9) - Poetry in Motion - Roses are red, Violets are blue, If you want to learn more about poetry, This camp is for you.  Poetry doesn't always rhyme, make sense or have a beat.  We'll explore various types of poetry, create our own works, and most importantly, express ourselves in fun and unconventional ways.

Session 4 - August 1, 2005  (ages 10 to 13) - Building Character - What, where, when, why, and how don't mean a thing until we know the who.  Children will create their own characters through inventive ways.  We'll take chose characters to new heights, deep dark places, tight little corners, and wide open spaces.