It's never too early to begin to explore creative writing.
The Raise-a-Reader Youth Writing Camp is presented at the University of Northern B.C. August 1 to 4 for students 12 to 18. Deadline to apply is July 15.
There have been two other camps held in the past three years with 15 to 18 year olds participating. So this time the offer is being made to younger students as well.
"This camp is open to anyone between 12 and 18 who has an interest in creative writing, including things like graphic novels, song writing - anything having to do with putting words on the page and creating something," said UNBC professor Rob Budde. "We've got workshops and special sessions with guest facilitators to help kids improve their writing and have fun with writing."
The maximum number of participants is 32 students.
"One of the great things about this camp is that it is virtually free," said Budde. "There is a small fee for staying in residence but it's minimal. So the kids get meals and all the sessions, workshops and events free and parents don't have to pay, which is exciting."
Budde is recruiting facilitators right now and has a few on the roster so far.
"We have Paul Michel from UNBC's First Nations Centre who will do a session on oral storytelling," said Budde. "Neil Godbout, young adult fantasy author, and Virginia O'Dine, who ran Bundoran Press that published science fiction and fantasy, will teach sessions. And I am hoping to recruit several more. I also put out an open call where I will get applications and match their proposals with the students' applications so that the students get the best experience."
Each day during the youth writing camp, students will have two or three sessions.
"I try to mix it up from the typical classroom setting," said Budde. "We can do some things outside so they won't be sitting in a classroom for all three one-and-a-half-hour sessions. For example, I'm planning a session where we walk back to Shane Lake with eco-poet Ken Belford and talk about writing about nature."
Then there's an evening event, he added. On the first night there's an open meeting where local published authors will read from their work and then on Saturday night, the final evening of the camp, students get the same opportunity.
"So the students see professional writers reading and then they get to go up there and do their thing," said Budde.
There will be evening showings of movies about writing and there's a student writing idol event for some added fun.
"Virginia O'Dine and one of the guest authors will look at student writing from an editor's perspective and it's a bit like an idol event in the sense that the student will read the first couple of pages and the editor will buzz them when she hears something that she doesn't like or something that she does like," said Budde. "So she's letting them know about the dos and don'ts when sending things to get published. It's kind of a fun event. This way the students also get to see each other's work."
Students interested in the writer's camp should send a five-page sample of their writing and a letter introducing themselves to Budde at 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9 or e-mail [email protected] or call 250-960-6693.
