Young writers are invited to find their niche as they take part in the third annual Prince George Citizen Raise-a-Reader Youth Writing Camp held at the university July 26 to 29.
During the event, up to 32 students between the ages of 16 and 18 attend writing-related workshops and participate in activities facilitated by UNBC professors and visiting authors.
In the past there's been between 24 and 32 students participate from Prince George, Burns Lake and Smithers.
Students are asked to provide a five-page sample of their writing and a letter of introduction. Submission deadline is July 2.
"I'm looking for high school students who are really passionate about writing and there's a level of skill involved but it's more about the interest they show," said Prof. Rob Budde of UNBC. "I need to see signs that they really want to pursue their writing because they're going to be with other writers who are passionate. That creates a certain atmosphere that in the last two years has made the camp. I mean, when you get 32 students all passionate about writing -- things happen. It's just about being around other people that share your passion and that might not happen at high school. Creative writing might not be considered the cool thing to do but for those few days it is, definitely. For like-minded students to find each other is the brilliant thing about the camp."
Each year Budde calls for submissions not only for the students that attend but the presenters of workshops and each year he makes sure there are different opportunities for the students.
"There's been a variety of things that have been proposed, everything from fantasy world building, writing song lyrics, integrating writing into visual art, how to write humour and there's been workshops on how to integrate imagery into poetry," said Budde. "So all the workshops are participatory so the facilitator comes in, presents a technique or some prompts to get students thinking about writing in wider and different ways and gets them working on something and each year there's been something different."
Workshops are held during the day and evenings are filled with a variety of activities including a reading from local published authors, films, or gameshows The one held last year was hosted by local publisher Virginia O'Dine of Bundoran Press, who played a version of Raise-a-Reader Idol where she heard campers stories and as they came to a part where a publisher might stop reading she would buzz them, then offer advice on how to avoid those pitfalls, said Budde.
At the end of the camp students will read their own works for parents and friends who are welcome to attend.
The writing camp is free, including meals, and there is a nominal fee to stay in the dorms of $15 a night, so students can experience campus life while exploring their creative, storytelling, artistic and expressive abilities.
Students can send a five-page sample of their writing and a letter introducing themselves to Dr. Robert Budde, English Program, UNBC, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC, V2N 4Z9 or send to [email protected] or call 250-960-6693.
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