Creative Writing Camp

For Days 1-4, we will start off with a 5 min warm-up writing exercise related to the genre of the day.

On Day 1 we'll read and discuss a poem themed around the current season (spring, summer, autumn, or winter). Then we'll have 10-15 mins of quiet writing time, after which students will have the option of sharing their first draft with the class. I'll talk about the process of revising poems for a few minutes at the end, so campers who want to continue writing outside of camp have a good starting point.

On Day 2 we'll play a game where we collectively tell very short stories one word at a time. Then we'll talk about flash fiction -- what it is, and how it's a little different from poetry while being in a similar format. Campers will have 10-15 minutes to write their own flash fiction pieces with the option to share one or two at the end of the day.

On Day 3 we'll read and discuss a short story, reviewing basic plot structure (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution). Then students will have a full 15 minutes to write their own one-page long short story. 

On Day 4 we'll talk about creative nonfiction (aka memoir writing). Campers will take turns telling stories about something fun they did recently. We'll help each other identify the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution of each story. Campers will have 10-15 minutes to write down their stories.

On Day 5, each camper will read 1 or 2 finished pieces aloud to the camp. (The number per student will vary by class size). Campers will be encouraged to decorate their background like a campsite, or use a Zoom background with camp-themed images. After campers finish sharing their final pieces, we will spend the rest of the last day playing word games and creating collaborative poems and/or stories together.