Does your child have a knack for non-fiction? Is he partial to prose? Idaho Writing Camps might be a perfect fit to scratch the creative itch.
A far cry from the traditional "Hello, mother, hello, father", writing produced at most camps, this literary retreat offers children and youth in grades 3--12 opportunities to engage in creative writing adventures, and to become published authors.
Sponsored by The Cabin, a non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire and celebrate a love of reading, writing and discourse, this camp introduces aspiring writers to professional writers who lead small group sessions.
Budding storytellers use the natural world, cultural and historic sites, local environs and unique opportunities to start on a journey of imagination and inspiration.
Working in small age-appropriate groups, campers do a variety of projects. Camp culminates in a public reading of student work, giving young writers a chance to share their stories with friends and family. Their work is published in a bound anthology.
Two camps are being offered in our area. "Word Play" for grades 3-4 will be held in Hailey at The Center the week of Aug. 2. This camp will engage the senses and play with language as a path to writing imaginative poems and stories. It has a morning and afternoon session.
Also at The Center in Hailey is "Cabin Writers" for grades 5-6. This camp helps writers discover how art, music and nature, as well as their own inner voice, lead to stories and poems as individual as the scribe.
This camp takes place the week of Aug. 2 with two sessions available. Morning sessions are from 9 a.m. to noon while afternoon sessions are held from 1-4 p.m. Cost before May 2 is $125. After May 2 it is $145.
For a list of camps, that also take place in Boise and Twin Falls, or to register, log onto the cabin's Web site at thecabinidaho.org. The camp has been chosen by the National Endowment for the Arts as a Top 10 Summer Arts Education program.
