Writing Camp Programs
Writing workshops in Poetry, Fiction, Non Fiction and Playwriting.Young writers rarely have the opportunity to become part of a community of like-minded people, being inspired by others who share their dreams. Teenagers who think they might like to write creatively rarely have the chance to learn how to do so outside of an English classroom. Our Creative Writing program is designed to meet both sets of needs. Working in the Writing Room and outside under the Centauri Poet-Tree, campers discover the joy of writing, both through structured exercises and individual writing projects. Join us this summer, and unlock the writer in YOU!
At Centauri, writing campers choose one specialty writing program per session. To see a chart listing all the programs and their sessions click here.
The Secrets of Popular Fiction
Session 1, ages 11-15. Instructor: Jeremy Large
Are you fascinated by other worlds, other viewpoints? Looking for ideas to kick-start your fiction? Then this is the writing program for you! From science-fiction to fantasy, historical to detective fiction and action-adventure to suspense, we will explore the world of genre through fiction, and the world of fiction through genre. Learn the essential elements of a great story: creating compelling characters, exploring dynamic settings, and structuring great narratives. Experiment with new genres, focus on the ones you most enjoy, then combine genres to create all-new kinds of storytelling! Emerge two weeks later with a wider knowledge of the world of fiction in its many forms. Join a community of writers as we share, discuss, laugh, and write together, producing finished pieces as well as a wealth of ideas to kickstart future writing adventures.
Poetry & Prose: Writing Outside of the Box
Session 2, ages 13-18. Instructor: Carolyn Marie Souaid
In this session we will work the "muscles" of writing as we try our hand at forms such as poetry, memoir and short-short fiction in a nurturing and supportive atmosphere. We'll explore the nuts and bolts of writing and look at some of the ways professional authors make their texts sing-- all with an aim to developing our own voice and style. How do you tell a story in a way that is uniquely your own? What are the ins and outs of getting work published? Grab your spiral notebook and join us in the Writing Room, under the trees or by the river this summer at Centauri! Keep your hand moving as you experiment with new sources of inspiration. Participate in lively discussions about the writing process and writers you especially love. Take a trip "outside the box" with creative writing exercises guaranteed to stretch your mind and give your writing that unique and special flair.
Poetry
and Prose: Find Your Inspiration
Session 2, ages 9-14. Instructor: Maria Rothenberg
What inspires you? Music? Nature? Dreams? Join us as we look for fresh sources of inspiration in likely and unusual places! Each day we値l be inspired by something new: art, faraway places, movies, that shady spot under Centauri痴 Poet Tree - even each other and ourselves! This program is open to writers with any level of experience and with any preferred genre - we値l explore forms of poetry, short stories, song writing, and more. Try your hand at new kinds of writing and learn fresh approaches to your old favorites. You値l be part of a group of enthusiastic, supportive writers, sharing your work and encouraging each other as you discover your unique creative voice. You値l end your session with a collection of finished pieces and a terrific supply of original ideas to inspire you further, once summer is done.
Creative Fiction and Nonfiction
Session 3, ages 14-18
Make the leap from fiction to non fiction - then back again! In this exciting new program for creative writers we will examine the principles of short fiction, explore features of all great writing (mood, character, location and structure), and discover the four pillars of nonfiction. Have you ever tried your hand at travel writing, reviewed a movie, written an autobiographical piece or shared your world view with a reader? Try out various forms of fiction and nonfiction to discover which ones you enjoy most - all in a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere. We値l let fact inspire our fiction, and the other way around! Experiment with new forms of writing, then work - independently but with support - on whatever inspires you most. We値l teach you ways you get your work out there, both in print and online. By the end of your session you can expect to have finished pieces to be proud of, and a notebook of ideas to stimulate further projects at home.
Playwriting & Performance
Session 3, ages 9-14 Instructor: Alanna Balicki
Take on the ultimate creative challenge as you join a dynamic team to write, direct, rehearse and stage a production! In this fast-paced program, you will design your own characters through improvisation and reflection, and let their relationships point the way to a compelling story. Discover what it takes to create an original performance piece as you experiment with creative media such as mask, clown, choral work, storytelling, movement, puppetry and sound. Together with your friends, mold your favourite characters and your best ideas into a single, coherent play to present on the final day. Arrive with an imagination, discover what it takes to create then stage a performance, and leave with a notebook of ideas to inspire you in the future!
Inspired to Write!
Session 4, ages 13-18. Instructor: Chris Urquhart
A writing program is about community - sharing an experience we normally undertake alone, with the support of like-minded people. If you love to write (or think you might), then join us for this varied writing program. Whether under the Poet Tree, by the river, or elsewhere around camp, we will scavenge for inspiration, helping you to fill those spiral notebooks with ideas, exercises and writing samples. Back in the Writing Room, we値l help you to shape your source material into writing that leaps off the page. We値l share in collaborative writing projects, critiquing circles and stimulating discussions, writing everything from different kinds of poetry to non fiction, flash fiction, short scenes for the stage, and more. Which writers excite you? How do you see a project through to the end? This fast-paced, wide-roaming program will also include free-writing time each day, so bring along any project you may need our help with - all genres welcome - or look to us for the inspiration once you arrive at camp!
Writing Camps 2012 |
|
| Session 1 July 1 to 14 |
The Secrets of Popular Fiction (ages 11-15) |
| Session 2 July 15 to 28 |
Poetry and Prose (ages13-18) |
| Poetry and Prose (9-14) | |
| Session 3 July 29 to Aug 11 |
Creative Fiction and
Non Fiction (ages 14-18) |
| Playwriting and Performance (9-14) | |
| Session 4 Aug 12 to 19 |
Inspired to Write (ages13-18) |
- Reserve your space!
- Download 2012 Brochure
- Program Director Bios
- Film Dept.
- Theatre Dept.
- Writing Dept.
- Fine Arts Dept.
- Dance Dept.
- Music Dept
Every breath that you take
is another moment
to live for and remember:
a moment to reflect
and be yourself;
to laugh, to cry.
it is the reason
we are here -
to express our thoughts,
and paint our words
in vibrant colours
on the sky.
- from 'Life' by Leah Wiener
"When I started to consider teaching as a career, I had this memory of my program directors at Centauri. They were unquestionably the most inspiring and motivating teachers I ever had. If I become a teacher - and a good one - I know that it will be, in part, thanks to my years at Centauri and the teachers I knew there."