Writing & Book Camp

August 9-13, 2010 at Vancouver Public Library
Got the Write Stuff?

Calling all aspiring writers and book lovers! Sharpen your pencils, stretch your typing fingers, and spark your imagination at the Writing & Book Camp!

This unique day Camp lets youth with a passion for reading and writing connect with well-known authors and illustrators. Each morning features a new keynote speaker from the Canadian literary world. After lunch, campers experience a variety of different creative workshops. In this energetic, literary environment, campers are divided into two age groups:  11-13 and 14+.

Our inclusive program welcomes youth who want to try creative writing for the first time, aspiring authors with mountains of manuscripts, and everyone in between!

  

For Ages 11-13 and 14+
Where:	Central Library 350 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC
When:	Monday, August 9 to Friday, August 13, 2010 (Mon-Thu: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Cost:	$200.00 Early Bird Rate until May 15, 2010 - includes FREE book in Camper bag! $225.00 after May 15, 2010 Registration fee includes a copy of the 2010 Book Camp Anthology

To register for the Writing & Book Camp, please download our BkcampRegForm10.pdf[PDF}.

If you would like to learn about volunteering opportunities please download our CallforVolunteers[PDF]. Interested volunteers should download and submit the Book Camp Volunteer Application Form [PDF].

For more information please contact the Book Camp Coordinator at 604-331-4093 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

 Check out photos of the 2009 Book Camp, at www.flickr.com/photos/vancouverpubliclibrary/sets/72157622012356804.

The 2009 Canadian Book Camp Was a Huge Success!

The Canadian Book Camp and the Vancouver Public Library would like to thank all our campers, volunteers, presenters and sponsors for making the ninth annual Canadian Book Camp better than ever!

Here's What Some of Our Campers Had to Say:

More Information on The Writing & Book Camp:

Who should come:

We all know kids who keep diaries, write and illustrate their own imaginative stories, create homemade novels and feverishly devour works by their favourite authors at school and at home. The Writing & Book Camp was created just for such young bibliophiles to encourage them to become life-long readers and writers.  At the Writing & Book Camp, young people spend a whole week writing, reading and in conversation with some of Canada’s best young adult authors and experts in almost every aspect of the writing field.  The goal of the Writing & Book Camp is to connect children and teens who have a passion for reading and writing with well-known authors and illustrators in a fun, creative workshop environment where they can develop their skills.  This camp is for enthusiastic readers and eager writers who love writing, who have questions to ask and who want their work recognized – people who feel the need to read and write.

How the Writing & Book Camp started:

When the Writing & Book Camp started 9 years ago, it was the first of its kind in Canada. It was founded in Vancouver in 2000 through a partnership with Vancouver Public Library, Simon Fraser University’s Master of Publishing Program, publishers, authors, illustrators and literacy advocates with the aim of connecting book-loving kids to Canadian writer mentors. Since 2001 the camp has been a project of the Vancouver Public Library.

Why is it the best camp for young readers:

Book Camp exposes young readers and writers to a variety of authors, books, writing tools and members of the publishing industry while giving them opportunities to express themselves through the written word. Relying on a core group of experts and authors, Book Camp offers interactive sessions designed to piquethe young people’s interests and works-in-progress. It also provides a wealth of resources to allow them to continue pursuing their individual projects outside Book Camp itself.  Programming exposes campers to a range of author opinions and genres while providing strategies that foster imaginative expression of their unique visions.  Book Camp is inclusive, non-competitive, inspired, fun and youth-centered while respecting the campers’ goals and work.

How the Writing & Book Camp works:

The Writing & Book Camp is held annually at the Central Library for five days in August and emphasizes book making from brainstorming to designand editing to illustration, so that participants experience a process akin to that of a professional publisher.  The 70 to 100 youth who attend the camp are divided into two age groups, 11-13 and 14 plus.  Each day’s activities run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with a different Canadian writer featured as the keynote speaker in the morning session for the whole camp. In previous years, keynote speakers and workshop leaders have included Caroline Adderson, Kit Pearson, Sarah Ellis, Richard Van Camp, Norma Charles, Andrea Spaulding, Nikki Tate and Pamela Porter. The remainder of the morning consists of workshops and activities including time to work on writing and reading with counsellors. After lunch, campers rotate among specialized interactive workshops. Last year, campers participated in workshops including Lee Edward Fodi’s "Thinking Inside the Box: Opening the Magic Vessel to Creativity" and Diane Haynes’ "Inspiration Studio: Tap Into Your Own Powerhouse of Inspiration!"

Connection to the Library:

The Book Camp promotes the importance of the Library as a resource for writers to the campers in a variety of ways. During the week,campers are taken on a library tour highlighting the writing and research resources available at the Central Library. They also receive training in online research and resources with a librarian.  Finally, they attend book talk sessions by the Children’s and Teen Librarians to hear about the best books for kids and teens.  

Anthology and Gala:

At the end of the week, each camper has created work for inclusion in an anthology that is published and distributed by the Library. On the last evening of Book Camp, the Library hosts a Gala to celebrate the young writers achievements and allow them to read from their works at an open mike event to an audience of parents and family, authors and other participants.  The evening provides well-earned recognition and praise, encouraging the young writers to continue exploring the written word.

Find out more about the speakers and workshops from past Book Camps:

• Book Camp 2005 brochure
• Book Camp 2006 brochure
• Book Camp 2007 brochure
• Book Camp 2008 brochure
• Book Camp 2009 brochure

The Writing & Book Camp acknowledges the generosity of the following sponsors: