The Northwest Arkansas Writing Project will host Young Writers Camps at several sites in Northwest Arkansas this summer. Registration is now open for students currently in second through 11th grade.

From June 19-30, students will meet at the U of A and other NWA schools from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Vicki Collet, director of Young Writers Camp, said the camp includes active learning in a fun environment. "Our two goals are that students have fun and that their writing improves," she said. "For example, students might participate in a scavenger hunt, looking for clues that would help them write a story."

Collet noted that past Young Writers Camp participants have played guessing games to focus on using descriptive language, analyzed and written song lyrics, interviewed K9 handlers and Razorback student-athletes, and filled their writing notebooks. Additional information about the 2023 Young Writers Camp is available here.

"We tell students that they need to exercise their writing muscles every day," Collet added. "Just like kids attending sports camps, writing takes practice and stamina. We give kids lots of opportunities for both as they participate in individual, small-group and whole-group writing experiences."

After camp each day, the teachers collaborate and focus on improved writing instruction. These professional learning experiences are an important part of the project. "Not only are students learning during our Young Writers Camp, teachers are taking away strategies they will use in their classrooms," Collet said.

The Northwest Arkansas Writing Project has sponsored camps for young writers for more than 20 years. The professional organization is focused on improving writing in area schools. As one of about 200 National Writing Project sites, it provides professional development for educators and directly reaches young writers through summer camps and other activities. For more information about writing project events, contact Collet at collet@uark.edu or visit nwawp.uark.edu.