Young Emerging Writers Middle School Camp July 24-28

Midwest Writing Center to offer day camp for middle school writers at downtown Rock Island Public Library

The Midwest Writing Center is accepting registrations for its Young Emerging Writers (YEW) day camp for students in the Quad City area who have completed sixth, seventh or eighth grade at the end of the 2016-17 school year (approx. 11-14 years old). The camps is open to students of public, private, parochial, and/or home schools. The camp will be held daily July 24-28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the ground floor of the Rock Island Public Library. On July 28 at 3:00 p.m., MWC will host a YEW Camp Friends and Family Showcase, where participants will read a variety of the work they produce during the camp. The Showcase is free and open to the public.

Facilitator for the event is Quad City area poet and educator Ryan Collins. Participants will experience a workshop format and be exposed to various forms of creative writing and critique as well as an introduction to other local writers and editors. Collins said, “The workshop experience can be so helpful to young writers to explore the craft and gain confidence in his or her own development. The Midwest Writing Center offers a comfortable and supportive space for young writers to explore their creativity, make new friends, and have fun.”

Cost for the week-long day camp is $100, which also includes a one-year MWC student membership, and a copy of the book Bix Biderbecke: Jazz Age Genius. Please call the MWC at 309-732-7330 to register, or register online at http://www.mwcqc.org/events-opportunities/youth-programming/yew-middle-school-camp/

Modeled after the YEW high school internship program, the YEW Summer Camp consists of close instruction in prose, poetry, and other forms, and culminates in a public reading of the students’ work. Guest instructors will make appearances throughout this week-long program. Participants will receive 25 hours of emersion in the literary arts to enhance, improve and diversify their writing skills. Full and partial scholarships will be available and granted to those with financial need.

Funding for the Young Emerging Writers Middle School Camp generously provided by the Hubbell-Waterman Foundation, the CD Wiman Memorial Trust, and the Illinois Arts Council Agency through federal funds provided by the National Endowment for the Arts.

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For more information, please contact:

Ryan Collins, (309) 732-7330 mwc@midwestwritingcenter.org