Writing camps: got skills?

Swimming, canoeing, hiking and eating s'mores are the perfect camp activities, but where do you send your aspiring young Toni Morrison or Walter Mosley to hone the craft? Black Issues Book Review has selected a few writing camps that should help enliven young people's creativity and sharpen their skills. While youngsters might not be singing around the fire at the end of the day, they could come home with the makings of that first novel. (Summer might seem far off, but now is the time to apply for most of the programs.)

Sarah Lawrence College: High-School Writer's Summer Workshops

Bronxville, New York July 10 through July 14, 2006

In the very supportive and one-on-one style for which Sarah Lawrence is famous, students are helped to develop their skills in small workshops taught by fiction and nonfiction writers, poets and theater artists. Sponsored by the graduate writing program, this writing workshop is for students entering 10th, 11th and 12th grades. No prior writing experience necessary. The application deadline is in mid-March.

For tuition costs and details: Telephone: [phone] Or log on to: http://www.slc.edu/index.php?pageID=1470

Columbia University: Summer Camps for High-School Students

New York, New York Session 1 : July 2-July 28, 2006 Session 2: July 31-August 18, 2006

This Ivy League option promises to help students develop their own voice, with small classes and dedicated instructors. Students enroll in either introductory or advanced workshops. Classes introduce students to all phases of the writing process from generating stories ideas, writing, revising and editing. Participants give and receive critiques of their work in a candid yet respectful setting. Students may also choose an elective such as "publishing house" where the editing process is explored with a hands-on project.

Admission is highly selective. The application deadline is in early April. An information session will be held March 11 a t 2 P.M. on the Columbia University Campus (116th and Broadway) at Lerner Hall. For tuition costs and details: Telephone: [phone] Or log on to: http://www.ce.columbia.edu/hs/writingDivision.cfm

Centauri Summer Arts Camp

Wellandport, Ontario Four sessions available from early July to the end of August 2006

A family-owned camp started by directors Craig and Julie Hartley, Centauri is set on 170 acres of woodland and meadow bordered by the Welland River in the Niagara region of Canada. At this all-around arts camp, young writers ages 9 to 18 have several options: playwriting and performing: write, direct, rehearse and stage a production, as well as learn about dialogue, monologue and scene setups.

Creative writing: workshops with published authors help to develop character, plot and detail.

Fiction with poetry: how to write fiction--and poetry that sings. Centauri also offers classes in acting, theater, photography, dance, television production and more.

This year, Centauri has added two, new writing classes: writing for film and writing for children.

The camp deadline is, "as long as space is available." First come, first serve. For tuition and exact dates: Telephone: [phone] Or log on to: http://www.centauri.on.ca/index.htm

Gettysburg College/Gettysburg Academic Camp Pennsylvania 

Session 1: June 25-July 7, 2006 Session 2: July 9-July 21, 2006

Two-week residential campus experience for 9th to 12th graders on the campus of Gettysburg College. Workshops take students through the mechanics of writing, the process of journaling, understanding poetry. Applications are accepted as long as space is available for the session. For tuition information and details: Telephone: [phone] http://www.allensguide.com/obj/url.php?u= www.gettysburg.edu/homepage/academiccamps/index.htl&p=311

National Book Foundation

The foundation has conducted a Summer Writing Camp for about six years, but officials could not confirm whether the program would run this summer, as of our presstime in November 2005. For more information: The National Book Foundation Summer Writing Camp 2005 95 Madison Avenue, Suite 709 New York, NY 10016 212-685-0261 Or log on to: http://www.nationalbook.org/

Basketball and Poetry

The Washington Wizards and the Arts & Education in Concert (AEIC) invite young people in 7th to 12th grades to enter an original poem for National Poetry Month in April. The entry deadline and details for 2006 were unavailable at presstime, but last year's contest began in February.

Entries were due the first week of March, and winners were honored at a Wizards game in early April. Last year's winners included 11th grader Nicole Barrett, 7th grader Brianna Marshall and 12th grader, Jonathon Banks. For updated information regarding submissions and deadlines, consult the Wizard's Web site: http://www.nba.com/wizards/news/poetrycontest_winers.html