Summer Youth Camps

Grades 8th and 9th

Welcome to Creative Inkwell: where young minds come to ignite their creativity through the power of words. Our 4-day retreat is more than just a camp; it's an immersive experience designed to cultivate the next generation of local poets and writers. Inspired by the rich literary heritage of Northern Arizona Book Festival's 25th anniversary and upcoming anthology of odes to the Colorado Plateau, we're celebrating place, and what place means to us as humans. Throughout the week, budding writers will embark on a journey of self-discovery as they explore various forms of expression, from micropoetry to memoir, flash fiction to visual poetry, septet to renga. Our program is not just about writing; it's about finding your voice and learning the craft from an experienced mentor. As we delve into the art of writing, students will keep a journal to capture their thoughts and inspirations. They'll also learn journalistic skills through engaging interviews and delve into the works of Colorado Plateau authors. Our camp isn't just about creating; it's about understanding the world of literature and publishing. Students will submit a piece of writing for possible publication, learn some tips of the trade, research fellow students getting their work published around the globe, find contests and prizes to keep the fuel burning over the 2024-2025 academic year, and work with our Curios Publication here at the college. But it's not all work and no play! We'll indulge in literary-themed games and activities to keep the creativity flowing. There will be a reading, water word war and a magazine component as well. At the culmination of the camp, writers will produce a literary reading and take home their "Pausings on Place" camp anthology, as well as their journal with both drafted and finished products to carry them into the rest of the summer, pen in hand.

About the Instructor:

Katie King holds a Master of Arts in Nonfiction from Wilkes University and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, also from Wilkes. With eighteen publications in literary journals and magazines, she is an accomplished writer, speaker, and coach for aspiring writers. Katie has contributed to the educational sector, having worked with the Flagstaff Unified School District in their FACTS program and served as a tutor at Coconino Community College. Additionally, she offers private tutoring services specializing in reading and literature through A Plus Tutoring. Katie's passion lies in helping students explore various forms of writing and refine their craft to gain deeper insights into themselves and the world around them. A Flagstaff local since 1996, Katie is a proud mother to a 10-year-old son and shares her home with her beloved black corgi named Glen.