Kidswrite I: Summer Camp for Writers

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The ROTC Building on the University of Arkansas campus will be filled with poetry, stories and drama this summer, as young authors explore their own creativity and learn from seasoned writers at the Kidswrite I writing camp from June 21 through July 1.

Kidswrite I will feature presentations by Alan Castleberry, a Fayetteville singer-songwriter; Tammy Bronson, a Northwest Arkansas author and publisher of children's books; and Doug Shields, a Fayetteville slam poet.

Castleberry, who speaks at 10:45 a.m. on Monday, June 21, will show campers how song lyrics can be poetry. Bronson, speaking at 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, June 22, writes and publishes children's books aimed at entertaining, educating and enlightening her readers. Shields, the presenter at 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, June 24, has competed in slams nationally and organizes slam poetry competitions locally with the Ozark Poets and Writers Collective.

The students from grades four through seven who enroll in Kidswrite I choose whether to focus on poetry, short fiction or playwriting. Campers will be exposed to all three types of writing, meet with guest writers and go on a field trip to the University Theater.

Now in its sixth year, Kidswrite I is a spin-off from the Northwest Arkansas Writing Project and is organized by three writing project teacher consultants, Lacinda Files, Betsy Penix and Lynette Terrell. This year's Kidswrite I will include 48 campers, four of whom are able to attend because of a Kidswrite scholarship.

The Kidswrite program has received broad support throughout Northwest Arkansas. Scholarships were provided by the Northwest Arkansas Times, the Fayetteville Noon Kiwanis Club, Northwest Arkansas Writing Project, and DeadFred.com. Additional support came from Just Us Printers, Dickson Street Books, Little Debbie Snacks, Harps Food Stores, Dickson Street Book Exchange and the University of Arkansas.

Files, Penix and Terrell developed the Kidswrite camps in conjunction with the Northwest Arkansas Writing Project, affiliated with the National Writing Project and organized locally by Samuel Totten, professor in the College of Education and Health Professions.

Kidswrite II will be offered for students in grades eight through 12 from July 19 to 23. To register students for Kidswrite II, call Candy Markum in the UA College of Education and Health Professions, 575-7244.