At its core, this program is less about academics and more about kids having positive, confidence-building experiences with writing. There is only so much we can academically teach a camper in two weeks, but if we can help them fall in love with writing and to realize that they can be a good writer, we can truly make a huge positive difference in their life. This is the gift we aim to give every camper who attends Adventures in Writing Camp.
As campers create their projects, please remember that we’re less concerned with the topic and more focused on children having fun with writing while applying the new skills they are learning at camp. Whether a child loves to write or hates to write, we’re committed to helping him or her become a better, more confident writer.
As an educator, you already know this, but it’s worth repeating: No two campers are alike! It is important that your team’s approach reflects that reality. These are also good points to share with parents who are trying to understand what sets Adventures in Writing Camp apart.
- Auditory learners love that we’ve worked with professional musicians to turn the curriculum into professionally produced pop songs. Every school year we hear from parents and teachers who tell us that their child is performing substantially better in writing because of “things they remember from the songs!”
- Kinesthetic learners love the verbal and physical storytelling elements in learning games borrowed from improv theater.
Some reluctant writers love being able to use an iPad or Chromebook to create a story about any (family friendly) topic of their choosing. Others come alive writing rap lyrics for good-natured rap battles with other camp sessions. - Traditional learners thrive in the project-based learning environment. The curriculum is created fresh each year, and we remain committed to providing campers positive, confidence-building experiences
with writing.
No matter how good the curriculum may be—and we think ours is pretty solid—a child’s experience is highly dependent on the energy, attitude, and empathy that you and your team bring each day.
AIW Camp Leadership Philosophy
At its core, Adventures in Writing Camp was created to achieve two results:
- Give campers a safe, fun summer day-camp experience, and
- give them positive, confidence-building experiences with writing
As leaders, we want you to keep these objectives in mind as you go about managing your session. As AIW Camp has evolved, four pillars have emerged to guide us in our actions and decision-making. They are:
- Be Intentional – act and lead with purpose.
- Be flexible – You never know what’s going to happen, so be prepared (and prepare your team) to adjust as needed.
- Be humble – You don’t have to know it all.
- Be and do your best – We didn’t set out to create an average writing camp. We set-out to create a camp that we would have LOVED to have gone to as kids and begged our parents to attend!