USM Center for Writers Hosting Writing Camp: Young Authors Academy in July
Mon, 04/08/2024 - 11:55am | By: Ivonne Kawas
The Center for Writers at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM), housed in the School of Humanities, will host the Young Authors Academy (YAA) — a creative writing summer camp —July 8-12 for young teens ages 9-13. The camp will be held from 1 p.m.- 5 p.m. on the Hattiesburg Campus.
YAA provides a space for campers who want to practice creative writing in a nurturing and collaborative environment. Participants gain confidence in their own writing, as they are introduced to fiction, poetry, and a process designed to diversify writing skills.
“Our goal is to offer young writers the opportunity to create many poems and stories, as well as a productive writing process that they can continue when camp is over,” said Dr. Rachael Fowler, assistant teaching professor of English. “At the YAA, they’ll find an outlet to experiment with creativity, express themselves in new ways, and support each other as they share their voices and words. We look forward to providing new writing experiences to our many returning campers and all newcomers.”
Experienced camp counselors, who are published writers in USM’s Creative Writing program, will lead participants through many activities: writing prompts, walking field trips on campus, practice reading their own work to others, and guidance for providing supportive feedback to fellow writers. This year’s interactive field trips include sites such as the Archaeology Lab, the Theatre and Dance Building, and the Gallery of Art and Design
Camp participants get to showcase the work they produce at a reception and public reading—open to family and friends—and get a printed anthology of their writing to take home.