A former participant in the British Columbia Youth Writers Camp will be in charge of the camp this year.
The camp, for youths between the ages of eight and 18, has been held annually since 2008, first in Summerland and later in Penticton.
Chelsey Baron, a participant in camps during the first years, said the experience was positive for her.
“For me, it was a huge confidence booster,” she said. “I had the opportunity to look at the profession of writing.”
She said others have also excelled since attending the camps.
One participant, who could hardly speak publicly during her first year at the camp, now writes and performs slam poetry.
Others have gone on to pursue writing careers.
Participants in the camp come from across Canada and into Washington State.
The camps have had as many as 90 participants, but last year’s enrolment was 67.
For 2016, the one-week camp will be held July 3 to 8.
The camp includes a keynote speaker on the Sunday, as well as workshops and instruction in illustration or art, fiction, nonfiction, storyboards and poetry.
“Last year, the poetry turned into songwriting,” said Yasmin John-Thorpe, the founder of the writing camp.
The camp is presented by Penticton Writers and Publishers.
Additional information and registration forms are available online at penwriters.com/community-programs.
A registration discount is available for those who register before the end of this year.
