Where should I go?

At RedBird-RedOak Writing in Marian Center, 3195 S Superior St. Milwaukee (Gr. 9-12, July 30-Aug 3)

We meet in the Social Room. Enter from the “back porch” of the northernmost building.

 

At Ten Chimneys Estate, S43W31575 Depot Road  Genesee Depot (Gr. 9-12, Aug 6-10)

We meet in the lower level of the Visitors’ Center.

 

Camp Hours: 9:00 am – 2:30 pm  (Please arrive no earlier than 8:45 each morning.)

If you must reach us during camp hours, please call 414-881-7276.

What should I bring? See “Red Oak Creative Writing Camp Checklist”

What will the days “look like?” 

On the first day, we’ll begin with some icebreakers to help us get comfortable.

Following some exercises to get our ideas flowing, we’ll settle into a sustained period of writing. (We like to call it our “sacred” writing time, and it usually takes place outdoors, weather permitting.)  During this time, writers are free to expand upon the writing they began in our exercises or explore another genre or writing project of their choice.

Lunch is eaten outside with time for campers to stretch their legs and socialize.

Most afternoons are dedicated to small Writers’ Circles in which campers share a portion of the writing they have done for the day. Others in the group provide supportive feedback and give ideas for revision. Many campers say this is their favorite part of camp.

In addition, we sprinkle in some hands-on activities and “out of the box” thinking exercises to stretch the creative sides of our minds. Both groups will have a guest author on Wednesday morning.

By the end of the week, we will ask our writers to choose one of their pieces-in-progress to include in our camp anthology. They will turn in this piece either as hard copy or send it via email.  Campers will read a portion of this piece in our Writers’ Showcase on Friday afternoon. Participation is optional but encouraged. (Please tell your parents/friends to mark their calendars and join us! All are welcome.)

A note about cell phones and other technology: Camp is a time to focus on your writing, the other participants and the writing coaches. We urge campers to leave all technology at home. If it is present, it must be turned off and in a backpack (unless you are composing on a laptop). Red Oak accepts NO RESPONSIBILITY for any electronics brought to camp.