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YouthWrite Elbow River I Experience 2024

$675.00 CAD

June 30 - July 5, 2024

Day or Overnight Camp For Ages 10-14
An unforgettable experience for creative youth, spending time with quality instructors and other talented peers discussing ideas and sharing their work.

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$675 Subtotal
       

Elbow River I Experience!

PLEASE NOTE: REGISTRATION CLOSES ON JUNE 23, 2024

Day or Overnight Options

    • Ages 10-14
    • June 30 - July 5th, 2024
    • Day camp every day from 8:30am - 9:00pm. Overnighters arrive on Sunday and stay until Friday.
  • FCJ centre: 219 19 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2S 0C8
  • Tuition - two options
  1. $775 - Overnight at FCJ 
  2. $675 - Day camp only

YouthWrite Fees Include

12 hours of daily instruction/activities led by highly qualified instructional and supervisory staff, supervised meals, break times, and evening programs. All supplies are provided as are daily breakfast (only overnighters), lunches, suppers, and snacks. Each participant is required to dress for the weather, bring PPE, indoor/outdoor shoes, and will receive a complimentary copy of YouthWrite: The Magazine.

For those of you new to YouthWrite:

Registration steps continue after registration on this site. After you complete the registration on this site, we ask that you proceed to Campfax, a secure camp database and:

  • fill in important details
  • provide a letter of reference from a teacher/mentor
  • provide the answers to the four YouthWrite questions
  • provide a short sample of writing

You are not fully registered until all steps are completed.


Please note

All fees include $100 non-refundable fee.  No refunds will be made if registration is cancelled after June 23, 2024.

A full refund will be possible in the event an applicant is not accepted into the program or if COVID restrictions require that we cancel or reconfigure camp. YouthWrite Society Canada reserves the right to cancel courses and restrict enrollment. Courses, instructors and supervisors may be subject to change.









When

June 30th - July 5th, 2024

Full Week

Where

FCJ centre:

219 19 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2S 0C8

Who

Guest Instructors thus far:

Timothy Anderson

Hamish Boyd

Aaron Coates

Cobra Collins

Mike Czuba

Rachel "Sunflower " Drouillard

Fif Fernandes

Cecilia Ortiz Luna

Miranda Martini

Masani St. Rose

Spyder Yardley-Jones

More TBA soon!


Special Guest Presenter:

TBA soon!


Blue Pencil Café:

TBA soon!


Our Super Supers:

Ayla Chin

Jessica Davidson

Lead Super Joey Lucius

Pearl Nkomo

Eli Smart

Emily Smith

Keltie Squires

More amazing Supers TBA!


YouthWrite Director-Coordinator:
Gail Sidonie Sobat


Guest Instructors


YOUTHWRITE INSTRUCTORS: THE CREAM OF THE CROP!


Throughout YouthWrite's history, we have prided ourselves on the calibre of our fine instructors.


YouthWrite invites superbly talented and reputable instructors who represent the many facets of the performing, visual, musical, dance, film, and written arts. 


MORE AMAZING INSTRUCTORS TBA SOON!

Timothy Anderson


Bio

Timothy Anderson is a writer, editor, instructor, performer, director, composer, and visual artist whose career has taken him from Yellowknife to Singapore, Australia to Greece, Carnegie Hall to Dollywood, in live productions. He's performed on radio, television and film, and written poetry, novels, screenplays, short stories, opera texts - all with a view to expanding minds and hearts. 


Course

Small Writing, Big Impact! - You don't have to write a novel for your words to change the world. Create memorable mottoes, slogans, affirmations, proverbs and more on themes of joy, wisdom, nature, challenge and dreams.


 

Hamish Boyd


Bio

Hamish Boyd is a writer, musician, actor, photographer, and medical clown. He started acting at age 10. Years later, his solo show, My Autopsy, a dramatic comedy with music, opened with him as a ten-year old Dracula to cover 50 years of his life.  It has been performed everywhere from living rooms to big stages in Canada, the USA, India, and the UK. He published Light in Darkness, a book of photos and poetry, which he turned into a gallery exhibition and solo performance. Recently, Hamish has been featured in India’s biggest sci-fi film, Kalki 2898.  He appeared in its trailer, which has over 42 million views! The film releases on June 27th, 2024. 


Course

Bring your Dreams to Life - Discover the superhero story inside you! Join a fun class where you'll use music, imagination, and theatre games to explore your daydreams, nightdreams and life-dreams. You will create and perform your own amazing story. Unleash your creativity and become the star of your own epic tale!




Aaron Coates


Bio

Aaron Coates, is a director, writer, actor, and acting teacher. He studied acting at Mount Royal University and at École Philippe Gaulier in Paris. Aaron has written comedy shows, true crime dramas, opera libretti, a new adaptation of Greek tragedy, and devised work with actors, singers, and performers of all ages. He spent nine seasons with Dirty Laundry, Calgary’s improvised soap opera, where he directed over 150 episodes.


Course

Eye Say - Discover characters by taking a walk in their shoes! We’ll improvise to find out what makes someone tick, and then write from that experience. Where’s the story going to go? You’ll be in charge of it. Through the creation of an improvised TV show, we’ll dream up a vibrant group of characters and take them on a rollicking adventure.




 Cobra Collins


Bio

Cobra Collins is a Mohkínstsis-based Indigenous and settler poet of significant height. She has represented Calgary on a national level at the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word and was humbled to sit as Indigenous advocate on the Writers’ Union of Canada’s (TWUC) National Council in 2021 and 2022. Her debut short film Hop Along Hang On has been featured nationwide and internationally in numerous film festivals and has won several awards, including Best short film, Black Hills Film Festival. Cobra was also honoured to be shortlisted as a nominee for Calgary's 2016 & 2018 poet laureate. 


Course

A Village of Voices - You've got a lot to say and that's great, but sometimes speaking up can be hard or even scary. The great news is, you don't have to do it alone. Spoken word and slam poetry can help you share your truth in way that makes people really listen. Practice crafting your stories and raising your voices in a collaborative setting. With a focus on community building and teamwork, tackle the topics that mean the most to you and help you feel safe to share it on a stage. We're in this together! Let's get loud!




Mike Czuba


Bio

Mike Czuba is a writer with a BFA and MFA in Playwriting. Originally from Montreal, he is currently an Instructor at the University of Calgary and co-founder of the performance collective Dancing Monkey Laboratories. Most recently he released a book called NO SHORTCUTS – The Five Chambers, a Practical Guide to Finding Your Own Creative Process. His play I AM I (Original Works Publishing) has been internationally produced. A scene from his play REPRISE is published in Playwrights Canada Press’ new anthology, Refractions: Scenes (2020). Multiple plays have been presented in Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Jersey, Texas and Amsterdam. His most recent play AFTER MOURNING, about Johanna Bonger, the woman who saved van Gogh’s art, has had staged readings in Calgary, Red Deer, Beaumont, Texas, Ontario, and in Chicago. The next reading is in May 2024 in Edmonton – with a full production by Shadow Theatre, scheduled for April 2025.


Course

Ideas are Everywhere! - There is no such thing as not having ideas. Using short, quick writing exercises, prompts, discussions and sharing,  open up the early writing process and discover that ideas—for your plays, scenes, films, stories—are indeed everywhere!




Rachel "Sunflower" Drouillard


Bio

Rachel Drouillard's yoga journey started with a $5 Ginger Spice yoga video in 2001. In 2011, she proudly became an instructor. In 2012, she packed her bags and ventured to India for a year to learn more. Since then, she's become a yoga sponge, soaking up knowledge by taking countless hours of training from kids' yoga to yoga therapy. She is a lively individual who tries to live life to the fullest. Rachel's happy and light-hearted self shines through in all her classes. She is transparent, honest, and real, and encourages you to show up on the mat 'exactly as you are’. Besides yoga you can find Rachel at the climbing gym, hiking, riding her bike, writing, snowboarding, reading, or hanging out with her family. 


Course

Be a Bus!! - Buses are amazing! They welcome everyone, embracing diversity in race, pronouns, and abilities, showing respect to all. At their best, buses keep everyone safe and secure on their journey. Resilient and weather-ready, they adeptly navigate even the tightest spots. When feeling threatened, they close their doors, maintaining strong boundaries. This week, we'll explore being a bus through various mindfulness practices. From meditation to writing from the subconscious mind, it's going to be an exciting ride.




 Fif Fernandes


Bio

Fif Fernandes' acting journey began as the Third Little Pig in The Three Little Pigs. She then dazzled audiences as Goldilocks in the tale of the three bears. Her real drama hit in Grade 6 when she was denied the role of Snow White because her skin wasn't white as snow. "Harumph!" she declared. Not to be daunted by this injustice, she convinced the powers-that-be that she was the only one who had hair as black as ebony. She got the part. Fif now uses writing, acting, and clowning to inspire change. She’s an international award-winning medical clown, director, actor, and coach.  Recently, she wrote a coloring storybook, Jumpa’s Joyous Journey, about her hospital clown adventures. Along with Hamish, she founded MeDiClown Academy in India; they have touched the lives of over 100,000 people internationally.


Course

TA DA! - Scared? Shy? Nervous? Become unshakable and unstoppable as you explore using mirrors, puppets, voice, movement, laughter, and juggling. Dive deep into who you truly are. Writing prompts will help you to tell your story. Then you will have the opportunity to use distinctive voices and movements to explore the different dimensions of you and to believe in yourself!




Cecilia Ortiz Luna


Bio

Cecilia Ortiz Luna is a novelist and flash fiction writer originally from the Philippines. Pre-Canada, she was a criminal lawyer, horoscope writer, and karaoke queen. She loves books, reads a lot of them, wrote a few of them, and has formed book clubs to talk about them. Cecilia recently received a Calgary Arts Development grant to complete her novel featuring Filipino folklore monsters like the manananggal, a flying, baby-eating woman and the kapre, a cigar-chomping tree demon. 


Course

The Diverse Universe - Canada is a country bursting with colors of different cultures. Stories are richer and more realistic when they reflect the diversity of our Canadian community. Writing about people from different cultures is fun but also requires respect and sensitivity.

Learn:

  • how to write about people whose experiences are different from your own;
  • how to be inclusive in your storytelling; and
  • how to write characters-of-color without resorting to stereotypes.




 Miranda Martini


Bio

Miranda Martini is a musician, writer, composer, and performer for theatre, film, television and beyond. She is currently working on a chooseable-path audio dating sim set in inner-city Calgary, to be launched this summer on the Story City app. As a former camper, instructor and super, Miranda is excited to be back at YouthWrite for another year!


Course

How to Listen Like a Songwriter -  Every good songwriter knows that music is everywhere — we just have to train our ears to hear it! Even if you don’t sing or play an instrument, you can still make music as long as you know how to listen. Together, we’ll practise listening like a songwriter and transform raw noise ore into polished song gems. Bring an instrument, if you have one; bring your ideas for songs or works-in-progress, but most importantly, bring your bravery and your sense of play.




 Amanda Torres


Bio

Amanda Torres is an independent animator. Her love of painting, printmaking, collaging, and drawing make up her multi-media animation style. She loves to teach, whether it's about animation, music, or her area of academic expertise: physics and math. In her free time, she makes and distributes zines. Her hopes are to bring together her talents to aid in community building. 


Course

Quick Draw Animation - Do you like films like Coraline and Wallace and Gromit? Do you ever wonder how these films are made? Learn the basics of animation through the magical technique of cut-paper stop-motion animation! Use our down-shooter cameras and a professional stop-motion program to make short narrative animated films from storyboarding, asset-making to animation! You'll receive a digital copy of your film at the end of the week!



 Masani St. Rose


Bio

Masani (she/her) is born and raised in Mohkinstis (Calgary, AB). She immersed into learning about her ancestral roots through dance at the tender age of three, specializing in West African and Carribean dance. Upon the introduction to dance, Masani found passion for the West African traditions, culture and style. Through training under Michèle Moss-Johnston at Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, she was able to build her foundation. Still working very closely with Michèle Moss-Johnston and various other artists from Guinea, West Africa, she finds every opportunity to take master classes from artists from various regions of Africa, including Congo, Uganda, Ghana, Mali, Guinea and Zimbabwe. Throughout the years, Masani has worked with various studios and professional groups across Canada. It is her mission to keep the art and culture alive from soul to sole!


Course

Connecting from Soul to Sole - Explore movement and words! Using traditional Guinea, West African storytelling through movement and capturing thoughts, reflections and findings on paper. Find your soul through your sole!




 Spyder Yardley-Jones


Bio

Spyder Yardley-Jones is an internationally recognized cartoonist, painter and sculptor. He has been teaching at YouthWrite since its inception. Spyder's artwork has been on exhibition in the US and Canada including The Art Gallery of Alberta. He has illustrated an award-winning graphic novel and created the artwork for Theatre Network's production of HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH. Spyder illustrated the forthcoming graphic comic, THE LOFTS, written by Rylan Kafara, which will be published in both digital and hardcopy.!


Course

I'm A Wee Beastie - Time to sculpt, YouthWriters! Using aluminum foil and masking tape you'll create what you would look like as a wee beastie . This will be followed by a written description of your beastie life.



 

 Blue Pencil Café with Cobra Collins


Bio

Cobra Collins is a Mohkínstsis-based Indigenous and settler poet of significant height. She has represented Calgary on a national level at the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word and was humbled to sit as Indigenous advocate on the Writers’ Union of Canada’s (TWUC) National Council in 2021 and 2022. Her debut short film Hop Along Hang On has been featured nationwide and internationally in numerous film festivals and has won several awards, including Best short film, Black Hills Film Festival. Cobra was also honoured to be shortlisted as a nominee for Calgary's 2016 & 2018 poet laureate. 


Activity

Blue Pencil Café - Share a piece of writing with our resident editing expert and get constructive feedback on your wordsmithery! Poetry, fiction, dialogue, plots, operas, plays - our Blue Pencil expert can help you with your craft. Sign up is daily at camp.


The Amazing Supers

Handpicked and multi-talented, YouthWrite Supers are the centre of our camps. As artists, teachers and mentors, they bring the X-Factor to YouthWrite.


MORE AMAZING SUPERS TBA SOON!

Ayla Chin   


Ayla Chin is a student at the University of Alberta pursuing a degree in bioinformatics. They are a music instructor who teaches a variety of instruments and genres. They love to write and record music, as well as perform with their band across local venues. Ayla loves to learn and do their own research projects, additionally creating educational resources and activities to share. They are super excited to join Youthwrite this summer and become Gail’s favourite!




Jessica Davidson

Jessica Davidson is a movie theatre manager by day, an avid movie-goer by night, and has spent the majority of her life dreaming of making those movies herself. While studying Film and Video Production at the University of Regina, she found time to work with The Living Skies Student Film Festival, Regina Little Theatre, UR Improv, CJSW radio, and on the 2018 feature SuperGrid. She is excited to be bringing the experience of these many hats, and her experience as a former YouthWriter to camp this summer in her Super debut and as Gail’s soon-to-be favourite! 



Joey Lucius

Joey Lucius - Lead Super 


Joey Lucius is a Canadian Comedy Award-winning performer and has been a staple at Edmonton’s Rapid Fire Theatre since 2007. He’s also a real life certified teacher! As a writer, Joey is a contributor to the online Beaverton, and is currently developing a project about the Filipino-Canadian experience that received a letter of interest from the CBC. He thinks birds are cool! And he knows he is Gail’s favourite!




Pearl Nkomo


Pearl Nkomo (they/them) is a performer and writer who has been involved with writing since Grade 3, and theatre since Grade 5. They were a student at Central Memorial High School in the Performing and Visual Arts program and have since worked on shows in both community and professional theatre. Currently enrolled at SAIT in the journalism program, Pearl is set to graduate in June 2024 and will be attending the University of Calgary in the fall! They are excited to join the YouthWrite team and become Gail (Anna’s) favourite!




Maia Tustonic

Maia Tustonic is a journalism and political science student at Carleton University with a passion for shining light on untold stories. A proud alumna of various theatre and choir programs in Calgary, and currently an editor at the Charlatan and the Carleton Global Review, Maia has loved writing, theatre, and singing for as long as she can remember. She is beyond excited to return to YouthWrite for another summer full of imagination and friendship, plus being Gail’s favourite!




Eli Smart


Eli Smart (He/They) is a local award-winning director/writer/producer from YYC. He started writing prose at the age of 9 which, in turn, kickstarted his filmmaking and theatre journey, which he began at age 15. Eli’s passion for filmmaking has given them many amazing opportunities, and shown him that the best part about the arts is the community surrounding it. Whether it’s staying up late with your friends trying to finish a project, or sharing ideas while juggling the ones you already have, being in the arts is one of the greatest joys in the world, and Eli is honored to be a part of it!! They are also eager to become Anna’s favourite! 




Emily Smith  

Emily Smith is so stoked to be joining the YouthWrite team this year! Emily recently graduated from the first MacEwan BFA program and is an actor, playwright, and clown in the Edmonton area. Currently, they are working on a cabaret and writing a musical! When not working in the arts, Emily works in North Edmonton mentoring at-risk youth. Emily's favourite things to write are plays and poems, and some favourite books include A Series of Unfortunate Events, Barkskins, and any play that Sarah Ruhl writes!




Keltie Squires   


Keltie Squires is a graduate of MacEwan’s communications program where she majored in professional communication. She has been involved with the wonderful people at YouthWrite since 2019. She has dabbled as a marketing writer, art model, actor, dancer, social media and marketing manager, and competitive athlete. These days, Keltie is the program director and instructor for multiple martial arts facilities. She is so excited to spend a week with some amazing kids. She knows that deep down, even though it takes her forever to write a bio, she is Gail’s favourite.




YouthWrite Director- Coordinator

Gail Sidonie Sobat


is a multi-award-winning teacher and author, with twelve books for children, teens and adults, and a number of educational and academic articles. A Global News Woman of Vision and an Arts and Culture Citation Award recipient, she is the YouthWrite creator/ coordinator, an international presenter, an instructor in the professional writing program at MacEwan University and in the Faculty of Education at U of A. Gail was The Writers’ Union of Canada Regional Representative for Alberta, NWT and Nunavut, and writer in residence with the Metro Edmonton Federation of Libraries. 


She has moved forty times in her life from Badlands to Siksika Nation Reserve to hideous suburbs to Istanbul to the Sunshine Coast to her writer’s garret in a century-old temperamental house. She adores all of her Supers & Coordinators equally, and loves YouthWrite like a madwoman!



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