Details 2024
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Ages to attend camps
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Activities at writing & theatre camps
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Locations & hours of camps
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Integrity of our camps
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Registering and paying for camps
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Refund policy
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Food during camps
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Personal property and clothing
Ages to attend Inkspire camps
Students entering third grade and finishing twelfth grade. All attitudes are welcome--love writing, dislike writing, meh about writing.
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Ages to attend The Little Apple Theatre Camp
Students entering fifth and finishing ninth grade.
Activities at writing camps
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Our activities encourage creativity and make learning stick: guest speakers, music, art, writing, games. Our first, middle, and last name? FUN!
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Yearly traditions include:
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writing in a unique journal that's designed to continue at home;
learning listening strategies to use with great guest speakers;
singing great music with our wooden spoon tradition;
wearing a great camp t-shirt with a QR code that links to a student's virtual writing work;
painting canvas art project -- this year Van Gogh’s “Wheat Field with Cypresses”;
using the inkPhone as a literary device to revise work;
playing our unique listening game--Camper Feud--on the final day;
participating in a closing program with awards.
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We have feedback that attests to us teaching students how to write "the world's best thank you letters."
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Activities at theatre camp
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Students become a scriptwriter as they learn to adapt sections of Alice in Wonderland for the stage. Students also audition and perform the play for families and friends on the final day.
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Locations & hours of camps
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LEXINGTON camp June 17-21, 2024. Broadway Christian Church, 187 N. Broadway, Lexington (near the Opera House)
WINCHESTER camp July 29-Aug. 2, 2024. Central Baptist Church, 101 W. Lexington Ave., Winchester
The Little Apple Theatre Camp. Alice in Wonderland. July 8-12. Location TBD
Campers become both scriptwriter and performer as they bring their own adaption of this imaginative story to stage.
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HOURS: M-F 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday drop off & registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Families also bring a one-time contribution of snacks for canteen breaks.
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Drop off for other camp days begins no earlier than 15 minutes before camp starts.
Closing programs are Friday at 2:45 p.m. Family & friends welcome.
Early drop-off available for an extra fee. No after hours options.
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Integrity of our camps
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and a member of Kentucky Nonprofit Network. We have a long tradition with our writing camps--11 years in the Central Kentucky region. Summer 2024 marks our first year with The Little Apple Theatre Camp. Our teachers and college interns are trained to provide quality experiences with students.
Why We Write Inc. also brings free programs to schools that are focused on writing and listening. We will even custom tailor experiences--just by asking! To schedule a program for students and teachers email Jacqueline Hamilton, executive director at jaccqueline@whywrite.org
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Our experience statement: When students have fun, motivation to learn zooms--and learning sticks.
Registering and paying for camps
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Navigate to the Apply for Camp page to complete a virtual application. Camps are limited to 36 students with a maximum of 12 students in each group. Families will receive an email notifying them about availability with instructions to pay online. Fees for the 2024 camps have not been determined.
All registered families will receive a one-page PDF to print out. This handout provides a quick summary about the details for the camp for which they have registered.
Refund policy
No refunds if cancellation is within 8 weeks of the start date of the camp. Camp fees can be transferred to another student. Cancellation requests are made to: jacqueline@whywrite.org.
There are no refunds if students are dismissed for cause. Students will be given all supplies.
Food during camps
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Each student brings a lunch or dinner in a bag that is plainly marked with student first and last name. Students also must bring a water bottle that is plainly marked with student first and last name. Refrigeration or microwave not available. On the first day of camp, camp families bring a required contribution for the camp canteen: a minimum of 20 non-sugary or limited sugar snacks to share with others. Snacks should be individually wrapped such as chips, popcorn, cheese/crackers, fruit gummies, granola bars. No cookies or candies, please.
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Personal property & clothing
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In the writing camps, students have art lessons with acrylic paints and should dress appropriately.
Each non-rain day includes outdoor recreational times.
The camp is not responsible for the loss of personal property. Cell phones can be a distraction and should not be out except in an emergency or involving pick up. Teachers follow these rules the same as students. Teachers do have their cell phones with them to check to respond to any parent messages, but not for personal business. Parents will have the cell phone # of their children's small group teacher the first day of camp.
We value your commitment to your child’s enrichment and want to make every second count.