Welcome to the
AWCS Youth Programs
Fostering creativity, community, and youth leadership in an accepting environment.
Need a place that understands you? Come and join the us. Youth led, adult mentored. Writing games, art, improv, friends, and creativity. Ages seventeen and under*. Play with your words — all you need is a notebook and pen.
*some programs include nineteen-year-olds.
*some programs include nineteen-year-olds.
Next Meeting Is:
Welcome!
Register now for our classes, clubs, and educational programs today.
www.alexandrawriters.org
YOUNG JOURNALIST PROGRAM - Starting this fall EXPLORE! DIG! WRITE! With the Young Journalist Program. This elite program allows Young Journalists to meet professionals in many fields of journalism, enabling them to get the real scoop on what journalism is today as well as in the future.
THE SCHEDULE JULY - SEPTEMBER
July 10 – MAKE A MOVIE – with Kim Firmston – Write, plan, film, and edit a movie all in one day and then upload it to YouTube on the RIO TV channel so you can show your friends and family. Don’t forget the red carpet awards at the end of the day. Fun times! See last year’s creation HERE
July 24 – MADNESS, MYSTERY, MAYHEM! – with Erin Vance – Write stories and characters that thrill and scare you. Find for your inner Sherlock Holmes or Jake Peralta while searching for clues.
August 7- WORLD BUILDING – with Dania Idriss – Spend the day learning the elements of genre and effective world-building, primarily Science Fiction and Fantasy (we will also be looking briefly at comic books) and apply those elements to their writing. Experiment in creating your own imaginative worlds!
August 14 – CHARACTER BOOT CAMP – with Suzy Vadori – Characters make the story, and writers get to make the characters. Personality, actions, appearance, emotions… so many layers go into making characters what we imagine in our minds. In this creative camp, we’ll learn tips and tricks to make our characters jump off the page and run down the street!
WEEK LONG CAMPS AUGUST 19 - 23
Summer Writing Adventures for ages 9-13 – Unlocking the Secrets – with Suzy Vadori
Explore different genres of writing with Themed Days! From non-fiction to the fantastic, mystery to playwriting, get to know how a story arc weaves its way through all our writing. Together we’ll build believable characters and vivid settings in a supportive environment.
Writers will discover their own writing voice and unique style throughout our immersive week, with the chance to create a story of their choosing, as well as write and perform a group play for their peers. Each day of camp, there will be indoor and outdoor activities that will get our creative juices flowing and build excitement about the writing process. Each camper will receive one-on-one coaching from a professional writer during the week to help them along their writing journey. All levels of writers welcome.
Teen Writing Camps for ages 13-17 – Myth, Magic, and Monsters - with Dania Idriss
Draw inspiration from classic tales in order to create something new!
Stories have helped us make sense of our world for centuries, and many of those old myths and folktales are still around today. The world has changed since the Ancient Greeks told their stories about their Gods, or since the Brother’s Grimm collected their tales, but these stories hold a place in our collective imagination. Elements of these old tales still leave traces in today’s literature, as writers build onto the worlds created by our predecessors. Writers from J.R.R Tolkien and J.K Rowling, to Neil Gaiman and Catherynne M. Valente have made use of mythology and folklore in order to create their own fantastic stories and worlds.
Over the course of this week, the students will learn a new myth or folktale from around the world each day. Then write their own stories (or poems) using myths, motifs, and characters in new and original works. All levels of writers welcome.
REGISTER NOW FOR OUR SEPTEMBER TO JUNE PROGRAMMING
SEPTEMBER SCHEDULE (Basic version - more info to come)
Thursday Sept 5, Pen & Panel starts
Monday, Sept 9, Reality Is Optional Kids Writing Club starts (RIO)
Thursday Sept 11, Novelmancers Novel Writing Club starts
Monday, Sept 16, Young Journalist Program starts
Tuesday, Sept 17, Rogue Poets Start
Thursday, Sept 19, Pen & Panel second meeting
Friday, Sept 20, First PD Day
Saturday, Sept 21, First D&D Club meeting (rescheduled due to Alberta Culture Days)
Monday, Sept 23, First day of Homeschool classes
Monday, Sept 23, Second RIO meeting
Saturday, Sept 28, AWCS YOUTH PROGRAMS WELCOME BACK PARTY!
Monday, Sept 30, Second day of Homeschool classes
Where the Heck Are We?
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We are located on the 4th floor, across from the elevator in the AWCS of the cSpace King Edward in Marda Loop.
1721, 29th Ave SW, Suite 460 Calgary, AB T2T 1P5 Or contact us by e-mailing firmstonwriting@gmail.com or using our Contact Us page. Reality Is Optional also has RIO Pod groups at the Calgary Public Library's Central and Crowfoot locations. Register through the CPL website. |
More Information
MEETING DAYS and TIMES:
CLUBS (September - June)
THE CLUBS
CLASSES
Have a need for more formal education in your chosen field? We have a class just for you! The class fees include a full year of classes from the time you sign up. Join in anytime.
Drop-In Fees – Not ready to commit? Have a crazy schedule? Want to check out Pen & Panel? Drop into a session and see what you think. Members $10.00, Non-members $15.00. (Exact change only please).
PD DAYS
Need a fun place to go when school isn’t in? Come and play with us. We have great topics, lots of writing, and a good time spent with new and old friends. The day runs from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. All grades welcome. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER
SOCIAL STUFF
MEMBERS ONLY EVENTS – Created by the youth themselves, these fun Saturday nights may include anything from a party, movie night, board games, or something else. Become a member and find out what we have in store! You can even help plan them by joining the Event Planning Committee (contact Kim Firmston for more information kfirmston@alexandrawriters.org)
AWCS YOUTH STEERING COMMITTEE – Do you want to influence how the AWCS Youth programs are run? Do you want to help them continue to become a thing of greatness? Join us on the steering committee, not only does it look good on your resume/scholarship application, but it is also a wonderful way to support your youth writing community. (contact Kim Firmston for more information kfirmston@alexandrawriters.org)
AWCS YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITY – A couple of times a year our youth are encouraged to join larger projects where we partner with other creative community groups. In the past, we have worked with Rocket House on the International Children’s Festival, Ramsay Robots on BeakerHead, and Calgary Reads for Reading Week, among others. It’s a great way to get some cool stuff on your resume! Contact Kim Firmston to find out what we have in store and how to get involved. kfirmston@alexandrawriters.org
TAKE PART IN WRITING AN E-ZINE (electronic magazine) – four times a year our youth programs come out with an electronic magazine on our website www.realityisoptional.com. Club members and students are encouraged to send in their art, writing, ads, photography, poetry, stories, novel excerpts, and whatever else they have created. We are always looking for new stuff! You can submit on line or in person at one of our club meetings.
WANT TO SEE OUR SCHEDULE? For a complete schedule of AWCS Youth Programs - see above.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS, Need a subsidy? Go HERE
SEE ALL OUR PROGRAMS HERE!
- AWCS YOUTH MEMBERSHIP – $50.00 annually
Become an AWCS Youth Member today! Not only does your membership last a full year from the time you get it, but membership includes discounts on all our classes, clubs, camps, homework help, and more! As a bonus, membership includes five special, members only, events held throughout the year, and a (virtual) Frozen Frog Wand – which allows members to bring a friend to any club or members-only event for free up to three times (after which the frog thaws and hops away).
CLUBS (September - June)
- Whether you want to join one club or bounce through them all using your club pass, our clubs will open up the world of writing to you. Fees include a full year of club participation from the time you sign up. Jump in at any point of the year to start your journey.
- Club Pass – Go to all the clubs and save $100! Club passes are available for $175.00 for Youth Members or $230.00 for Non-members. The pass lasts a full year from the time you get it. GET ONE TODAY
- Drop-In Fees – Not ready to commit? Have a crazy schedule? Want to check out a club? Drop into a session and see what you think. Members $10.00, Non-members $15.00. (Exact change only please).
THE CLUBS
- Reality Is Optional Writing Club (RIO) – Need a place that understands you? Come and join us. Youth-led, adult mentored. Guest speakers, writing games, art, improv, friends, and creativity. Play with your words — all you need is a notebook and pen. RIO meets on the second and fourth Monday of the month from 5:00 – 6:30. (Occasionally rescheduled due to holidays). All Ages up to and including grade 12. Sept-June. (Members $75.00, Non-Members $100.00) Free with Club Pass or register for RIO exclusively.
- Novelmancers Novel Writing Club – Heading out on a long project can be hard, but it’s made easier with friends. If you’re serious about writing and want to get that novel done, join us and lighten the load. We explore all aspects of novel writing from character to climax and everything in between. Novelmancers meet the second Thursday of every month. 5:00-6:30. All Ages up to and including 19 year olds. Sept-June. (Members $50.00, Non-Members $65.00) Free with Club Pass or register for Novemancers exclusively
- Rogue Poets Poetry Club – Explore what poetry can be, then take it past those limits. Join Em Williamson, on a journey to the outer edges of poetry. Rogue Poets regularly have the opportunity to perform on stage as a group or individually (optional). The Rogue Poets meet the first and third Tuesday of every month from 5:00 – 6:30. Grades 7-12. Sept-June. (Members $75.00, Non-Members $100.00) Free with Club Pass or register for Rogue Poets exclusively.
- Dungeons & Dragons Role Playing Game Club – Enjoy fantasy? Want to live it? Then join us for this epic and wildly creative game called Dungeons and Dragons. Battle monsters, solve puzzles, find treasure and learn to work in a team while telling and experiencing your story together. D&D club meets on the last Saturday every month from 6:00 – 9:00 PM (Occasionally rescheduled). Grade 5 to age 19. Sept-May. (Members $75.00, Non-Members $100.00). Free with Club Pass or register for D&D Club exclusively
CLASSES
Have a need for more formal education in your chosen field? We have a class just for you! The class fees include a full year of classes from the time you sign up. Join in anytime.
- Pen & Panel Comic Creation Class (September - June) – Play drawing games, improve your art style, learn to make comics both online and on paper, and pitch ideas, plus lots more! Hang out with like-minded artists and comic writers. Work on individual projects or collaborate. Focus on topics that will help you expand your skill set. Pen & Panel classes are on the first and third Thursday of each month from 5:00 – 6:30. Ages 12 t0 19. (Members $175.00, Non-Members $230.00). – REGISTER
Drop-In Fees – Not ready to commit? Have a crazy schedule? Want to check out Pen & Panel? Drop into a session and see what you think. Members $10.00, Non-members $15.00. (Exact change only please).
PD DAYS
Need a fun place to go when school isn’t in? Come and play with us. We have great topics, lots of writing, and a good time spent with new and old friends. The day runs from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. All grades welcome. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER
SOCIAL STUFF
MEMBERS ONLY EVENTS – Created by the youth themselves, these fun Saturday nights may include anything from a party, movie night, board games, or something else. Become a member and find out what we have in store! You can even help plan them by joining the Event Planning Committee (contact Kim Firmston for more information kfirmston@alexandrawriters.org)
AWCS YOUTH STEERING COMMITTEE – Do you want to influence how the AWCS Youth programs are run? Do you want to help them continue to become a thing of greatness? Join us on the steering committee, not only does it look good on your resume/scholarship application, but it is also a wonderful way to support your youth writing community. (contact Kim Firmston for more information kfirmston@alexandrawriters.org)
AWCS YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITY – A couple of times a year our youth are encouraged to join larger projects where we partner with other creative community groups. In the past, we have worked with Rocket House on the International Children’s Festival, Ramsay Robots on BeakerHead, and Calgary Reads for Reading Week, among others. It’s a great way to get some cool stuff on your resume! Contact Kim Firmston to find out what we have in store and how to get involved. kfirmston@alexandrawriters.org
TAKE PART IN WRITING AN E-ZINE (electronic magazine) – four times a year our youth programs come out with an electronic magazine on our website www.realityisoptional.com. Club members and students are encouraged to send in their art, writing, ads, photography, poetry, stories, novel excerpts, and whatever else they have created. We are always looking for new stuff! You can submit on line or in person at one of our club meetings.
WANT TO SEE OUR SCHEDULE? For a complete schedule of AWCS Youth Programs - see above.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS, Need a subsidy? Go HERE
SEE ALL OUR PROGRAMS HERE!
OUR SPONSORS
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