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.
Next Meeting Is:
Welcome!
Register now for our classes, clubs, and educational programs today. Play with your words!
www.alexandrawriters.org
BLUE PENCIL
One of the best things you can do for yourself as a writer is to have your work reviewed throughout the creative process. Have a small portion of work reviewed or get advice on the process or the local writing community in general. More information HERE
December 10, Monday, Home School Intensive - Dungeons and Dragons – Kim Firmston – Learn problem solving, teamwork, character building, and story arc in this fantasy storytelling game. 10:30-2:30, all grades. Register here.
December 10, Monday, Reality Is Optional Writing Club. Come and join us for writing games and friendship with others who love words. This meeting we are playing Space Race! The most entertaining way to learn how to build characters and backstory. 5:00-6:30 PM. Free for club pass holders. Register here
December 12, Wednesday, CPL Central Reality Is Optional Writing Club. Come on down to the NEW Central Calgary Public Library. Check out the new digs and get ready for some writing games in the Study Hall at the north point of the third floor in the teen centre. We're going to have some serious fun! And it's free! Teens 13-19, Drop in - 4:00-5:30 PM
December 13, Thursday, Novelmancers presents the AWCS Youth Open Mic. Everyone welcome, no drop in fee but bring an item or two of nonperishable food for the ACS Christmas Hamper Food Drive. Celebrate all the young writers who survived NaNoWriMo and have fun reading your work, performing music, drawing on the spot, acting a skit, reading poetry, or even improving a scene - so long as it is under 5 minutes, anything goes. 5:00-6:30 PM
December 15, Saturday, Dungeons and Dragons club. Play the best fantasy game in town! Work with others to solve traps, find treasure, and battle monsters as fantasy creatures with awesome powers. Never played before? Not a problem, we'll get you set up and playing in no time. Have your own character? Great. Bring your third level / fifth edition character to the table and we'll set you up with a party. 6:00-9:00 PM. Free for club pass holders. Register here
December 16, Writers' Circle, 10:30-12:30, Oh no, I’ve run out of juice Are you running out of ideas, no writing energy left whatsoever and you’re afraid it won’t ever come back? Let’s talk. We’ll discuss where you’re at and some helpful techniques to get you writing again, even if you’re feeling uninspired. $10.00 for members / $20.00 for non-members. *Adults and Youth View Course Details & Register
December 16, Sunday, Poetry Cafe, 12:30-2:30 Poetry Cafe combines poetry prompts or exercises to generate poems with workshopping and discussion. It’s great for both emerging and established poets, and it’s open to poets of all ages. Join us to write with prompts from 12:30-1:45 and workshopping from 1:45-2:30. Great for both emerging and established poets and it’s open to poets of all ages. Let’s have some fun and write together. $10.00 for members / $20.00 for non-members. *Adults and Youth View Course Details & Register
December 17, Monday, Reality Is Optional Writing Club. The annual winter LARP QUEST. Figure out the puzzles, fight monsters and each other with swords, and run around outside in the snow. Hot chocolate and cookies provided. Dress for the weather, bring a water bottle, and whatever asthma medications you need (swords provided). 5:00-6:30 PM. Free for club pass holders. Register here
December 18, Tuesday, Rogue Poets Poetry Club. Be prepared to have everything you think about poetry blown away by this unique and inspiring poetry club. Have fun experimenting with what poetry can be while you take it to the outer edges. 5:00-6:30 PM. Free for club pass holders. Register here
December 19, Wednesday, CPL Crowfoot Reality Is Optional Writing Club. Come on down to the program room at the Crowfoot Calgary Public Library for some writing games. Free, drop in! 7:00-8:30 PM
December 20, Thursday, Pen & Panel - Comic Creation Class. A class for kids looking to create comics on line and on paper. 5:00-6:30 PM. Register here.
December 21- January 2 - AWCS Youth Programs are closed.
January 3, Thursday, Pen & Panel - Comic Creation Class. A class for kids looking to create comics on line and on paper. 5:00-6:30 PM. Register here.
January 5 and 6, Saturday and Sunday - AWCS Casino at Cowboys. If you are an adult and would like to volunteer please go HERE.
January 9, Wednesday, Can You Hear Me Now? All ages open mic and poetry slam. Shelf Life books - 1302 4 St SW, 6:30-8:30 PM, Free!
January 10, Thursday, Novelmancers Novel Writing Club - If you are serious about writing and are working on a long project or just about to start one, join us for friendship, support, and education on various topics to do with the craft of writing a novel. 5:00-6:30 PM. Free for club pass holders. Register here
Register now for our classes, clubs, and educational programs today. Play with your words!
www.alexandrawriters.org
BLUE PENCIL
One of the best things you can do for yourself as a writer is to have your work reviewed throughout the creative process. Have a small portion of work reviewed or get advice on the process or the local writing community in general. More information HERE
December 10, Monday, Home School Intensive - Dungeons and Dragons – Kim Firmston – Learn problem solving, teamwork, character building, and story arc in this fantasy storytelling game. 10:30-2:30, all grades. Register here.
December 10, Monday, Reality Is Optional Writing Club. Come and join us for writing games and friendship with others who love words. This meeting we are playing Space Race! The most entertaining way to learn how to build characters and backstory. 5:00-6:30 PM. Free for club pass holders. Register here
December 12, Wednesday, CPL Central Reality Is Optional Writing Club. Come on down to the NEW Central Calgary Public Library. Check out the new digs and get ready for some writing games in the Study Hall at the north point of the third floor in the teen centre. We're going to have some serious fun! And it's free! Teens 13-19, Drop in - 4:00-5:30 PM
December 13, Thursday, Novelmancers presents the AWCS Youth Open Mic. Everyone welcome, no drop in fee but bring an item or two of nonperishable food for the ACS Christmas Hamper Food Drive. Celebrate all the young writers who survived NaNoWriMo and have fun reading your work, performing music, drawing on the spot, acting a skit, reading poetry, or even improving a scene - so long as it is under 5 minutes, anything goes. 5:00-6:30 PM
December 15, Saturday, Dungeons and Dragons club. Play the best fantasy game in town! Work with others to solve traps, find treasure, and battle monsters as fantasy creatures with awesome powers. Never played before? Not a problem, we'll get you set up and playing in no time. Have your own character? Great. Bring your third level / fifth edition character to the table and we'll set you up with a party. 6:00-9:00 PM. Free for club pass holders. Register here
December 16, Writers' Circle, 10:30-12:30, Oh no, I’ve run out of juice Are you running out of ideas, no writing energy left whatsoever and you’re afraid it won’t ever come back? Let’s talk. We’ll discuss where you’re at and some helpful techniques to get you writing again, even if you’re feeling uninspired. $10.00 for members / $20.00 for non-members. *Adults and Youth View Course Details & Register
December 16, Sunday, Poetry Cafe, 12:30-2:30 Poetry Cafe combines poetry prompts or exercises to generate poems with workshopping and discussion. It’s great for both emerging and established poets, and it’s open to poets of all ages. Join us to write with prompts from 12:30-1:45 and workshopping from 1:45-2:30. Great for both emerging and established poets and it’s open to poets of all ages. Let’s have some fun and write together. $10.00 for members / $20.00 for non-members. *Adults and Youth View Course Details & Register
December 17, Monday, Reality Is Optional Writing Club. The annual winter LARP QUEST. Figure out the puzzles, fight monsters and each other with swords, and run around outside in the snow. Hot chocolate and cookies provided. Dress for the weather, bring a water bottle, and whatever asthma medications you need (swords provided). 5:00-6:30 PM. Free for club pass holders. Register here
December 18, Tuesday, Rogue Poets Poetry Club. Be prepared to have everything you think about poetry blown away by this unique and inspiring poetry club. Have fun experimenting with what poetry can be while you take it to the outer edges. 5:00-6:30 PM. Free for club pass holders. Register here
December 19, Wednesday, CPL Crowfoot Reality Is Optional Writing Club. Come on down to the program room at the Crowfoot Calgary Public Library for some writing games. Free, drop in! 7:00-8:30 PM
December 20, Thursday, Pen & Panel - Comic Creation Class. A class for kids looking to create comics on line and on paper. 5:00-6:30 PM. Register here.
December 21- January 2 - AWCS Youth Programs are closed.
January 3, Thursday, Pen & Panel - Comic Creation Class. A class for kids looking to create comics on line and on paper. 5:00-6:30 PM. Register here.
January 5 and 6, Saturday and Sunday - AWCS Casino at Cowboys. If you are an adult and would like to volunteer please go HERE.
January 9, Wednesday, Can You Hear Me Now? All ages open mic and poetry slam. Shelf Life books - 1302 4 St SW, 6:30-8:30 PM, Free!
January 10, Thursday, Novelmancers Novel Writing Club - If you are serious about writing and are working on a long project or just about to start one, join us for friendship, support, and education on various topics to do with the craft of writing a novel. 5:00-6:30 PM. Free for club pass holders. Register here
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. 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. 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 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). Grades 5-12. 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 and up. (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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