“Writing with Smiles” has always been the slogan during Young Writers' Camp activity. We teach writing as a process in a relaxed, non-threatening environment. Each day, we challenge our young writers to find reasons to write and to shape their ideas and experiences into meaningful written communication that is intended for a reading audience. Writers’ Workshop incorporates mini-lessons on specific content and editing strategies, time for drafting and revising, peer response, teacher conferencing, and publication. It is a time for young writers to extend what they can already do in writing and a time to risk, to create breakthroughs, and to become full fledged members of “The Literacy Club.”

Inside the Camp and at the same time, the South Basin Writing Academy has been especially designed for high school students: different emphasis, content, and a different identity
altogether. It has been our way of making these sections more adult and more inviting to match the sophistication of the teenage writer. As in grades 1-8, the sections will be organized though Writers’ Workshop, but the Academy will also address particular concerns and interests: specific genres required at this level, literature and reading, grammar, and personal growth through writing.