I want to thank you for the wonderful experience. [My son] has been very excited to participate each day…[I’ve been] impressed with how great you are with each of the kids and with how fun, organized, and informative it has been. He particularly enjoyed working with two famous authors whose work he enjoys.
Calling All Aspiring Young Writers!
During these unusual times with many traditional in-person camps canceled or uncertain, online virtual camps are a great alternative to keep kids busy, learning, and having fun. Whether your emerging writer is determined to be the next JK Rowling, or just looking for a way to expand their creativity and imagination, MYSTERY MAKERS is the place for you.
Middle grade authors Steven K. Smith (The Virginia Mysteries) and Lana Krumwiede (Freakling) are partnering on virtual writers camp for kids ages 8 through 12. These sessions will lead campers through writing exercises, creativity games, and lessons about how to write a great story. We’ll cover topics like description, rough drafts, characters, and we’ll even build our own mystery together!
All camp sessions will be virtual, conducted online through Zoom, so kids can participate from the comfort of their homes. We’d love to have your child (ages 8 through 12) be a part of future sessions! To be notified when future sessions are announced, please complete the contact information form at the bottom of this page. We’d also be happy to answer any questions that you might have.
Details:
CAMP DATES:
SESSION DATES/TIMES: Future sessions TBD, Coming Soon!
WHERE: Online via Zoom
WHO: Girls/Boys Age 8-12
PRICE: $49 per camper (1 day)
Topics Will Include:
- Developing story ideas
- What makes great mysteries?
- Crafting our own group mystery
- Fun writing prompts
- Protagonists and Villains
- Understanding the writing process
- Making great scenes
- Using detail and description
- Creativity and imagination games
Meet Your Teachers
Steven K. Smith
Steven is the author of fourteen books for middle-grade readers across his The Virginia Mysteries, Brother Wars, and Final Kingdom series. The Virginia State Reading Association chose Shadows at Jamestown as a 2019-20 Virginia Readers’ Choice elementary title. Steven’s books have sold over 150,000 copies, and he has spoken at more than 200 elementary and middle school author visits. Steven lives in Richmond, Virginia, with his wife, three sons and a golden retriever.
Lana Krumwiede
Lana began her writing career by creating stories and poems for publications such as Highlights, High Five, Spider, Babybug, The Friend, and Chicken Soup for the Child’s Soul. Her first novel, Freakling (Candlewick, 2012) was names a finalist for SCBWI’s Crystal Kite Member’s Choice Award and an honor book for the International Reading Association’s Intermedia Fiction Award. Freakling was followed by two more novels in The Psi Chronicles, Archon (2013) and True Son (2015). Lana is also the author of the picture book Just Itzy (2015, illustrated by Greg Pizzoli) and editor of the anthology River City Secrets: Stories from Richmond (2016). She has taught writing classes and workshops at Richmond Young Writers, James River Writers, the Visual Arts Center of Richmond, and Writer House in Charlottesville. She lives in Virginia with her husband, her youngest daughter, and three goofy cats.
More Feedback from Parents:
My kids were so engaged. It’s particularly hard to get pre-teen[s] interested in writing, but as I watched them this week, I saw enthusiasm and engagement. Now we have idea notebooks, idea boxes, and an art portfolio for illustrations. Thank you for lighting the spark!
This format is a huge blessing…our son has autism…Despite his talents and love for writing and art, a traditional camp experience…would be very difficult for him to participate in. This has been ideal…I’m more grateful than I can say.
My 10-year-old son loved this camp. He is not a huge fan of writing or virtual anything. He agreed to sign up because his love for reading and Steve’s books are some of his favorites. He had fun in class every day…I have overheard him telling his friends to sign up for the camp because it was so fun.
My 11-year-old son…really enjoy[ed] the experience. As both an English teacher and a parent, I loved overhearing [him] sharing his writing with two authors. He’s had little engagement since schools closed, so it was important to see him create and collaborate with others. We highly recommend the experience.