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center for writing | minnesota writing project | youth programs | summer camps | parent/guardian information

 

Participation Waiver

Each youth being registered for Minnesota Writing Project Camps must have a waiver signed by a guardian.

• Download the waiver form (a Microsoft Word document). This form is also available by request (email mwp@umn.edu).
• Complete the required boxes, including signer's name, youth's name, relationship, signer's email address, signer's mailing address, and signature.
• Email the completed form to mwp@umn.edu.

Program Information

Ages

Camps are available for young writers entering grades 3–8 in the fall of 2023.

Camp Times

Camps run from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM with convenient check in and check out times. Lunch is not provided, so campers should bring their own.

Check In and Check Out

Check In 8:15 – 9:00 AM 

Check Out 3:00 – 3:45 PM

Early drop off (8:00 AM) and late pick up (4:00 PM) are available for an additional $25 charge each.

CAMP LEADERS

The people who lead our camps are the creative force behind these programs. All Camp Leaders are currently practicing licensed teachers in the state of Minnesota. Many have gone through nationally recognized training through the Minnesota Writing Project’s Invitational Institute. All have been recognized as leaders in their schools by colleagues and by members of the University of Minnesota Department of Curriculum and Instruction and the Department of Writing Studies.

All camp leaders are chosen based on demonstrated excellence in curriculum development and engagement with young writers of all experience levels and degrees of confidence. All camp leaders have successfully completed background checks, Safety of Minors training, and emergency preparedness training. As practicing teachers, they also regularly complete professional development in educational best practices.

Location

All in-person youth camps will be taking place in Nicholson Hall on the University of Minnesota campus.

All virtual camps will take place over Zoom.

Drop Off and Pick Up

Camp Directors will be waiting to check in your camper outside of the north entrance of Nicholson Hall on Pillsbury Drive. If you’re driving, you can pull up and drop off your camper at the entrance, where camp staff will greet you. If you would like to park on campus and walk your child to Nicholson Hall, the nearest parking ramp is the Church Street garage, which charges an hourly fee.

At the end of each camp, staff members will be waiting with students outside of the north entrance of Nicholson Hall on Pillsbury Drive. Similar to drop-off, you can pull up and pick up your student, or park in the Church Street garage.

What to Bring

• Wear comfortable layers of clothes. Weather permitting, we will go outside every day.

• Lunch (we will provide a morning and afternoon snack for the Grades 3–5 Camps)

• Water bottle (optional) 

What to Leave at Home

• Electronic devices such as music players, hand held games, cell phones, apple watches, air pods, etc.

• Fevers and contagious illness (consult the UMN safety guidelines)

• Toys

• Pocket knives, weapons, or look-alike weapons

Behavior

Campers are expected to follow basic rules of safety and respect. Behaviors or incidents of an ongoing, unsafe, serious and/or threatening nature may be cause for removal from the program without refund or credit.

Covid-19 Protocols

We will be taking reasonable steps to reduce the risk of exposure and transmission for all staff, instructors, participants and their families and will incorporate any and all applicable guidelines released by the MDH, CDC, and the University. The University of Minnesota has specific protocols and procedures in place for staff regarding COVID-19 vaccinations and/or testing requirements. These apply to all Youth Programs staff, partners and instructional providers. Please stay home if you have Covid symptoms and contact camp staff if you test positive during your camp.

Contact Information

If you need to contact your child during camp hours, please contact the MWP Camps office at 612-625-6323 or email a Camp Director using the contact information shared in the email you will receive prior to camp.

 

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