Hagan to offer youth writing camp in Imperial

School might be out, but that doesn’t mean the learning has to stop.

Mid-Plains Community College campus in Imperial will host a We Are Writers camp June 24-28. The camp is designed to foster an interest in writing among students in fifth through eighth grades and to provide encouragement as they develop writing skills.

 The camp will be led by Kara Hagan, a short story author with a master’s degree in creative writing, along with guest instructors from across the country.

“My goal is to have a different author speak to the class every day,” said Hagan. “The lineup will consist of writers who specialize in fiction, non-fiction, poetry and comic genres as well as a representative from the publishing industry who publishes an online literary journal. The representative’s message will be that students don’t have to be from a big city to be successful in this industry.”

The camp will meet from 9-11 a.m. at the MPCC Imperial Campus. Students will have the opportunity to work one-on-one with the guest instructors as they create or advance their own writing projects.

“Basically, I’m setting up the type of camp I would have wanted to go to in eighth grade,” Hagan said. “I’m from Omaha originally, but moved to Madrid where my husband farms. I always wanted to be a writer, and now I am. I want rural kids to know that tremendous writing opportunities exist no matter where they live.”

She’s modeling the camp after a similar version in Lincoln.

“I want this one to serve the western part of the state,” Hagan said. “Eventually, it would be great if we could keep growing the camp and make it an annual event for all ages.”

No previous writing experience is required to attend the camp. At the conclusion, participants can send up to 20 pages of their written work to Hagan, and she will turn it into a hardcover book.

“There won’t be any pressure on the kids who sign up to read aloud, or anything like that,” Hagan said. “This camp is just a fun way for them to discover their hopes and dreams for the future.”

The cost of the camp is $59, which includes a book. Those interested in signing up can do so by calling the campus at (308) 882-5972 or emailing hagank@mpcc.edu.

 

The Grant Tribune-Sentinel

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