Summer Camps & Parties

Throughout the school year, I offer presentations, readings, author in residence programs and conduct workshops for children at schools and libraries all across Canada. During the summer months, I am available for presentations and workshops at summer camps, delivering interactive, lively and fun filled sessions for children in grades one to six in Calgary and the surrounding area. I cover many of the topics listed on the Presentations and Workshops page, but am very flexible and am always happy to discuss your organization’s specific needs and requirements.

In recent years I have appeared at many community camps as a visiting author and presenter, in addition to my work with the following organizations:

Calgary Arts Summer School Association – Creative Writing Instructor

Initiated in 1993 by a small group of Calgary music teachers in collaboration with a local piano dealer and incorporated in 1996 as a non-profit society, the Calgary Arts Summer School Association (CASSA) has grown into a comprehensive summer arts program representing numerous artistic disciplines. Since its inception, over 2,500 students have participated in the diverse and innovative programs offered by CASSA, with participants from throughout Alberta and from as far away as the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia and South America.

Calgary Arts Summer School Association - PlayWriting Camp

In a dramatic and fun-filled week of half day camps, children learn how to write, rehearse and perform their own unique play in just five days. Children create the plot, craft the script, write dialogue and hone their acting skills for their very own dramatic production, which will then be performed at the end of the week. In keeping with the 2008 Olympics theme for the CASS MDMA camp, the play will focus on the imaginary events surrounding the creation of the very first Olympic, or rather Olympus, Games, using a cast of eccentric and zany characters drawn from Greek mythology. Learn more about PlayWriting Camp at http://www.calgaryartssummer.com/playwriting.html

The Calgary Learning Centre - Superhero Camp

The Calgary Learning Centre provides programs and specialized services for learning disabilities, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) and literacy issues and I am proud to work with the centre in the development of programs for summer camps. In an exciting series of half day workshops, we explore the superhero genre, before children create their very own hero, complete with costumes, powers, origin tale, secret identity, headquarters, friends, family and one or more archenemies. Children will craft a character synopsis, write a short story in the style of a newspaper article describing an action packed incident involving their hero and his deadliest adversary and create their own unique comic book. You may learn more about The Calgary Learning Centre here

City of Calgary Park and Play Program – Presenter

Presentations and storytelling at outdoor camps for children ages five to twelve.

City of Calgary Community and Neighbourhood Services - Presenter

Workshops on story structure, the writing process, and time travel stories.

Calgary Jewish Community Centre – Presenter

Story creation with younger children during Discovery Week at Explorer Camp.

Family Leisure Centre, Calgary – Presenter

Story creation sessions for younger children.

Westside Recreation Centre, Calgary – Presenter

Presentations and writing exercises on exciting eras and fantastic fantasy for children ages five to twelve.

Braeside Community Centre, Calgary - Presenter

Workshops on story structure, the writing process, time travel stories, character development and more.

Frontier College Calgary – Presenter

Frontier College is a recognized leader in the cause of literacy and learning in Canada from coast to coast. They support children and families, community groups and organizations in high-needs areas through training, workshops, conferences and volunteer placement. I am pleased to have been a presenter at Frontier College’s summer writing camps for children in Calgary. Learn more about Frontier College at http://www.frontiercollege.ca/English/main.htm

Children's Parties

Get The Write Stuff for Your Birthday!

For your next children's birthday party, experience inviting a real live author to share in the festivities!

Create your own unique and incredible adventure, starring you and your friends, in a lively, interactive and fun filled session with an award nominated children's author. Children give full reign to their incredible imagination to conceive their own special story, which will then be professionally edited as a lasting souvenir of their special day. The birthday boy or girl will also receive as a gift the choice of one of my books, personally inscribed and signed by the author. Other party guests will also have the opportunity to purchase autographed books.

A variety of packages are available and can be customized to meet your requirements. Create wacky characters, craft a seasonal adventure in time for Christmas or Halloween, invent your very own superheroes or fantasy creatures, learn all about where ideas come from and how authors turn them into stories.

Company Children’s Parties Need The Write Stuff!

I am also available for company children’s Christmas parties, Halloween, summer and many other varieties of seasonal events with larger audiences. Employing inspiration, imagination and invention, children invent a one of a kind action packed story during a fast paced session where laughter is compulsory. Children will also learn a bout the writing process, where ideas come from and how authors turn them into stories.

Personally inscribed and autographed books are available for prize draws and all party guests will also have the opportunity to purchase autographed copies of all my titles. As with birthday parties, I am happy to customize the event to meet your requirements.