Presenting

Day 10 Presentations and Last Day

The time has come on this memorable summer day for the end of UNCG Young Writer’s Camp of 2014.  I would like to congratulate everyone, to elementary group all the way to the High school students, as well as the caring and supportive faculty members who made this year a moment to remember.  When I asked the students how they felt about their last day of camp, they were really sad.  One student said “I had so much fun.  I can’t believe it’s over.”  Another mentioned “I don’t want to leave!  I wish it lasted the whole summer!” There were students who had smiles on their faces.  “I’m happy not because it is the last day.  I’m happy because of all the fun I had and I’m going to share my book today!”  By the look on their faces, I can see they really enjoyed these two weeks and the camp was really benefited to their education.  I made new friends and gained more writing experience.”  “I learned to write more professionally.”  “There are many kinds of kinds of writing styles in the world.  I never know that better until I came here.”  It helped me be more creative.”  “The camp showed me different way to write stories.”  “The classes were more open and all the teachers helped me, giving more opportunity to learn.”  “I gain new skills which will be useful in the future.” 

The students have come so far on their writing and their presentations but they were really nervous at first.  “It’s my first time in front of an audience.”  “I’m nervous but excited.”  Luckily their families were there to cheer them on, taking pictures of their young author and the staff clapped in honor of the students’ hard work and the joy they brought to camp. Some students presented their flipbooks, others showed their homemade illustrations, read a section of their novels or used Voice thread to narrate their story.  One student gave out cookies for her class during the presentation.  A perfect way to end the two weeks of camp.

I am really going to miss everyone but this was an amazing experience and I am glad I was part of it.  To me, the camp was a complete success and I hope the students will come back next year.  Maybe next year, I’ll come back to help out.  One thing is for sure, the camp reminded everyone that writing is an important part of our daily lives.  My advice to young authors everywhere: Never stop writing, doodling or imagining wondrous creations.  Write them down in a notebook, read every day, research, explore, do improvements, ask a friend for opinions, put the finishing touching, sign your name and then share it with the world.  Most of all, be proud of it because you did it, it was your voice, your work shining beyond the darkness, your story. From the words of C.S. Lewis, author of the book series, The Chronicles of Narnia, “You can make anything by writing.”

This is Melissa Moreno, UNCG Young Writer’s Camp of 2014 blogger, signing off.