YouthWrite®, a camp for kids who love to write...just about
anything!© began
in 1996 as a program of the Alberta Foundation
for the Arts. For 28 years we have offered creative immersion camp
experiences that address and promote twenty-first century multiple
literacies. Creative arts and creative writing are the foundation to
critical and creative thinking, and we have worked tirelessly to bring
both into the lives of young Albertans. Our values and our programs
are built around supporting diversity and practicing inclusion, both
in reaching out to participants and when hiring staff. Our camps have
hosted thousands of youth over the years, many of whom identify as
LGBTQ2S+, BIPOC, New Canadians, Francophones, low-income or persons
with a disability. YouthWrite is a safe and creative space, conducive
to building friendships, resilience, and sound mental health. We
provide educational arts programming for youth throughout the province
both in person and online. We use a multi-disciplinary approach to
writing that gives participants a chance to learn many new skills,
such as poetry, dance, music, art, screenwriting, table-top gaming,
theatre and improvisation, playwriting, self-reflection, meditation,
yoga, and more, all while honing critical writing and thinking skills.
Our young storytellers find support, resources, and community through
our programming, and so many have told us that YouthWrite is a
life-saving experience.
In our 28 years of operating as an arts organization in Alberta, we have never turned away a child in need for financial reasons, and all participants are subsidized by half of the total cost due to our year long fundraising and sponsorship efforts.
None of these efforts are possible without our amazing donors and sponsors, who help us provide these life changing experiences for Alberta youth. By donating to YouthWrite, you are helping us to fund the operating costs that go on behind the scenes, helping to keep the lights on in our office, paper in the printer, and helping to pay our staff who work year round to plan, market, promote, facilitate and operate these amazing camp experiences.
