The Author’s Club
Summer Camp at Book Passage
with instructor Kate Mahoney
July 31 - August 4, 2023
Mon - Fri, 10:00AM - 3:00PM
Book Passage Corte Madera
For kids entering 3rd - 6th grades
$395 for full week session
Do you have an aspiring young writer in your home? A storyteller? A book lover?
This is the summer camp for them!
WHAT: For kids entering 3rd to 6th Grade, this weeklong camp will include fun and challenging activities to guide the young writers through creating their own short story or book. Campers will take the journey of storytelling through every stage: from conceptualization to execution.
HOW: We will use our surroundings, both in the bookstore and outdoors, to find inspiration for sensory details. Each day will consist of refining technique through writing exercises, games, and reading works of published children’s book authors. Students will regularly workshop their writing with the group to help them become more reflective writers. There will also be time for crafts, so the authors can create their own illustrations, covers, and bound books.
Kids will unleash their imagination through:
- creating characters
- developing plot
- crafting descriptive settings
- generating interesting dialogue
- making creative book covers
FUN: While writing is the focus, we will also be playing lots of games and getting outside! Movement will be included each day through morning games and lunchtime outdoor adventures.
Join us for an opportunity to build writing skills, meet like-minded kids,
and experience the accomplishment of producing a finished product!
The Week
Day One: Character: Creating and developing your story’s characters
Day Two: Elements of Plot: How to create a compelling story
Day Three: Setting: Finding Inspiration from what’s around us
Day Four: Dialogue: What to say and how to say it
Day Five: Completion: Putting It all together
Example Day
10:00AM-10:30AM: Welcome: check-in and charades to get the creative juices flowing
10:30AM-10:45AM: Overview of story element: Setting
10:45AM-11:15AM: Exploration: Find inspiration from what’s around: explore the store and outside plaza. Jot down what you hear, see, smell, feel.
11:15AM-12:00PM: Writing time: Return to the classroom for writing about your experience
12:00PM-1:00PM: Lunch/Movement
1:00PM-1:15PM: Reading for writing: Read and discuss the writing of a children’s book or passage
1:15PM-2:00PM: Writing time: work on a segment of your story
2:00PM-2:30PM: Workshop: Share work with class
2:30PM-3:00PM: Game time: bananagrams (or other words/storytelling game)
* This schedule is subject to change. It is here to give a general sense of what the days will look like.
Please direct all questions about The Author's Club to classes@bookpassage.com
* Limited scholarships available. Please email classes@bookpassage.com to inquire about eligibility and availability.
Kate Mahoney is a Middle School English and Service Learning Teacher as well as the Director of Aftercare at Marin Horizon School in Mill Valley, CA. Kate has a BA from University of Central Florida and a Masters in English from George Mason University. She loves swimming, hiking, photography, and of course writing! Kate's experience as a teacher and camp counselor make her the perfect fit for The Author's Club.
Cancellation policy:
Our cancellation policy is as follows:
- Cancellations made within 24 hours of registration are eligible for a full refund.
- Cancel by April 16 for a full refund, less a $50 administrative fee.
- Cancel by June 16 for a refund, less a fee of 15% of the total tuition and a $50 administrative fee.
- No refunds offered for any cancellations made after June 16.
- We can not offer prorated fees or refunds for partial participation.
- If Book Passage must cancel the camp (e.g. for low enrollment, COVID or other health issues), we will do so two weeks before the camp and a full refund will be issued to all campers.