Glen Ellyn Educators Conduct Writing Camp in Galena

Writing Camp in a One-Room Schoolhouse

Imagine this. It's summer. It's deep in the woods and it's quiet except for the sound of nature. There are twelve children sitting and quietly writing a story in a one- room schoolhouse and loving it! Sound impossible?

This summer for the first time, three Glen Ellyn Educators conducted a three-day writing camp at Belden School, an 1859 one-room schoolhouse set deep in the woods of the Mississippi Valley in Galena. "This is a unique summer camp. So different from the normal camps that students attend, because the end product will be the creation of a book…their own book," says Pat HarteNaus, educator and author of the Belden Boy Series. Parents were very supportive and extremely excited because of this unique opportunity for their child. The ratio of one teacher per four students was perfect, because each child received close attention with lessons about the process of writing. The three teachers, Kathleen Brennan, Pat HarteNaus, and Kelley Vail are Level 3 Literacy and Social Studies Teachers for District #41.

The children were in their wooden desks at 9 in the morning for lessons. As one child stated, "I feel like I'm in the old days and I get to write all day. I feel like a real author. It's so peaceful!" Picnic lunch was the only interruption for the budding authors, and then it was right back to work until 2 in the afternoon.

"Hard to believe, but the children didn't even want to take a break, they were so involved with their stories!" HarteNaus points out.

Parents were able to explore Galena and the surrounding area during camp time, but anxious to pick their child up to continue their adventures.

"The Belden Writing Camp was incredible. Hopefully, we will be able to conduct this camp again next year so others can experience writing in the woods!"

Pat HarteNaus is educator and author of the

Belden Boy Series

Winner of 2012 CSAA Award

www.Beldenboy.com