Laura Clark Scovel Education Center
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Shall I bring my computer? Yes, we have wi-fi access indoors and out. Can you bring a laptop? Please include the printer cable, too. If you do not have a laptop, consider borrowing one from a friend or asking your school. (If you are borrowing one from school, make your arrangements now because many schools are closed during July.) Or let us know and we will help.
2. Can we arrange carpools? Absolutely! Once all the applications are processed, we want to share some basic information about each of you campers, and one reason is so that you can plan your travel to be the most efficient possible. You’ll have most of July to work on that.
3. What’s the deal on scholarships? Some scholarship funds are available and all you need to do is to write a letter (email is fine, too) stating why you need some financial support. This will be reviewed by a small committee, so think about the questions they might have and try to pre-empt them. We may have partial and full scholarships. Some of that depends upon the demand.
4. When is tuition due? Once you have heard from us formally, send your $175 tuition to Writers @ Harriman. The details will be in the information we send out. Once that check is received, it’s a done deal. You’re set to go!
5. Will I have any expenses once I get to Writers @ Harriman? Probably not. For one thing, all our meals are catered and the writing supplies are furnished. The visitors center has just a few snacks. In some ways, this will be like a camping trip in the wild. You might want to bring your favorite snack that will travel well. Forget the premium dark chocolate bars (my favorite) and ice cream sandwiches (shoot!). Try apples, nuts, granola bars. Maybe some extra ones to trade, too.
Workshops
A select group of high school students who like to write and be outdoors will explore and live in the park for a week, August 1 through 7. The instructors are professional writers who have had extensive experience working with high school students. Although the emphasis will be upon writing, ample time is allowed for hiking and music, swimming and horseback riding. Students arrive on Sunday before 5 p.m., settle in, and have dinner. Then we will get acquainted with the writers and each other, and review the basic plan for the week. Breakfast is at 8:30 daily, followed at 9:00 by a craft talk from a guest or teaching writer. At 10:00, students work with their writers, using the outdoors as their classroom and allowing time for small group and one-on-one interaction. This group is the same all week, sort of home base. Lunch is at 12:30, and at 1:15 students choose their elective groups. The electives will be for two days with the same choices available, again for the next two days.
A select group of high school students who like to write and be outdoors will explore and live in the park for a week, August 1 through 7. The instructors are professional writers who have had extensive experience working with high school students. Although the emphasis will be upon writing, ample time is allowed for hiking and music, swimming and horseback riding. Students arrive on Sunday before 5 p.m., settle in, and have dinner. Then we will get acquainted with the writers and each other, and review the basic plan for the week. Breakfast is at 8:30 daily, followed at 9:00 by a craft talk from a guest or teaching writer. At 10:00, students work with their writers, using the outdoors as their classroom and allowing time for small group and one-on-one interaction. This group is the same all week, sort of home base. Lunch is at 12:30, and at 1:15 students choose their elective groups. The electives will be for two days with the same choices available, again for the next two days.
At 3:00, field trips, bookmaking class,
historic tours, horseback riding, writing conferences, and other activities are
available—student’s choice. Campers will also do a service project directed by
the Harriman State Park staff. Dinner is at 6:00. After dinner activities change
every day, and some call for student participation.
Families and friends are
invited to the reading on Friday, August 7 at 7:00 p.m. Students will share some of
the writing
they have worked on during the week. Camp breaks up following breakfast (and
thorough cleaning of the dormitory) on Saturday morning.