Students are writing in the Imaginarium again.
It feels so good, so affirming, so hopeful to say that. It seems like a lifetime since our doors have been swung open in this way. Amplify Summer Camp is well underway and although some things may look different, the heart of the work remains the same - thanks to a whole lot of hard work from Ink staff and generous support from the RCA Community Fund.
On Monday, an Amplify student learns the method by which we will write our book together. On Tuesday, we further explore the stages of the Hero’s Journey through the development of a group story. Throughout the week they write fiction and poetry and creative nonfiction, whatever it is that they need to say. They are treated to activities from several members of our guest artist family such as Freestyle Rapping, Editorial Journalism, Podcasting, and a host of other topics. By Friday, they feel that they have known each other for years AND they cannot believe how fast the time has flown.
The staff knows about this phenomenon; we call it “Ink Time.” Driven by this incredible team’s commitment to the mission, we simply never stop. We showed resilience and dedication by pivoting to online programming during the shelter-in-place order and we are doing so again as we plan our return to modified and safe in-person programs. As summer draws to a close we are busy planning for the upcoming school year, in which we will launch SIXTY-FIVE Find Your Voice workshop series, begin our first full year of Read On! tutoring, and reengage with the community we have missed so much.
On September 16 (916 Ink’s 10th Birthday), we will host a free literacy fair for families. On October 15, we will host our largest fundraiser of the year, InkStravaganza (formerly Hot Literary Nights). We hope to see you soon, at Write Night , signing your student up for our drop in after school programs (registration opening soon for Fall), or at one of our upcoming community events!
