Write with Ink
We believe the answer to Sacramento’s literacy crisis is to engage youth with the literary arts and empower them to love language and stories, thereby making youth more likely to want to read and write more, which will help them excel in life.
The writing workshops are generative, creative, and inspiring. Students listen, write, and share stories in a supportive and confidence-boosting environment. Fundamentally, we use a model called Project-Based Learning because it fuels our belief that youth can collaborate, make creative decisions, and work toward completing a goal of publication by engaging in the writing, editorial, and revising process. Youth excel when given opportunities to be stakeholders in their own education.
Opportunities
Word Squad and Author’s Lab:
Free After-School Programs
Word Squad is our drop-in program for young writers in grades 3 through 6 who want to learn about creative writing in a fun and playful environment. No previous experience needed!
Author’s Lab is for writers in grades 6-12 who have demonstrated an interest in creative writing and want to explore genres and strengthen their skills.
We recommend that students go through a 916 Ink program before attending Author’s Lab.
Amplify! Creative Writing Summer Camp
In week-long creative writing summer camps, students write fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction with 916 Ink staff and guest artists! Over 5 days of workshop sessions with fellow writers, campers learn to engage playfully with language. Each day includes writing prompts and activities to empower these young writers to tell their own story. Local guest artists visit to engage students in new storytelling methods, incorporating fine arts, music, hip-hop rhymes, spoken word, and more.
Write Your Way: One-Day Workshops
Write Your Way is 916 Ink’s free one-day workshop series designed to introduce writers in grades 6-12 to new genres in a fun and positive environment. Each workshop features a guest artist who is an expert on the topic and includes multiple prompts with voluntary sharing and feedback.
Imaginarium Field Trips
916 Ink offers a 3.5 hour creative writing field trip experience for grades K-12 in our Imaginarium creative writing space located at 3301 37th Avenue, Sacramento, CA.
Students will enter the 916 Ink Imaginarium where they will explore a world designed to excite and inspire their creative resources!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get my child involved with 916 Ink?
916 Ink partners with local schools and community partners to administer our workshops throughout Sacramento. For parents whose school is not hosting a program, you can sign your child up for our Word Squad (our drop-in after-school program) or Amplify! Summer Camps.
Where are 916 Ink Workshops held?
916 Ink hosts 50 workshops annually at schools throughout the Sacramento Region. Word Squad and Amplify! Summer Camp programs are held at our primary location in the Maple Community Center - 3301 37th Ave Sacramento, CA.
What age groups does 916 Ink serve?
916 Ink’s Find Your Voice workshops are ideal for youth grades 3-12. Our workshop curriculum is segmented for different age groups. Word Squad After School program and Amplify! Summer Camps are open to all ages, but youth may be divided up by age to ensure appropriate instruction from time to time.
How long is a 916 Ink workshop series?
Our typical school-based workshop series is 12 weeks long, meeting once per week for 1-2 hours. Word Squad After School Program is a 12 session program where students meet once per week for 4 hours a session. Amplify! Summer Camp is a full day week-long workshop repeating multiple times throughout July.
How much does it cost?
We strive to make all of our programming available for free or at reduced cost to parents. School-Based Workshops and Word Squad are 100% free to the public.
Can I bring 916 Ink programming to my child’s school?
We are committed to engaging with all schools in the Sacramento area who are interested in hosting a 916 Ink program. Though most of our programming is grant funded, we also have the ability to provide programs to schools via our fee for service model. To learn more, contact us at info@916ink.org.
