The Nebraska Writing Project is sponsoring two youth writing festivals this year. The first is on Saturday, March 3rd at Elkhorn High School from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The second is at the University of Nebraska at Kearney on April 28th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Both festivals are open to any student or teacher grades 9-12.

Cost per student is $15 early registration: $20 late registration.  Registration includes a t-shirt, notebook, and pencil  (subject to availability with late registrations).

To register or for more information, including scheduling updates, go to the Youth Festival Homepage.

Youth Writing Festival Brochure

“Writing to some people is a joke. To me, it is my life. I have never
been in a place where I have felt so welcome, because of my talent.”
Ellen Garfoot

“I plan to keep on writing, because now, the words just flow in my
head. Before this camp, that did not happen. I think this experience
made me a better writer.” Mandie Livermore

“I enjoyed all the speakers, but I enjoyed most the two boys who played
a guitar and the piano. Their songs sounded like good poems put to
music.” Catie Doran

“This camp was the best experience I have had in a long time, because
not only did I enjoy it, but I could share my writing gift with others.”
Andrea Dai

“I was surprised how many jobs are connected to good writing techniques.”
Taylor Sutherland

“I enjoyed how the teachers at camp were always so energetic and
funny. I admire their passion for writing.” Falesha Jacobs

“Thank you so much for letting me participate in this inspiring camp.
I know that I will continue writing throughout the summer.” Lauren
Bexten

“I have come to writing camp for several years, now, and I want to
come back next time and learn even more about writing well. I am a
writer because writing is my born talent. I’ve been writing ever since
kindergarten. Second grade was when my writing skills skyrocketed. In
that class, I wrote at least 20 short stories. Writing is my life.” Gabby
Albeck

“I want to come back to writing camp again. Maybe, you should make
each camp last for two weeks each year, instead of just one. I am sad
that I never heard of Fine Lines and this camp before now. I am going
to try to write as much as I can for the rest of the summer.” Devin
Grier

“I never would have guessed how much writing I could put into my
notebook in five days of writing camp, and I never would have guessed
how much my writing hand hurts now.” Claire Lavender

“This week was so much fun. I really feel like I have learned a lot while
I was here. I have always loved writing. This writing camp showed me
how much I really love poetry.” Emilee Sloan

“Thank you so much for having this camp every summer. This was
my fourth year in a row, and this year I see how much my writing has
really grown. This year was the best year of the four. To be in a room
with a bunch of writers is a powerful thing. A sense of power is noticeable
when there are so many brilliant minds in one room. I always learn
so much here. Thank you. I think I learned over 100 new vocabulary
words this week.” Emma Vinchur

“I wish the camp could have been longer, but I want to thank you for
inspiring so many young people to write and value good communication.
This is a wonderful talent to have. I think it helps people learn, no
matter how old they are.” Carrie Wogeman

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this writing workshop.
Each time I attend, I discover something new. The first year of
camp, I began my script of Nutcracker Delights, which is now in its
third year of production. The second year gave way to some great ideas,
and I was prolific. This year was the biggest surprise. I created a children’s
picture book, and I have finished chapter 6. I don’t know how
long it will be. Thank you for letting me bring my dancers and perform
for your campers on the Beveridge stage. I look forward to next year’s
camp and the next and the next.” Julian Adair

“The talent and passion of the Fine Lines teachers are contagious. I am
thrilled to be infected by this group. I did not know what I could do
here when we started this week. I only knew this was a stop I needed
to make. I’m so glad I came. My growth is a newly planted seed, just
beginning to sprout. I’m so very excited.” Gretchen White

“I really appreciate all the instructors’ efforts at this writing camp. The
fact that so many young minds are here to be shaped by these passionate
instructors is truly amazing. We all have stories to tell, worlds to explore,
and lives to lead. Writing is so important to the world, and I am
glad you and the teachers are doing your part to encourage good writing
in both young and old alike.” Adam Young

“I have been coming to your camp for four years now, and it just keeps
growing and growing. When I first came here, I was in sixth grade. I
started my stories simply, like ‘One day, I was sitting on . . . .’ Now, I
write like this, ‘As my eyes awoke to the sounds of nature, the sun’s
rays smacked me in the face.’ I learned so much each year at writing
camp, so I will return next year, too. I found I love to write, and coming
to these camps helped me find that key.” Anne D’Souza

“I am a writer because I love words and putting them together to make
something bigger. Writing makes books, which are very important to
people everywhere. I like making a difference, and writing gets my
voice out into the world.” Katie Hollenbeck

“Growing up in a poor barrio, I saw so many things: violence, drugs,
abuse, robbery, and I also saw some beautiful things: the way people
talked with each other, cared about each other, and the stories they told.
I have so many plots bottled up inside me that I want to tell.” Marco
Bravo

“This week at camp has inspired me to open our home in an attempt to
start our own writers’ group. My wife and I want to encourage others to
‘write on.’ Thank you for your support, resources, intellect, and willingness
to listen and divulge.” Casey Horpedahl

“Fine Lines writing camp has opened me up to new opportunities like
learning about script writing and non-fiction. Fine Lines has also made
me see that other people my age have the same drive and passion for
writing as I do. Writing is integral to life.” Molly Misek

“I feel stuck until I get to writing camp, then a bridge is opened, and I
begin to see what it is about writing, sharing, and creating that hides in
my soul on every other average day. There is a great void that is filled
when I come and make time for Fine Lines and writing. It is my passion.”
Mindy Venditte

“I want to thank you so much for making this camp fun. I can’t imagine
how much time and effort it took to set it up. This experience totally
changed my writing habits. Now, I can write without having to think so
hard.” Amalia Hansen

We just posted photographs from last year’s summer writing camp on our Flickr feed. See the whole slideshow!