Our workshops are free for students, ages 6-18. Unless
otherwise noted, each workshop occurs once a week on
the same day, at the same time, for the duration of
the number of sessions indicated. Because each workshop
will build upon the ideas learned in the previous session,
students are asked to attend all sessions of a workshop.
Registration
is required. To register for a
workshop, click its “Sign
Up Online” link. All
workshops will be held at 826CHI,
1331 North Milwaukee Avenue. Send
us an
email if you have any questions.
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Five Sessions: June 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26th
Time: 10AM–5PM
Taught by local Chicago authors, 826CHI staff & volunteers
Limited to 20 students in grades entering9–13
Students will team up with professional writers and poets to develop their writing skills. Participants will have the opportunity to be published in the 2009-10 826CHI publication. Guest speakers for the 2009 camp will include Joe Meno, Monica Eng, Tran Ha, Alex Kotlowitz, Elizabeth Crane, Sam Weller and other dynamic Chicago authors. The schedule each day will be from 10 AM to 5PM, including a lunch break. Students who sign up are required to attend all daytime sessions. On Friday, we will celebrate student work with an evening reading. Preference will be given to high school students entering 10th, 11th, and 12th grade in CPS, and to those just graduated. Please fill out the form linked below, and in the “comments” section include a short 500-word essay detailing your interest in writing. Once accepted, to reserve a place, students must leave a $25 deposit, which will be fully refunded at the last class.
Sign Up Online »
Seven Sessions: Wednesdays, June 24, July 8, 15, 22, 29, August 5 and 12th
Skip 7/1
Time: 5:30–8:30PM
Taught by Mike Hettwer, National Geographic Contributing Photographer
Limited to 10 students in grades entering7–12
Students join photographer Mike Hettwer to dive into the world of photography and writing. Digital cameras will be lent to students to use at home during the course. The final product will be a photo book and a photo release event at a later date. Students must attend all sessions and photo memory cards will have to be delivered each week by Monday at noon to 826CHI. Preference will be given to high school students in CPS. Please fill out the form linked below, and in the “comments” section include a short 500-word essay detailing your interest in photography and writing. Once accepted, in order to reserve a place, students must leave a $100 deposit for the camera, which will be fully refunded once the workshop is over and the camera is returned.
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
Four Sessions: Mondays, July 6, 13, 20 and 27th
Time: 1:30–3PM
Taught by Corinne Mucha
Limited to 12 students in grades entering 4–8
Join us as we study the art of writing comics, using our superhuman strength. Comics and superheroes have been a pair for quite a long time. However, it seems many superheroes have yet to be invented. There are crazy new powers and terrible evil villains that have yet to be documented. Only we can put a stop to this, by writing them down. A superhero can do things that ordinary folks cannot. What can a comic do? With the awesome powers of pictures and words combined, there is no stopping us.
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
Three Sessions: Mondays, July 6, 13 and 20th
Time: 3:30–5PM
Taught by 826CHI Staff & Volunteers
Limited to 15 students in grades entering 2–4
826CHI is proud to offer writing camp! Join 826CHI staff and volunteers for three weeks of exciting writing activities including: poetry, silly stories, and other surprises. Students will develop new skills and refine old ones. Students may sign up for Monday OR Wednesdays class, but not both.
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
Three Sessions: Mondays, July 6, 13 and 20th
Time: 5:30–7PM
Taught by Aaron Bass
Limited to 10 students in grades entering 4–8
What’s your faaaavorite song in the world? Have you ever thought about why you like that song? What about your best friend, what kind of music do they like? What’s his or her favorite song? Why do you think that your friend loves that song so much? Whether its music, school, TV, or food, it’s a good idea to know what you like and why you like it. This workshop gives children a chance to express themselves artistically, candidly and clearly. To explore other genres of music and ultimately find out what they might be missing in perspective and in sharing perspectives with others. Just bring your ears, an open mind and your special assignment list and we promise to prove to you that Everybody LOVES Good Music!!!
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
Two Sessions: Tuesdays, July 7 and 14th
Time: 2–3PM
Taught by Kara Thorstenson
Limited to 12 students in grades entering 1–3
Come join us for story hour! Each week we’ll read a book and complete a fun activity related to the book. Dive into the world of children’s books with us!
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
Six Sessions: Tuesdays AND Thursdays, July 7, 9, 14, 16, 21 and 23rd
Time: 3:30–5PM
Taught by 826CHI Staff & Volunteers
Limited to 15 students in grades entering 5–8
Join 826CHI staff and volunteers for six sessions of writing projects. Students should be ready to improve their writing techniques and learn new ones through creative projects including poetry, short stories, comics, funny essays, and journalism. Each week, students will explore a new form of writing and finish the camp by making a book of their own writing. Students need to attend all sessions of this class. To reserve a place, students must leave a $25 deposit, which will be fully refunded at the last class.
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
One Session: Tuesday, July 7th
Time: 5:30–7PM
Taught by Patrick Shaffner
Limited to 12 students in grades entering 3–5
826CHI’s book club for students entering grades 3-5. Are you ready to share, discuss and explore The Twits by Roald Dahl [which he or she will have read prior to the meeting!] with fellow young literary lads and lasses? No tests, no quizzes!
Sign Up Online »
Two Sessions: Wednesdays, July 8 and 15th
Time: 1:30–3PM
Taught by Cameron Todd
Limited to 15 students in grades entering 2–5
Are you funnier than the jokes on a Popsicle stick? Can you describe the scariest monster ever? We want to hear about it. This summer workshop is about YOU and learning how to tell the world about yourself, in writing. We will be creating stories, art, performance pieces, and exploring the world of creative expression in general with you as the most active member.
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
Three Sessions: Wednesdays, July 8, 15 and 22nd
Time: 3:30–5PM
Taught by 826CHI Staff & Volunteers
Limited to 15 students in grades entering 2–4
826CHI is proud to offer writing camp! Join 826CHI staff and volunteers for three weeks of exciting writing activities including: poetry, silly stories, and other surprises. Students will develop new skills and refine old ones. Students may sign up for Monday OR Wednesdays class, but not both
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
One Session: Thursday, July 9th
Time: 1:30–3PM
Taught by Jay Zawadzki
Limited to 12 students in grades entering 5–8
Join the 826CHI Power Team for absolutely the most incredibly exhilarating expressions of excellence ever, Power-Words! Have you ever wanted to ignite your writing and send it into the stratosphere? Have you ever wanted to obliterate a mental block or make your descriptions steam with a laser beam? If so, join us for Vim! Vigor! and unlock the power and magic in the words you choose.
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
Two Sessions: Thursdays, July 9 and 16th
Class meets at the David Weinberg Gallery (300 W. Superior #203) July 9 and 826CHI July 16
Time: 5:30–7PM
Taught by Meghan McCook and an 826CHI volunteer in collaboration with David Weinberg Gallery
Limited to 10 students in grades entering 3–8
First, visit the David Weinberg Gallery where you will view and learn about the body of work, Golden Ratio, a group show. We will be drawing inspiration from Amanda Hughen’s and Carter Hodgkin’s artwork to create multi-media works of art, using geometric shapes and repetition. Amanda Hughen takes forms abstracted from biology, architecture, geology, and astronomy and repeats these forms until they reach a critical mass, while Carter Hodgkin is inspired by scientific advances in physics, and uses images of colliding atomic particles as reference material for her multi-media works. After our first session at the gallery, we will meet at 826CHI where we will learn the ins and outs of metaphor and how to use it writing. Then, we will write our own metaphor-based poems using our original artwork as inspiration. We will publish an 826CHI Workshop Booklet with every student’s beautiful art and writing. Please note: We will be meeting at the David Weinberg Gallery (300 W. Superior #203) July 9 and 826CHI July 16th.
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
Three Sessions: Saturdays, July 11, 18 and 25th
Time: 12–2PM
Taught by Annie Kennedy and Alexis Thomas
Limited to 10 students in grades entering6–12
Paper Planes Press is a zine of twelve uniquely designed letters. Our next issue will be entirely devoted to young authors, and that means we need you! In this crash course, Paper Planes Press editors and local author Jonathan Messinger will show you how to make your own zine, while offering you the opportunity to contribute to Paper Planes Press. Don’t know what a zine is? Don’t know how to put one together? Don’t worry! Join us in this cut and paste bonanza!
This workshop is full. (You can put your name on the waitlist, though.)
One Session: Saturday, July 11th
Time: 2:30–4:30PM
Taught by Scarlett Stoppa
Limited to 12 students in grades entering 2–4
Mr. Kazoo took a BIG CAT nap and awoke to MONKEY mayhem! Someone WEASELed his keys off the chain and let all the ANIMALS loose! The zoo inspector is due by 2 and it’s feeding time! How will Mr. Kazoo ever coax the LIONS, TIGERS, and BEARS (oh my!) back to their humble habitats? He needs a team of helpers to rein in the chaos! If you’re sly as a FOX, caring as an ELEPHANT, industrious as ANTS, or fast as a CHEETAH, Mr. Kazoo needs YOU. Sign up today! And come prepared to stalk, prance, chomp, write, fly, swim, act, and slither your way into the TAIL…err, tale.
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
One Session: Tuesday, July 14th
Time: 5:30–7PM
Taught by Patrick Shaffner
Limited to 12 students in grades entering 6–9
826CHI’s book club for readers entering 6-9th. Are you ready to share, discuss and explore The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros which he or she will have read prior to the meeting!] with fellow young literary lads and lasses? No tests, no quizzes!
Sign Up Online »
Three Sessions: Thursdays, July 16, 23 and 30th
Time: 1:30–3PM
Taught by Molly Dillon
Limited to 10 students in grades entering 4–6
Give your regards to Broadway! In this 826 workshop, students will learn the tricks of the trade that is musical theater. Let your inner Sondheim shine with this workshop. Students will pen their own show along with original lyrics to be presented at the end of the three sessions to family, friends, and fans.
This workshop is full. (You can put your name on the waitlist, though.)
Two Sessions: Thursdays, July 16 and 30th
This class takes place at 746 N. Milwaukee Ave. and will skip 7/23
Time: 6–7:30PM
Taught by Laura Fox and Intuit, The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art
Limited to 12 students in grades entering 4–8
Have you ever walked up the hill on your street and wished that you were hiking on steep mountain slopes in the Alps? Or dove into Lake Michigan and imagined yourself swimming across the English Channel, almost beating the world record? Then this workshop is for you! Through the world travels and visionary landscapes of artist Joseph Yoakum, we’ll explore how you can transform memories from your everyday life into wild adventures and exotic places. You’ll have the chance to create detailed drawings of your real or imagined place and write cool stories about your mysterious quests there. Please Note: This class will meet both weeks at Intuit, The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art at 756 N Milwaukee Ave. (on Milwaukee Ave. near Chicago Ave.).
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
Two Sessions: Tuesdays, July 21 and 28th
Time: 2–3PM
Taught by Kara Thorstenson
Limited to 12 students in grades entering 1–3
Come join us for story hour! Each week we’ll read a book and complete a fun activity related to the book. Dive into the world of children’s books with us!
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
One Session: Tuesday, July 21st
Time: 5:30–7:30PM
Taught by Rachel Claff and John Szmanski
Limited to 10 students in grades entering 2–4
Which comes first, the music or the lyrics? In this workshop, the answer is: Both! First, you’ll listen to a few very different pieces of music and let each piece move you to write whatever you wish. Then, you’ll use some free-writing techniques to come up with another (short) piece of writing that John, a professional musician, will help you set to guitar or keyboard—your choice! We will record the pieces and compile your magnum opuses onto a CD for each participant.
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
One Session: Wednesday, July 22nd
Time: 1:30–3PM
Taught by Jay Zawadzki
Limited to 12 students in grades entering 2–4
Join the 826CHI Power Team for absolutely the most incredibly exhilarating expressions of excellence ever, Power-Words! Have you ever wanted to ignite your writing and send it into the stratosphere? Have you ever wanted to obliterate a mental block or make your descriptions steam with a laser beam? If so, join us for Vim! Vigor! and unlock the power and magic in the words you choose.
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
One Session: Thursday, July 23rd
Time: 5:30–7:30PM
Taught by Shawn Gaines
Limited to 12 students in grades entering 5–8
Do you have an innovative way to fight zombies? Mario’s great and all, but do you think you could do better? Maybe guitars aren’t enough and you’re ready to become a Tambourine Hero? Now’s your chance to press start and get your own video game idea on the way to the final stage. We’ll learn how the professionals bring their video game ideas from concept to completion while creating our own plots, characters, and exotic worlds. At the end, you’ll be ready to sell your idea to Nintendo or Sony—if you can survive the trolls and pirates and monsters…
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
Three Sessions: Saturdays, July 25, August 1 and 8th
Time: 10–11:30AM
Taught by Jaida Vaught
Limited to 12 students in grades entering 6–9
Are you the next Bill Gates? He’s one of the richest, most successful people in the world. But, did you know his billion-dollar fortune began with an idea? Yep, just an idea and we’ve all got one. I say it’s time we finally put it down on paper and in front of people. Join us as we bring our ideas to life! You’ll be creating your own product, giving an “elevator pitch”, writing a: 30 second TV commercial, and sharing it all with investors. Sound like a lot, perhaps even a little challenging? Well, it is. But, well worth it! Umm, can anyone say, “Bill Gates, who?” Join “Invent It. Pitch it!” Come on…I dare you….I double-dog dare you…
Sign Up Online »
Three Sessions: Saturdays, July 25, August 1 and 8th
2:30-4:30 PM on 7/25 & 8/8 and 2:30-5:30 on 8/1
Time: 2:30–4:30PM
Taught by Jeffrey Rhodes and Sarah Miller
Limited to 10 students in grades entering6–12
See your world like never before: meet interesting people, see interesting things, and write a interesting tale about your adventures on two wheels. “Ride to Write” will take you on a fact-finding/clue uncovering mission throughout our neighborhood to see things you’ve never seen and write things you’ve never written. Your perspective will change and your creativity will be unleashed. Please note: On 8/1 students will need to bring a bicycle and a helmet to 826CHI. Students and instructors at a 2 to 1 ration will be riding around the Bucktown/Wicker Park neighborhood exploring and writing.
Sign Up Online »
Three Sessions: Mondays, July 27, August 3 and 10th
Time: 3:30–5PM
Taught by 826CHI Staff & Volunteers
Limited to 15 students in grades entering 2–4
PART II 826CHI is proud to offer writing camp! Join 826CHI staff and volunteers for three MORE weeks of exciting writing activities including: poetry, silly stories, and other surprises. Students will develop new skills and refine old ones. Students need to attend all sessions of this class, but they do not need to have attended Part I earlier in the summer. Students may sign up for Monday OR Wednesdays class, but not both.
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
Three Sessions: Mondays, July 27, August 3 and 10th
Time: 5:30–7:30PM
Taught by Gavin Paul and Katie Simon
Limited to 10 students in grades entering7–12
Not all of you will make like Almost Famous and hit the road with your favorite rock band on assignment for Rolling Stone at age thirteen, but that’s not to say the dream is lost. In fact, the online world loves new writers, regardless if you’re still not old enough to drive. And the earlier you try and contribute, the better chance you have at being actually famous. And we’re not just talking music. From trees to restaurant reviews, whatever you follow, and want to professionally write about, we’ll give you the basic skills to eventually pay the bills.
Sign Up Online »
Six Sessions: Tuesdays AND Thursdays, July 28, 30, August 4, 6, 11 and 13th
Time: 3:30–5PM
Taught by 826CHI Staff & Volunteers
Limited to 15 students in grades entering 5–8
PART II Join 826CHI staff and volunteers for six MORE sessions of writing projects. Students should be ready to improve their writing techniques and learn new ones through creative projects including poetry, short stories, comics, funny essays, and journalism. Each week students will explore a new form of writing and finish the camp by making a book of their own writing. Students need to attend all sessions of this class, but they do not need to have attended Part I earlier in the summer. To reserve a place, students must leave a $25 deposit, which will be fully refunded at the last class.
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
One Session: Tuesday, July 28th
Time: 5:30–7:30PM
Taught by Ellen Rosen
Limited to 12 students in grades entering 4–8
Ever look at a spoon and imagine it could be a teeter-totter for food? Or start cutting with scissors and suddenly there’s a marching soldier in your hand? In this workshop we’ll be focusing on common objects, things you see and use every day. But we’ll work our own magic, turning them into new and crazy things through our imaginations and our writing. Might that pen on your desk really be a hissing, twisting snake?
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
Three Sessions: Wednesdays, July 29, August 5 and 12th
Time: 1:30–3PM
Taught by Aaron Regunberg
Limited to 12 students in grades entering 2–5
Ever wanted to be in a play? Ever wanted to BUILD one? Well that’s just exactly what we are going to do. Your creativity, ideas, and pure raw talent will be mixed with a little bit of 826 guidance to create—literally from out of thin air—a brand new dramatic masterpiece entirely of your own making! Together we will write the groundbreaking original scripts, create the breathtaking costumes, and design the innovative direction needed to construct our own unique plays. The workshop will culminate; of course, with our final session when you put all the components together and PERFORM the shows live. Join now, but only if you’re willing to accept that there just may be a brilliant dramatist living inside you—because it’s quite likely that this course will release it to all the world!
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
Three Sessions: Wednesdays, July 29, August 5 and 12th
Time: 3:30–5PM
Taught by 826CHI Staff & Volunteers
Limited to 15 students in grades entering 2–4
PART II 826CHI is proud to offer writing camp! Join 826CHI staff and volunteers for three MORE weeks of exciting writing activities including: poetry, silly stories, and other surprises. Students will develop new skills and refine old ones. Students need to attend all sessions of this class, but they do not need to have attended Part I earlier in the summer. Students may sign up for Monday OR Wednesdays class, but not both.
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
One Session: Thursday, July 30th
Time: 5:30–7PM
Taught by Steve Warmbir
Limited to 10 students in grades entering 4–8
Here’s the scoop: Scoop the Wonder Dog is missing, and you’ve got to write the news story to get the word out — and help get him back. Learn the basics of writing a news story and being a cub reporter.
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
One Session: Saturday, August 1st
Time: 12–1:30PM
Taught by Claire Martinson
Limited to 12 students in grades entering 2–4
World-famous archaeologist Kentucky Smith is setting off on her next expedition—and you’re invited! We’ll journey into the desert to uncover what sorts of treasures are buried there, and then write up a field report of our adventures for publication in the Journal of Extremely Important Discoveries. Can you dig it? Beware you might get dirty!
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
One Session: Sunday, August 2nd
Please note: This workshop will meet at the Wicker Park Farmers Market not at 826CHI.
Time: 11AM–12:30PM
Taught by Brittany Reilly
Limited to 10 students in grades entering 2–5
Join us on a lovely summer day at the Wicker Park Farmers Market for an morning of snacking and chatting about the fresh produce and foods available around us. We’ll meet at the Market, where each student will have the chance to browse the vendors and purchase a juicy apple, yummy raspberries, or other fresh snack. Then we’ll pow-wow in the park where a market vendor/farmer will join us to talk about what they do and why they love to provide their goods to city shoppers. As a group, we’ll talk about things like organic food, city gardens, and the best foods of each season. Then we’ll do some writing about our discoveries that day! (Check out the website: Localharvest.com for some interesting information.) Please note: This workshop will meet at the Wicker Park Farmers Market not at 826CHI.
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
Two Sessions: Mondays, August 3 and 10th
Time: 1:30–3PM
Taught by Brandon Dorn
Limited to 12 students in grades entering 2–5
When was the last time you wrote a real, hold-it-in-your-hand letter for a friend? When was the last time you received a letter from a friend? If you answered “My birthday” or “Never,” let’s change that! Not only will you make a letter for someone (choose wisely!), your letter will be a short mystery story including your friend as a character. Your friend will feel famous and be astounded! In all, you will write two letters that will be halves of the mystery, so that your friend will anxiously wonder how the story concludes. Before mailing the second half, we’ll ask your friend to send his or her prediction for the rest of the story. Come with your address and that of your friend, and be sure to have on your Sherlock Holmes thinking-cap.
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
Two Sessions: Tuesdays, August 4 and 11th
Time: 1–3PM
Taught by Cameron Todd
Limited to 12 students in grades entering 5–8
Sshh….Want to know the biggest secret about how to become a writer? All you have to do is…write. Sometimes the hardest part is just getting started. Join us to explore ways to take all the great thoughts and ideas in your head and turn them into writing! We’ll do some hanging out, inspiring, creating…and plenty of writing. Outside, inside, and in our own minds we will learn where inspiration comes from, and most importantly, how to turn it into fantastic writing. Join us to learn a lot, have fun, and practice your writing with people who want to hear what you have to say!
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
Two Sessions: Tuesdays, August 4 and 11th
Time: 5:30–7PM
Taught by Jessica Herman and Cassy Sanders
Limited to 12 students in grades entering9–12
Are you the most photogenic person in your class, or does that school picture never turn out quite right? Either way, it doesn’t matter in this workshop. Working with the tools of observation and interpretation, you’ll have the chance to create your own self-portrait using image-based writing exercises.
Sign Up Online »
Two Sessions: Thursdays, August 6 and 13th
Time: 1–3PM
Taught by Kate Prockovic
Limited to 8 students in grades entering6–12
Don’t get swallowed up by cyberspace! The Internet is a huge place with billions of websites and users. It’s time to learn how to make your voice heard! Learn the most effective ways to make your opinion known on casual topics such as movies, video games, books, restaurants and stores as well as how to agitate for change by writing letters to newspapers and politicians. You can influence world opinion on the Internet no matter who you are – this workshop will teach you the tricks of the trade to make your voice stand out. You’ll leave this workshop having posted your opinions on topics you are passionate about – all in high traffic areas on the Internet that millions of people can see daily!
This workshop is full. (You can put your name on the waitlist, though.)
One Session: Thursday, August 6th
Time: 5:30PM–7:30AM
Taught by Ellen Rosen
Limited to 12 students in grades entering 4–8
Ever wonder how writers create the characters we know & love? Come on over & create a character of your own. Everyone gets a prop to trigger his or her imagination. After we’ve all created our characters we’ll bring our characters together & let the games begin!
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
One Session: Saturday, August 8th
Time: 12–2PM
Taught by Lara Marsh and Emilie Syberg
Limited to 12 students in grades entering 4–8
Have you ever wondered what life would be like if you were….a toaster? A piece of pizza? A ballet shoe? You can be all of those, and more, at I Am A Toaster! We’ll write stories and poems from the viewpoint of places we never thought we’d go. We’ll use our imaginations to create the sights, sounds, smells, thoughts, and feelings of everything from teddy bears to tennis shoes. Be an apple for the day! Come join us at I Am A Toaster.
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
One Session: Thursday, August 13th
Time: 5:30–7:30PM
Taught by Brittany Reilly
Limited to 12 students in grades entering 2–5
Would it not be cool to discover a time capsule that someone buried 100 years ago? It would probably include so many interesting items and trinkets that would tell us all about that past time. Join your fellow 2009 buddies at 826CHI for an evening of building our own time capsules, which we will store away for future discovery!
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
For more information
contact workshops@826chi.org.
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