Summer Writing Club: The Fifth Day

My last day of school was May 28, but my summer break did not really begin until June 17.  As soon as school ended, Summer Writing Club began.  My basement classroom and outside patio were once-again filled with students from 6th through 10th grade.  We gathered each afternoon to write fiction with no grades (See “Summer Writing Club,” July 9, 2023).  Stories were inspired by shoes, boxes, gems, keys, necklaces, hats, trees, clocks, and a number of other ordinary objects.  And the result was wonderful. 

            For the past few summers, I have borrowed an idea from Kairos, a high school retreat that my daughter attended and then served in as a leader.  This retreat is a three-and-one-half-day experience.  At its end, the participants are asked to honor “the fourth day,” meaning that they carry with them what they learned and felt and experienced during the retreat.  It does not end.  It continues.

            At the end of Summer Writing Club, I explain this idea to the participants.  Then, because Summer Writing Club is a four-day event, I ask them to honor our “fifth day.”  What I ask them to do is take the stories, the ideas, and our excitement and passion for words, and let these things continue beyond our four days together.  I promise to read any and all stories shared with me via Google Docs or email.  I will give whatever feedback is asked for.  I will do this…forever.  Once they work with me, they have me for life.

            This year, a couple of Writing Club participants have already honored our fifth day.  I received stories shared with me via Google Docs.  One of the emails alerting me that I received a shared doc was even titled “The Fifth Day.”  I read these, commenting as I usually do by asking questions and reacting, but also providing guidance if necessary.  This happens each year, and it is always enjoyable for me.  I look forward to reading more of these shared stories.

            This summer, for the first time, the fifth day has taken on a whole new meaning.  One of my Summer Writing Club Participants (for three years now) and a student during her 7th and 8th grade school years, plans to run her own Writing Workshop as a part of Girl Scouts.  She and her mom met with me after Writing Club last week to plan her workshop.  She will follow our typical Writing Club program—three prompts, followed by read-aloud and feedback.  Participants will receive their own notebooks.   They will write with many colors of ink.  There will be snacks.  Music will play.  Each of her prompts will include a type of prop, an object or an image in a display.  This is very important.  She will ask questions, a lot of questions.  This is also very important.  Stories will emerge.  They always do.

            I look forward to being there with her, so that I can see her inspire younger children to write stories, good stories, stories worth reading.  I know it will work.  I know she will do a fabulous job.  I know that I will be proud.  I already am.