The Champlain College Young Writers’ Conference

The Champlain College Young Writers’ Conference (CCYW), a residential writers’ weekend specifically for high school students, takes place this May 27 - 29 on the hillside campus of Burlington's Champlain College. For dedicated young writers, it is a chance to meet others who share their passion for telling the stories of their lives. It is also an opportunity to study the craft of writing with some of New England's most celebrated authors and teachers.

Participate in over ten hours of intensive workshops in fiction, poetry, songwriting, creative nonfiction, script writing, and environmental writing; exchange and critique manuscripts; listen to faculty readings; attend interactive craft sessions; and share work with the CCYW community.  On Friday, go to the good place with our keynote speaker, award winning poet & essayist, Ellen Bryant Voigt. Ellen is the author of CLAIMING KIN (1976), THE FORCES OF PLENTY (1983), THE LOTUS FLOWERS (1987), TWO TREES (1992), KYRIE (1995), SHADOW OF HEAVEN (2002), MESSENGER: NEW AND SELECTED POEMS (2007), and HEADWATERS (2013). A former Vermont State Poet, she has received the Emily Clark Balch Award, the Hanes Poetry Award, the Teasdale Award, three Pushcart Prizes, inclusion in Scribner's BEST AMERICAN POETRY, an Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the Merrill Fellowship, and grants from the National Endowment of the Arts, the Guggenheim Foundation, and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. Ellen designed and directed the nation's first low-residency MFA Writing Program and currently teaches at Warren Wilson College and Breadloaf. In 2015, she received the coveted John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur fellowship.



And there's more: Friday evening, read to jazz with Michael Chorney’s celebrated jazz ensemble, or read poems and prose to open mike. On Saturday, slam the night away with our own in-house oracle, the renowned Vermont Slam Champion, Geof Hewitt. Later, become part of the Young Writers' Improvisational Theatre, and kick up your heels at The Spectacular Young Writers' Contra Dance.
Special note: high school teachers and writerly parents are encouraged to attend as chaperones. Chaperones participate in all events, and are invited to attend their own adult writing workshop.

Check-In Information

Out-of-state conferees are welcome to move into their dorm rooms Thursday, 5/26, after 7:00 PM. Students arriving early should notify us ahead of time, and must remain on campus, unless accompanied by a parent. We can offer transportation to & from the airport or train station, if you forward your itinerary.

For More Information:

Lesley Wright, CCYW Co-Director
802-865-8456
E-mail: ccyw@champlain.edu