GRAPHIC NOVEL & COMIC CREATORS

Your child has read every comic and graphic novel on the shelf. This week, they make their own. Campers become the writers and illustrators, from picking the genre to inking the pages.

Campers draw character sheets and thumbnail every page. They learn how panel size controls a scene's pace and how speech bubbles and onomatopoeias like “BAM!” and “WHOOSH!” bring pages to life.

The week ends with the camper showcase, where creators proudly display their comics and graphic novels, ready for publication. Allow 8+ weeks for your child’s bound book to arrive at home.

This hands-on Graphic Novel & Comic program teaches the visual storytelling behind real comic strips, graphic novels, and manga, all through a race to the next issue. Campers learn to slow down for a steady line, fix what isn’t working, and finish something they’re proud of.

Achievers (rising grades 3-4) learn comic and graphic novel basics and get their first illustration skills. They design a hero, plan a short comic, and learn how comics tell a story. First-timers finish a short comic. Returning campers build on the skills they already have. They tackle longer comics or start a brand-new one to publish.

Navigators (rising grades 5-7) build on their creative writing skills, shape more complex characters and plot twists, revise their drafts with counselors and peers, and refine their illustrations. Returning Navigators have the opportunity to take on a new style, write longer comics or graphic novels, and try new illustration techniques.

DREAM, WRITE, PUBLISH

A publisher is waiting on the next great story, and the author is you. Campers become authors signed to DEAN Press, and their first book is due at the end of the week. The publisher wants an original story with a memorable main character, a problem to solve, and pictures on every page.

To meet the deadline, authors brainstorm ideas, develop their characters, and map a plot with a clear beginning, middle, and end. They draft their story, then meet with fellow authors to give and receive feedback before they revise. They trace, illustrate, and use color theory on each page, then design the layout from the cover to the pages in between. Each step moves the story closer to the press. The week ends at the camper showcase, where authors proudly display their books, ready to go off to the publisher.

This hands-on Writing & Illustration program teaches the storytelling and read-aloud skills behind real picture books and chapter books, all through a publishing deadline for rising 3rd-7th graders. Allow 8+ weeks for your child's bound book to arrive at home.

Achievers (rising grades 3-4) work together with Navigators (rising grades 5-7), learning the foundations of creative writing and illustration techniques, then create a story ready for print. Returning campers build on the skills they already have. They can try a new style, write longer stories, and explore new illustration techniques.

Navigators (rising grades 5-7) build on their creative writing skills, shape more complex characters and plot twists, revise their drafts with counselors and peers, and refine their illustrations. Returning Navigators have the opportunity to take on a new style, write longer stories, and try new illustration techniques.