Add your student to the Wait List for CYC programming!
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The Grand Rapids Creative Youth Center (CYC) offers after school creative writing programming to Grand Rapids youth aged 6-18 at no cost to families. Come join the adventure!
Programming runs in two sessions with two separate enrollment periods. Students already enrolled in Session 1 will have priority for enrollment in Session 2.
Session 1: The Book of Explosions: October 1, 2018 – March 14, 2019
Registration: August 27 GRPS, September 4 Non-GRPS
Session 2: Creative Collaborations: April 8, 2019 – May 16, 2019
Registration: March 4 GRPS, March 11 Non-GRPS
For more information or questions, contact us at programs@creativeyouthcenter.org or (616) 458-5505.
Afterschool Adventure
Book Club (Sessions 1 & 2): Students read one-on-one and do book-focused activities with an adult reading buddy. Reading buddies help students develop a love of reading and an awareness of writing techniques. Students continuing into Session 2 will be paired with the same reading buddy whenever possible.
Creative Writing Session 1 – The Book of Explosions: Students focus on writing and editing content for The Book of Explosions, the CYC’s annual anthology of student writing. Students explore various genres and techniques, learning about poetry, narrative, and nonfiction. Students who complete this portion of programming become published authors.
Creative Writing Session 2 – Creative Collaborations: Students explore how creative writing interacts with another art form. Each session will have a specific theme such as ceramics, comics, screen printing, improv comedy, hip-hop, etc.
Monday (3rd-5th Grade): Book Club, 3:30-4:30 // Creative Writing, 4:30-5:30
Tuesday (3rd-5th Grade): Book Club, 3:30-4:30 // Creative Writing, 4:30-5:30
Wednesday (1st & 2nd Grade): Book Club, 3:30-4:30 // Creative Writing, 4:30-5:30
*Students have the option of registering for BOTH Book Club and Creative Writing, or for ONLY Creative Writing.
*To participate in Book Club, students MUST be able to arrive at the CYC by 3:30. MLK students will be picked up at school at dismissal by CYC staff and walk together to the CYC.
*Students unable to arrive by 3:30 are encouraged to participate in Creative Writing. Students MUST be able to arrive between 4:15 and 4:30 as writing time starts promptly at 4:30.
Amplify & Craft
Creative Writing Session 1 – The Book of Explosions: Students focus on writing and editing content for The Book of Explosions, the CYC’s annual anthology of student writing. Students explore multiple genres, writing topics, and craft techniques. Students who complete this portion of programming become published authors.
Creative Writing Session 2 – Creative Collaborations: Students explore how creative writing interacts with another art form. Each session will have a specific theme, such as journalism, photography, hip-hop, podcasts, film-making, etc.
Amplify (6th-8th Grade): Thursday, 4:00-5:30
Craft (9th-12th Grade): Thursday, 6:00-7:30
*MLK Amplify students will be picked up at school at dismissal by CYC staff and walk together to the CYC.