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YouthWrite Peak II Experience 2026

July 5 - July 10, 2026

Overnight Camp For Ages 15-19
An unforgettable experience for creative youth, spending time with quality instructors and other talented peers discussing ideas and sharing their work.

$825.00 CAD
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Peak II Experience!

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED FOR 2026

Day and Overnight Options

  • Ages 15-19
  • July 5th - July 10th, 2026
  • Overnight Camp. Campers arrive Sunday evening and stay until Friday afternoon.
  • SR1 Site: 241001 Range Road 42, Rockyview, Alberta, T3Z 2X5 (include the postal code when using Google maps!)
  • Tuition - $825 - Overnight at SR1 

YouthWrite Fees Include

12 hours of daily instruction/activities led by highly qualified instructional and supervisory staff, supervised meals, break times, evening programs. All supplies are provided as are daily breakfasts (overnighters only) lunches, suppers, and snacks. Each participant is required to dress for the weather, bring PPE, indoor/outdoor shoes, and will receive a complimentary copy of YouthWrite: The Magazine.

For those of you new to YouthWrite:

Registration steps continue after registration on this site. After you complete the registration on this site, we ask that you proceed to Campfax, a secure camp database, and:

  • fill in important details
  • provide a letter of reference from a teacher/mentor
  • provide the answers to the four YouthWrite questions
  • provide a short sample of writing

You are not fully registered until all steps are completed.



Please note

Refunds:
All fees include $100 non-refundable fee.  No refunds will be made if registration is cancelled after June 23, 2026.

A full refund will be possible in the event an applicant is not accepted into the program or if COVID restrictions require that we cancel or reconfigure camp. YouthWrite Society Canada reserves the right to cancel courses and restrict enrollment. Courses, instructors and supervisors may be subject to change.

Medical:
In consideration of our campers' and staff well-being, we strongly advise that all attendees be up-to-date on vaccinations for measles, rubella, and mumps.




When

July 5th - July 10th, 2025

Full Week

Where

The Site

241001 Range Road 42, Rockyview, Alberta, T3Z 2X5

(include the postal code when using Google maps!)

Who

Guest instructors thus far:
Timothy Anderson
Aaron Coates
Francine Cunningham
Rachel Drouillard
Janice MacDonald
Miranda Martini
Pam Rocker
Quickdraw Animation
Spyder Yardley-Jones



Blue-Pencil Café:

Timothy Anderson


What's Your Story? Coordinator:

Salman Kovahled


Our Super Supers:

Yemariam Abebayehu
Ayla Chin
Jessica Davidson
Étienne Fillion-Sauvé
Gina Schnepper 
Keltie Squires


YouthWrite Director-Coordinator:
Gail Sidonie Sobat


Peak I & II Coordinator:

Mason Repka


Guest Instructors



YOUTHWRITE INSTRUCTORS: THE CREAM OF THE CROP!


Throughout YouthWrite's history, we have prided ourselves on the calibre of our fine instructors.


YouthWrite invites superbly talented and reputable instructors who represent the many facets of the performing, visual, musical, dance, film, and written arts. 


AMAZING INSTRUCTORS!

Timothy Anderson


Bio

Timothy Anderson - is a writer, editor, instructor, performer, director, composer, and visual artist whose career has taken him from Yellowknife to Singapore, Australia to Greece, Carnegie Hall to Dollywood, in live productions. He's performed on radio, television and film, and written poetry, novels, screenplays, short stories, opera texts - all with a view to expanding minds and hearts.


Course

Poets' Matter/Poets Matter: Vegetables, Verbs, and Voice in a Shifting World - more TBA


 

Aaron Coates


Bio

Aaron Coates is a director, writer, actor, and acting teacher. He studied acting at Mount Royal University and at École Philippe Gaulier in Paris. Aaron has written comedy shows, true crime dramas, opera libretti, a new adaptation of Greek tragedy, and devised work with actors, singers, and performers of all ages. He spent nine seasons with Dirty Laundry, Calgary’s improvised soap opera, where he directed over 150 episodes.


Course

Eye Say - Discover characters by taking a walk in their shoes! We’ll improvise to find out what makes someone tick, and then write from that experience. Where’s the story going to go? You’ll be in charge of it. Through the creation of an improvised TV show, we’ll dream up a vibrant group of characters and take them on a rollicking adventure.




Francine Cunningham


Bio

Francine Cunningham is an award-winning writer, artist and educator who spends her days writing on the prairies. She is a member of the Saddle Lake Cree Nation in Alberta but grew up in Calgary, Edmonton, and 100 Mile House, BC. Francine is also Métis and has settler family roots stretching from as far away as Ireland and Belgium. She currently resides in Strathmore, Alberta but previously spent over a decade calling Vancouver her home.


Course

Exciting and Electrifying Storytelling  - Explore writing exercises designed to pull out worlds and focus on building them into something substantial. You’ll even play some world-building games, create characters, and draw out a map of your fictional world. By the end of the session, you'll have the beginning of a narrative world you can continue to develop into a novel or short story.




Rachel "Sunflower" Drouillard


Bio

Rachel Drouillard's yoga journey started back in 2001 with a $5 Ginger Spice yoga DVD she found in a bargain bin — and it ended up changing the course of her life. In 2008, she tried her first studio class, quickly got hooked, and eventually left her corporate job to teach yoga full-time. By 2011, she became a certified yoga teacher, and not long after, she spent a year in India deepening her studies in yoga and meditation.
Since then, she’s continued to learn and train in areas like trauma-informed yoga, Yoga Nidra, Yin Yoga, Functional Movement, Anatomy, Yoga Therapy, and Kids Yoga. These days, a big part of Rachel’s work focuses on mental health, nervous system regulation, and self-awareness. She primarily works with the Calgary Police Service, supporting members through both group classes and one-on-one sessions, especially those living with PTSD and operational stress injuries. Her work uses yoga, breathwork, mindfulness, and grounding tools to help build regulation, resilience, and practical, accessible skills for everyday life.  
Her classes are welcoming, down-to-earth, and often light-hearted — she encourages young people to show up exactly as they are, take what they need, and leave the rest.


Course

Celebrate the Held Stories - We are truly a collection of our stories. Let's uncover how and where these stories are being held in the body and celebrate what we find! Through yoga, somatic awareness, mindfulness, creative writing, and regulation-based practices, turn inward and slow down enough to notice what's going on. Don’t force or fix — simply observe, allow, and work with what arises through movement, breath, and writing. From there, let's celebrate!




 Janice MacDonald


Bio

Janice MacDonald wrote the first mystery series set in Edmonton, Alberta after defending an MA thesis on the development of detective fiction and the legitimacy of popular and genre fiction. Her Randy Craig Mysteries celebrate the University of Alberta, Edmonton, and clever, well-educated women. Her new series, the Imogene Durant Mysteries, takes one of those women and sends her around the world, reading, exploring, and making interesting comparisons to Edmonton, of course.

Janice has also written reviews, essays, short stories, a university textbook, scores for musicals, a travel memoir and an award-winning children’s book. She has two daughters and a hamster.


Course

It's a Mystery - Learn the ins and outs of mystery writing from a professional. Develop your own fictional detective, immerse yourself in clues and red herrings, and come away with the start of your own puzzling adventure.



Miranda Martini


Bio

Miranda Martini has been writing music since she was twelve, when she composed an original song for her grade six graduation. Since then, she has composed for theatre, film, television, video games and beyond. She’s currently working on a sci-fi musical and just launched a new album, The Historian (which you can find on Bandcamp and wherever music is streamed). Her favourite movie score is Joe Hisaishi’s for Princess Mononoke.


Course

Space to Jam - Want to be in a band, but don’t know where to start? It’s easy, and in just five days, you’ll learn how! First, meet the members of our band and figure out our, like, vibe. Then write a first draft of our first hit single. Next we jam! (That is: we’ll keep working on our song, seeing if there’s any way we can improve on it and adding to the arrangement with backup vocals, drums, guitars—whatever you’ve got.). By Day 5, we'll have what’s sure to be the song of the summer, be ready to go on tour before breaking up messily the night before the Junos…or at least we had a good time trying. Bring your instruments; bring your ideas, and come ready to jam!




Pam Rocker


Bio

Pam Rocker is a Calgary-based writer, speaker, and humourist who has built a career at the intersection of comedy and the things that actually matter - identity, faith, belonging, and being the odd one out. Trained in comedy and improv at The Groundlings and UCB in Los Angeles, and at The Kinkonauts in Calgary, she has spent over a decade helping people say true things in funny ways. She’s also a playwright, EDI educator, event host (WordFest and more), and musician. She believes humour is the smartest tool a writer has, and that the kids who get told "you're too much" usually grow up to be the funniest people in any room. She's thrilled to be back at YouthWrite to help you find out exactly how funny you already are.


Course

Funny Because it's True - Comedy isn’t about being the loudest person in the room - it’s about being the most honest, in the most surprising order. Build your comedic voice: the tools that make a line land, the difference between punching up and punching down, and how the most specific, true, slightly-too-real thing about you is usually the funniest. You’ll write every day, share when you’re ready, and borrow shamelessly from comedians you’ll want to follow long after camp. You’ll leave with one polished piece - solo, or a sketch your classmates perform - and a voice on the page that’s unmistakably yours. Never written comedy before? Perfect. You're exactly who this is for.




MLE Tremblay - Quickdraw Animation


Bio

MLE. (they/them) is a character artist based in Mohkinstis, Treaty 7 Territory (Calgary), Alberta, Canada. They have practiced art since they could hold a pencil which has so far led to the self-published graphic novel series, The Face King Chronicles, designing characters for commission, and consulting on independent films. MLE. finds joy in sharing the arts by instructing animation and illustration with Quickdraw Animation Society, and with the Alberta University of the Arts as well as freelance tutoring. They will keep making art until they can no longer hold a pencil.


Course

Quickdraw Animation: One Frame at a Time 
It’s back! This year, explore the theme of patience, “one frame at a time," through stop-motion animated films. Take on the challenge of creating a short film in just five sessions! But... isn't that impossible? Not if you take it one frame at a time. 



Spyder Yardley-Jones


Bio

Spyder Yardley-Jones (he/him) was born in the dark swamps of Edmonton. He's illustrated three children's books, an award-winning graphic novel, Jamie’s Got a Gun, and graphic story, In the Graveyard, both written by Gail Sidonie Sobat. Spyder has exhibited in 20+ art shows in Canada and the USA. His next publication is his first solo book, Boy, did I get postered last night, a visual documentary of gig posters created over decades in the city of Edmonton. 


Course

Facial Delusions and Mystical Delights - Check out this mask-making class where you take your wild imagination and create a mask for the wall or your face. Maybe it will become a character in your next story or comic! You’ll sculpt with tin foil, recycled/repurposed stuff, then paint and decorate. I made a wolf spider mask. What might you make?




 What's Your Story? Coordinator
Salman Kovahled


Bio

Salman (pronounced "sull" like in sullen, and "mon" like in Pokémon) wanted to become an educator when he first watched Indiana Jones on a 22” television-VHS combo in his grandparent’s bedroom which instilled in him a desire to teach during the day and seek adventure in his spare time. Often falling forward and embracing the idea of trying everything, Salman is currently working in the area of social work while pursuing his Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology. Never quite content with one form of expression, Salman is eager to learn and grow through storytelling in all forms; dabbling in poetry, children’s literature, essay-writing, painting, acting, editing, directing- and lately even stand-up comedy. His work is rooted in a deep commitment to wellness, marginalized voices, and the well-being of communities. He’s especially interested in the ways in which nature and creativity support healing and identity. At the core of everything he does is a belief in the inherent dignity of people, and the power of spaces that make room for complexity and care. If there’s one thing Salman knows it’s learning from falling face-first, being silly, and understanding that true failure comes from not trying. So, come and hang out in whatever capacity you can!


Course

Celebration and Allyship 
“Am I normal?”
Maybe you’ve asked yourself this question- comparing yourself to friends, classmates, and peers. Perhaps it’s what bounces around inside of you- reading characters in books, listening to them speak, or watching them move. It could even be what comes to you after creating worlds of your own. But…what is normal?

Celebration of difference builds upon acceptance; built upon understanding, built upon tolerance, built upon awareness.

These ideas will be rooted by an enriching, protective, and strong panel conversation on the first day of camp. The rest of the week will be an opportunity for you to explore what the word “celebrate” means; branching into disability, intersectionality, queerness, visibility, the power of language, art, and voice, and above all allyship through love and choice.

This class will be on a drop-in basis. YouthWriters are welcome to participate on the days they want to.




 

Blue Pencil Café with Timothy Anderson


Bio

Timothy Anderson is a writer, singer, actor, editor, composer, teacher, director, painter – equally at home on a makeshift community hall stage or the opulence of Carnegie Hall. Timothy has spent decades working in the arts and supporting other artists at all levels. So far in 2026, he has acted in a punk-infused absurdist dance theatre piece, been a guest artist for two orchestral concerts, and in April he made his feature film debut in Physics for Poets at the Telus World of Science IMAX theatre - and taught writing and ethics courses at university.


Activity

Blue Pencil Café - Share a piece of writing with our resident editing expert and get constructive feedback on your wordsmithery! Poetry, fiction, dialogue, plots, operas, plays - our Blue Pencil expert can help you with your craft. Sign up is daily at camp.


The Amazing Supers

Handpicked and multi-talented, YouthWrite Supers are the centre of our camps. As artists, teachers and mentors, they bring the X-Factor to YouthWrite.


MORE AMAZING SUPERS TBA SOON!

Ayla Chin  


Ayla is a student at the University of Alberta pursuing a degree in bioinformatics. They are a music instructor who teaches a variety of instruments and genres. They love to write and record music, as well as perform with their band across local venues. Ayla loves to learn and do their own research projects, additionally creating educational resources and activities to share. They are super excited to join Youthwrite this summer and become Gail’s favourite!




Jessica Davidson

Jessica Davidson is a movie theatre manager by day, an avid movie-goer by night, and has spent the majority of her life dreaming of making those movies herself. While studying Film and Video Production at the University of Regina, she found time to work with The Living Skies Student Film Festival, Regina Little Theatre, UR Improv, CJSW radio, and on the 2018 feature SuperGrid. She is excited to be bringing the experience of these many hats, and her experience as a former YouthWriter to camp this summer in her Super debut and as Gail’s soon-to-be favourite! 




Étienne Fillion-Sauvé

Étienne Fillion-Sauvé 

Étienne is a teacher and writer based in Edmonton, Alberta. A former Youthwriter and current member of the Spoken Word Choir, Étienne is excited to be a super for the first time in person. He was a super once, but it was online in 2020, for reasons that do not bear mentioning again. As such, this feels like the first proper time!

On his time off, Étienne enjoys biking, climbing, watching movies, and playing video games. He is also taking a liking to woodshop, having begun teaching it this past school year. When not doing any of these wonderful things, he can be found snoozing on his couch with his two cats. He is, of course, Gail's favourite.



Gina Schnepper

Gina Schnepper is a poet, artist, athlete, teacher, and lover of literature. She is the author of A Yearning Recollection, SEAGULL, and Hireath, and is looking forward to a memoir of her time solo backpacking the Great Divide Trail. Gina is also an avid rugby player and coach, enjoys sour candy, hiking, history, and spending time with her mischievous orange cat, Finnegan. This summer, she is excited to try her hand at nonfiction writing, and connecting deeply to the present moment through art. Gina is a YouthWrite alumni herself, and knows firsthand the opportunities and connections that camp creates for young writers. She knows she is Gail's favourite.




Keltie Squires - Lead Super


Keltie is a graduate of MacEwan’s communications program where she majored in professional communication. She has been involved with the wonderful people at YouthWrite since 2019. She has dabbled as a marketing writer, art model, actor, dancer, social media and marketing manager, and competitive athlete. These days, Keltie is the program director and instructor for multiple martial arts facilities. She is so excited to spend a week with some amazing kids. She knows that deep down, even though it takes her forever to write a bio, she is Gail’s favourite.




YouthWrite Director- Coordinator

Gail Sidonie Sobat


is a multi-award-winning teacher and author, with thirteen books for children, teens and adults, and a number of educational and academic articles. A Global News Woman of Vision and an Arts and Culture Citation Award recipient, she is the YouthWrite creator/ coordinator, an international presenter, an instructor in the professional writing program at MacEwan University and in the Faculty of Education at U of A. Gail was The Writers’ Union of Canada Regional Representative for Alberta, NWT and Nunavut, and writer in residence with the Metro Edmonton Federation of Libraries. 


She has moved forty times in her life from Badlands to Siksika Nation Reserve to hideous suburbs to Istanbul to the Sunshine Coast to her writer’s garret in a century-old temperamental house. She adores all of her Supers & Coordinators equally, and loves YouthWrite like a madwoman!



Mason Repka - Peak I & II Coordinator


Mason Repka (he/him/ they/them), is a game designer, writer, and communications manager for YouthWrite Society Canada, working in the office with Gail and Tania year round. They are the director/coordinator of Dark Ascension LARP, a live-action roleplaying game for adults based in a medieval-esque fantasy word. Mason studied at MacEwan University and the University of Victoria for creative writing and English literature, and has been with YouthWrite since 2020, working as an instructor, supervisor, and office worker. Mason is excited and honored to take on the role of coordinator of the Peak I&II camps this year, and to celebrate YouthWrite's 30th!



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