FROM THE EXPLORATI TEENS:
The Explorati program has really helped me to learn how to become a better writer. I’ve learned things I never knew were important about writing, like subtext in dialogue and trying to never use the word “then”.
--Bela

I learned many things about making my dialogue more effective, differentiating between primary and secondary characters, and how to let the reader make the connections necessary, without too much help. I wouldn’t have learned these things otherwise, because I didn’t have access to such knowledgeable teachers and peers.
--Katy

I started dreaming in screenplays by the third night.  I can’t watch movies the same way anymore!
--Delaney

In fact my favorite part of this writing camp was knowing that I could show my writing to someone who wasn’t going to going to grade it, but give me suggestions and time to make it better instead. Thank you for the time, advice, feedback, and scholarship; they’ve done me wonders. I’ve been writing for a long as I can remember, and it was great to know that I won’t be the only one writing for as long as I live.
--Elli

My favorite part of the Boot Camp was the interactive teaching examples and I also enjoyed being around other writers my age and made several friends while I was there. I also really liked my teachers because they had experience and loads of advice.
--Monica

My teacher, Victoria Hanley, really helped me to understand that I didn't need to be scared of sharing my work that nobody was going to judge me. She was an amazing teacher. I learned so much from her. 
--Helena

I wanted to go to Explorati Teens Writers Boot Camp so I could better my writing skills. I definitely bettered my skills and learned many things that will help my writing.   One of the more important things I learned is that it isn’t always good to overly describe dialog between characters.  My favorite part of the camp was the creative freedom we had  and the critiques from the teachers.  
--Molly

I find myself leaving this camp with one big lesson, no matter what’s written or how it was wrote, I wrote it and I know how it was written. No one can take your thoughts away if you believe in them strong enough. These are my thoughts, a piece of me.
--McKenna

While at the camp I worked on a mystery novel I have been writing and I wrote my first short story, The Script. My absolute favorite part of the camp, besides the one on one learning with my teacher, was the reading at the end, at Bas Bleu Theatre. That was really fantastic and a good way to help me get my writing out there.
--Sofie

FROM THE PARENTS AND SPONSORS:

Each day, I enjoyed debriefing with my daughter to learn about her day, and it was so nice to see her smile and happiness for her writing workshop!
--Tobi Hunter


We are so pleased our daughter had the opportunity to join in this experience.  Every day she came home saying she had learned a lot.  She also found the evening at Bas Bleu exhilarating.
--Linda Moore

The Explorati Teen Writers Boot Camp was the perfect start to Ben's summer.  We had scoured the internet for teen writing workshops, and found many promising leads that were far away.  How lucky to find one of the highest caliber right here close to home!  I've read my son's fiction before, but never had a chance to hear him read it aloud.  Listening to him read his story Thursday night at the Bas Bleu fundraiser was like hearing him sing a solo in the choir. 
--Maria Swall

I went to the final presentation night at Bas Bleu, joining an audience of writers, parents, siblings and a few grandparents and was deeply moved by the depth of feeling and enthusiasm conveyed by the young authors.
--Peter D. Springberg, M.D.



FROM THE TEACHERS:
I've been to a lot of readings, with children and with adults, and this one was lively and amazing. Perhaps most importantly, it let the families and others in the audience know the quality of the program.   I am honored to have been part of it.
--Veronica Patterson, Poetry Track

I was especially pleased with the way the kids worked together and helped each other.  Even the shyest and most introverted among them found ways to connect and begin to open up.  I didn't really understand until the Fourth Night Readings just how great it would be to have the performance of aspect to cap things off. The presentations were nothing short of magnificent, from start to finish!  It enlarged the entire experience--and not just for me, that's for sure.
--Victoria Hanley, Fiction Track

The week was intense and fun, and the reading was a fabulous wonderful way to highlight the talent and work. Holy cow, I wish I had had that experience when I was a teen (I kept thinking that the whole week); really, these kids were exposed to so much. I loved teaching them every minute.
--Laura Pritchett, Nonfiction Track