If you want to right your writing wrongs, this summer, the Kirkwood Writing Institute (KIWI) can help. From June 9-12 and 16-20 at KHS, local experts will help writers of all levels learn and grow

“KIWI is about getting a group of like-minded people who will be willing to create and critique and give feedback and help each other out to get some writing projects up and going,” Eric Turley, KIWI staff member and English teacher, said.

KIWI is an eight-day institute for all types of writers to learn and grow from KHS English teachers, professional writers and other students. Classes start each day at 9 a.m and end at 1 p.m. The cost is $200, with limited scholarships available. Anyone from rising seventh graders to rising twelfth graders are eligible for the camp. Those interested must fill out applications available on the KHS website and submit them by May 15.

“The people actually want to be there and are committed, dedicated and interested in English,” Mary Wilson, sophomore, former KIWI student, said.

KIWI will separate writers into groups based on choice and interest. The options available include sense of place, poetry, creative non-fiction, alternative genres and fiction. Students will select two categories best matching their interests, and the staff will form separate groups. KIWI features interactive learning and field trips to local attractions such as the Botanical Gardens, the Art Museum, local coffee shops and other popular St. Louis locations.

“In school you get a really good, sharp, motivating teacher who lets you express yourself a lot. Picture that times ten,” Simon Drew, KIWI staff member and English teacher, said.

The camp ends with aspiring authors showing off their new skills by reading selected works to the group. KIWI offers publication opportunities for those wanting to take their writing to the next level.

“The first week everyone is feeling it out and trying some things, but at the end of the second week we did a public reading where you shared a piece,” Turley said. “That is just an exciting thing to watch, just the brilliant students that we have and the people supporting them.”