Southern NV Writing Project

SNWP Spring Writing Camp 2026 – Writing to Win: A Training Camp for Winning High-Stakes Writing Tasks

The Southern Nevada Writing Project is excited to announce our 2026 Spring Writing Camp series: Writing to Win—A Training Camp for Winning High-Stakes Writing Tasks. This three-part workshop is designed for students in grades 5–8 who are preparing to take the SBAC Performance Tasks this spring.

Across the series, writers will strengthen their skills in short answer/constructed response, narrative writing, and argumentative writing, all while learning how to meet the unique expectations of SBAC writing. Writers are definitely more than test scores—but we still want them to score all the points and win the SBAC game!

Details of the camp are below, and a PDF flyer is attached. Please feel free to share this widely with any families who may be interested.

Camp Options

Students may register for a single session or the full series for the complete writing journey.

✨ Session 1 – Quick Write Kick-Off!
 📅 Saturday, February 21, 2026 |  ⏰ 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM | 💲75

Master the fundamentals of short-answer and constructed response writing to score with clarity and confidence.
Core Moves include:

  • Reading the Play — understanding the prompt
  • Proving Your Power — selecting the strongest evidence
  • Holding the Line — staying focused and on topic with clear reasoning

✨ Session 2 – Next Level Narratives
📅 Saturday, February 28, 2026 | ⏰ 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM | 💲75

Build stories that win hearts and minds. Writers will focus on crafting engaging narratives that meet SBAC expectations.
Core Moves include:

  • Drafting the Game Plan — characters, details, and integrating facts
  • Highlight Reel Moments — dialogue and details that pack a punch
  • Show-Don’t-Tell Footwork — crafting vivid scenes

✨ Session 3 – Claim the Game, Champions!
📅 Saturday, March 7, 2026 | ⏰ 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM | 💲75

Make your case, counter the opposition, and leave no doubt. This session focuses on argumentative writing strategies.
Core Moves include:

  • Review the Game Footage — gathering strong evidence
  • Evidence Plays & Reasoning Routines
  • Block the Shots — rebuttal strategies
  • Rally the Crowd — crafting a strong call to action

💡 Full Series Special: $200 for all three sessions.

Location:
UNLV – 4505 S. Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89154

Who Can Join?

This camp is open to students in grades 5–8.

High school students interested in volunteering as mentor writers can register HERE.

Why Join?

✔️ Strengthen writing skills for high-stakes assessments
✔️ Learn from expert educators and authors
✔️ Experience the college campus setting at UNLV
✔️ Develop test-taking skills with engaging strategies
✔️ Celebrate writing in a supportive community

Lunch Included

Each camp includes lunch at the UNLV Dining Commons, featuring all-you-can-eat options. Students should be aware of any allergies or dietary needs and are encouraged to ask staff questions about food choices.

How to Register

Secure your spot today!

ALL THREE SESSIONS:
👉 Click here to register for all three sessions (February 21, February 28, and March 7) for $200.

INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS:
👉 Click here to register for February 21 for $75.
👉 Click here to register for February 28 for $75.
👉 Click here to register for March 7 for $75.

If you wish to register more than one student, please complete a separate form for each student.

Stay Connected

🌐 Visit us at SNWP.org
📘 Join our Facebook community: Southern Nevada Writing Project

For questions, email snwp1984@gmail.com.

Southern NV Writing Project

2025 Summer Writing Camp for Grades 5-12

The Southern Nevada Writing Project is thrilled to announce our 2025 summer writing camp: “Write the Future: Igniting Creativity Across Campus”! This immersive three-day experience is designed for students entering 5th through 12th grade who are passionate about writing and storytelling. Whether you love fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or personal narratives, this camp will help you unlock your potential, sharpen your skills, and celebrate your work in a vibrant community of young writers.

Camp Details

  • Who: Students entering grades 5-12 during the 2025-2026 school year
  • What: Three-day writing camp exploring creativity across a college campus
  • Where: UNLV – 4505 S. Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89154
  • When: Wednesday, May 28 – Friday, May 30, 2025, from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Cost: $150 per student (includes lunch, all writing materials, and activities)

Why Join?

✔️ Experience an inspiring college campus setting

✔️ Work with expert educators

✔️ Develop creative and academic writing skills

✔️ Engage in hands-on activities and collaborative projects

✔️ Share and celebrate your writing in a supportive community

✔️ Enjoy all-you-can-eat lunch at the UNLV Dining Commons

Lunch Details

Lunch is included in the cost of the camp and will be provided in the UNLV Dining Commons, offering a variety of dining options. Students should be aware of any allergies and/or dietary concerns and are encouraged to ask the Dining Commons staff any questions about food choices.

How to Register

Secure your spot today! Click the link below to complete registration: Register Here

If you wish to register more than one student, complete a separate form for each student. 

Stay Connected

Visit us at SNWP.org or join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/SNWritingProject

For questions, email snwp1984@gmail.com.

We can’t wait to help you Write the Future!

Southern NV Writing Project

Fall ’24 and Spring ’25 Writing Institute

We’re excited to announce that our Interest List for the Fall ’24 and Spring ’25 Writing Institute is live! Are you a teacher who is ready to engage in a high-quality, intensive professional development on the teaching of writing? Do you know a teacher who would be perfect for the Writing Institute? Click “Join the Interest List” below and become a part of our Interest List and be alerted when it’s time to sign-up for the institute.

The Writing Institute is open to all teachers of writing! This includes elementary, secondary, and post-secondary educators of all subjects. If you teach students to write — the Writing Institute is for you!

JOIN THE INTEREST LIST
Southern NV Writing Project

Writing Institute Starts Online August 25, 2021


SNWP invites all teachers of writing, no matter the age group or subject you teach, to join us this Fall Semester for the Writing Institute. The Institute is offered through UNLV’s College of Education as CIL-617. This is a three-credit graduate credit course.

If you are already a graduate student at UNLV or non-degree seeking graduate student, all you have to do is register for CIL 617!

If not, you need to complete these three steps:

  1. Apply as a non-degree seeking graduate student at UNLV. 
    • Click here for more information about that process.
    • Click here for the application link. 
  2. Complete the residency application for in-state tuition. 
  3. Register and pay for CIL 617 using MyUNLV portal.

Steps one and two should be completed ASAP, while step three can only be completed once those first steps are completed. It’s okay to complete step three in August.

Please reach out to Dr. Sophie Ladd at sophie.ladd@unlv.edu or Ben Koch benjamin.koch@unlv.edu for more information.

Southern NV Writing Project

Trust the Process

Written by Kali Copplin

I applied to the Southern Nevada Writing Project Writing Institute after being told it would help me become a better writing teacher. Teaching writing had been the bane of my existence. I would watch the clock slowly tick by counting down the seconds until I could tell my students to put their writing away and begin cleaning up the classroom. The day we interviewed for the Writing Institute I knew I had blown it when I stated that “I hated writing.” However, I was delightfully surprised when I was invited back to participate

The first day in the class, hearing what was expected of us, made me question my decision to participate. The term “Response Group Protocol” filled me with trepidation. I loved the people I saw everyday but hated the thought of writing and sharing. Slowly though, I began to take more pride in my work. Revising pieces over and over allowed me to really break down my writing and see what was working and what wasn’t. Working on the same piece over multiple weeks allowed me to truly feel pride over what I was accomplishing. Sharing my work and thoughts was suddenly easier than it had ever been. I began to gain a confidence in myself that I had never had before.

As a part of the Writing Institute, I created a plan to establish a writer’s workshop in my classroom. Writing had become dull and lifeless in my class. My goal was to change my student’s attitudes about writing and show them the endless possibilities writing could offer. I knew what I was bringing back to my classroom. I had a plan for my students and I knew it was going to work. There were still kinks to work out and obstacles to overcome but I was ready to tackle them with a renewed vigor; it was as if suddenly teaching writing didn’t seem so daunting.

I implemented my writer’s workshop with much success. Although everything didn’t go according to plan – the pacing didn’t meet mine; there were rubrics to consider, and the students were less exposed to writing than I had anticipated – I found it didn’t really matter. I didn’t doubt myself or my plan, I just adjusted accordingly. I didn’t stress out, I took a step back and revised. And when asked at meetings what I was doing during writing for my kids, I excitedly shared their progress and the process we were going through together.

My ELA strategist began inviting me to share my experience with writing at meetings – something I hadn’t experienced before. My grade level chair came to me to talk about writing and what we could do to engage our students. I was suddenly confident in my ability to help people plan their writing lessons and gave my opinion freely. I didn’t dread writing anymore and even changed up my schedule to allow more time for it.

My goal going into the Writing Institute had been to change student attitudes about writing, much like mine had been changed. I wasn’t sure I was successful until the day writing was canceled to attend an assembly and my students let out a collective sigh of sadness. I couldn’t believe I had finally done it – helped my students learn to love writing.

These days, my students can’t wait to get started on writing. They constantly ask me if they can work on writing during our reading block and are always eager to share their newest ideas. I can honestly say in my few short years teaching, I have never had more confidence in myself than I do now. I don’t shy away from opportunities, I tackle them. I enjoy sharing what’s working in my classroom with others and even my failures. I didn’t just learn to be a better writing teacher, I learned to trust myself and the process.

Copplin Headshot

Kali Copplin is a first-grade teacher at Laura Dearing Elementary and a teacher-consultant with the Southern Nevada Writing Project.