Welcome to (New York) the Scratch Writing Camp Camper signups for our upcoming July 2023 (Mega)session! Please ensure that you read the entirety of this description before you sign up <3 ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⛱ SWC, or Scratch Writing Camp, is a triannual virtual writing camp, in that each participant sets a word goal for themselves and aims to write that number of words throughout camp. But that's not all we do - SWC also entails activities to help you with your writing, fun challenges with creative elements, and other tasks that you can complete to earn your cabin points! Speaking of points, there are 21 cabins - you'll be in one of them. Usually, there are only fifteen, but we've added some old & new ones this time around - hence the title of 'megasession!' All through camp, friendly competition is maintained between the cabins by a point system. The camp runs from the 1st of July to the 31st, and it's entirely online, so you aren't required to check in - though we encourage you to update words and finish activities as often as possible. ⛱ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ Official signups close at 23:59 UTC on the 25th of June - but that doesn't mean you can't sign up after that! Comments will remain open, but this just means you'll be sorted as a backup camper instead (Keep in mind that it's particularly difficult to sort backups into their cabin preferences). You will be informed about which cabin you are sorted into in late June - or if a backup camper, early July. The word goal limit is 100,000 words. To hit that goal would require you to write over 3000 words each day, and it is impossible to write this amount and still be healthy. Once you hit 100k words, your leader will not be allowed to count any more from you. Remember to follow Scratch Guidelines above anything else – be kind to everyone here no matter what, and no insulting or gossiping about other people. You are expected to know all of this, but we aren't too strict! We all make mistakes, but please remember - this is just an online writing camp, and we're all here to just have fun and keep the vibes happy <3 Prioritize your own mental + physical health and schoolwork over SWC. There are no prizes for winning SWC, and we would all much prefer it if you got eight hours of sleep rather than none because you were writing towards a cabin war all night! ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⛱ To sign up, the only thing you have to do is to fill out this form in the *comments* below: 1 | Do you have any plans in July that will affect your activity levels? 2 | On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your activity levels for the month of July? 3 | Of the cabins and leaders listed in the Notes and Credits, list a MINIMUM of three* leaders or cabins you would be comfortable with, without an order of preference. Leaders listed should be from DIFFERENT CABINS. (If you have no preference, just say that!) * You may request The Cabin That Will Not Win (See explanation in the Notes and Credits) as your only preference (or you may list it as one of your preferences as usual). 4 | What is your word goal? (A good starting goal for an inexperienced camper would be around 5,000 – 10,000) 5 | What is your WPM? (WPM is words per minute - an average of how many words you type/write in a minute. To check, go to https://www.typingtest.com, and put the exact number that you get in this answer, not 'High' or 'Average') 6 | Would you be comfortable having any of your comments during July quoted or screenshotted for the SWC memory book? (Answer with either "always", "ask first", or "never") 7 | Have you participated in SWC before? * Please give an exact number for your word goal and WPM, not a range! * Ultimately, there is no guarantee that you will get one of your cabin preferences - but a fantastic experience can be promised from every cabin nonetheless <3 ⛱ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ Leaders and their desired cabin atmospheres (written by the leader teams) can be found below! Cabins can be found here: https://scratch.mit.edu/studios/33415323/comments Cabin names have no correlation with what genre you write - you could be writing fantasy if you were in the Non-Fi cabin, etc. Make your choices based on the leaders, themes and atmospheres! We hope you're as excited as we are for this coming session! Feel free to ask any questions you may have, and see you soon ;) ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⛱ ⚓︎ Many thanks to all the past and present (co)hosts and others who have brought SWC to life! https://scratch.mit.edu/discuss/topic/626866/?page=1#post-6568199 ⚓︎ Thumbnail made on Canva, code by me ⚓︎ Music is an instrumental of 'Welcome to New York' by Queen Taylor, acquired by @always-wriiting ⚓︎ SWC logo by @oceanspIash ⚓︎ Kat (@whiteandblackcat) for our sorting method, and Robin (@-redredrobin-) for sorting every camper this past year - you're both amazing <3 ⚓︎ The Qualified Users Of Amazing Incredible Sorting (aka QUAILS) for recording signups, and Zaine (@Polarbear_17) for assisting with backup sorting! Tap Benny for a special surprise ;)
Action ❦ @-Loyalfeather | @Mouseloverr "With an engaging, dynamic, unique plot, and a friendly competitive vibe, Action has it all. Campers can bond while reaching their goals in a cabin that’s nothing like they’ve ever seen before!" Adventure ☸ @scratch_warrior_cat | @rocksalmon800 "This is a thrilling, motivational experience where you can learn how to use the Hero’s Journey to develop your story plots. All are welcome, whether you’re competitive or focused on personal goals." Contemporary ⛒ @hamilchaos | @SeptemberSong "Despite being a competition-oriented cabin, Contemporary will allow campers to have a safe place to write and pursue their goals :)" Dystopian ✧ @TWILIGHT_A | @RLove10 "The Spy Society is a cabin where bonding and creating a community-like atmosphere is priority. Geared towards competition and improving our writing, but without extreme pressure." Fantasy ஜ @Luna-Lovegood-LOL | @koolkatz38 @PhonyOOOPS “Fantasy offers an elemental experience, where everyone can let their imaginations run free to their fullest extent! We focus on fostering friendship and creativity through exploratory activities.” Folklore ✿ @strange_skies | @-limeade @TheBibliophile7 "An organised and chill cabin with a competitive streak. We’re a chaos embracing cabin that encourages self development, open mindedness, and maintaining a healthy balance between life and SWC." Historical Fiction (Hi-Fi) ✯ @--tranquility | @pages-of-ink "A supportive, community-oriented space, the Hi-Fi Revolution focuses on cabin bonding, encouraging collaboration with others, and building lasting friendships." Horror ∞ @ForestPanther | @Aiisling "Welcoming and lively, a cabin focused on personal projects and furthering your writing skills. We encourage participation in our cabin and its storyline as well as camp events!" Illustrated Fiction (Illu-Fi) ♖ @xc-egg | @Firetender “The Illu-Fi Underground Library is focused on escaping and figuring out who locked them in the library. Illu-fi is geared towards competition but will always put the members' health first.” Literary Fiction (Lit-Fi) ➻ @-faerylights | @opheliio "accept the invite to lit-fi and discover a welcoming library of puzzles emphasizing both quality and fun of writing. enjoy friendly competition, make new connections, and uncover our secret history!” Lyric ♪ @Eeveedonut | @Ashliight "An electrifying, yet also relaxed, escape from reality that embraces the joy of writing, competition, and community, while still growing our skills as authors." Mystery ꩜ @RoseReef | @Spire- @lokiously "In Mystery, we'll embark on a spellbinding witchcraft & wizardry themed quest with engaging challenges and bonding activities. Here, you'll be creating friendships with some competition on the side." Myth ❃ @-NightGlow- | @krizpii "Myth is a competitive cabin that aims to create a supportive environment with an action-based storyline. Emphasis on cabin bonding, weekly activities will be hosted to build sense of community.” Nonfiction (The Cabin That Will Not Win) ➷ @fluffyjujunicorn | @Froggola “The Non-fi Camp is a relaxed cabin focusing on personal goals and well-being. In a cabin off the leaderboard, your only competition is yourself.” (The Cabin that Will Not Win is NOT a part of the rankings. Go here for further explanation: https://scratch.mit.edu/discuss/topic/650823/?page=1#post-6839332 ) Poetry ᯽ @essayist | @Flowerelf371 "the lighthouse offers a calm and welcoming atmosphere that promotes long-lasting relationships and teamwork as well as self-improvement while providing inspiration for your writing." Realistic Fiction (Real-Fi) ✉ @not-a-nobody | @criminal-intent @vesperx-mp4 “Fostering an air of mystery, Real-fi serves a lively atmosphere and fun writing experience with a healthy dose of competition, while encouraging bonding, personal goals and quality writing.” Science Fiction (Sci-Fi) ꙰ @mossflower29 | @MoonlitSeas "Energetic, engaging, community centered -- Sci-Fi: Galactic Invasion aims to spark friendships, encourage teamwork, and maintain a lighthearted competitive atmosphere." Script ✮ @Rey_venclaw | @always-wriiting “join the script circus and find yourself surrounded by friends. script emphasizes individuality and acceptance, as well as the beautiful things collaboration can create.” Steampunk ⚙ @Sunclaw68 | @smalltoe "Steampunk aims to be a storyline-focused cabin, with an emphasis on discussion and collaboration—both in problem-solving and in growing as writers. Competition is a plus, but not an initial goal." Thriller ☢ @cb2jkl | @violent-measures "Thriller aims to support friendships through a creative, engaging storyline and a variety of bonding activities, while also encouraging a healthy dose of competition.” Tragedy ⌂ @Caesious | @Fantastical_Words “Tragedy is an ideal cabin for those campers who are looking to utilize competition as motivation towards their goals. We prioritize personal development while also enjoying a fun, competitive spirit!”