NerdCampLI ‘19 Rolls Out the Red Carpet

Nerds from near and far flocked the star-studded red carpet for the Fifth Annual NerdCampLI at the James H. Boyd Intermediate School on Saturday, November 2^nd. In a word, it was NERD-A-RI-FIC! (Of course, NERD-A-RI-FIC is a real word! How is that even a question?)

Tracey Baptiste 

Unlike other celebrity events, this red carpet was rolled out for authors, illustrators, teachers, and librarians. And even though fashion was not a highlight per se of walking the red carpet, I’d like to note that I spotted many nerdies sporting their super cool, exceptionally nerdy NerdCamp t-shirts. In the mix, I also spotted a few #KidsNeedMentors t-shirts designed by illustrator-extraordinaire Jarrett Lerner.

The amazing volunteers! (Photo source: NerdCampLI)

So, you may be wondering, what exactly is NerdCamp? Glad you asked. (I truly have the best readers.) Nerdcamp is a literacy-based, participant-driven, un-conference education camp for educators, librarians, authors, and illustrators. Upon arrival, attendees fill a session board with post-its covering topics for discussion. There are three sessions, and you can present a session, participate on a panel, or just go with the flow, listen, and learn. If a topic is not for you, you can leave at any time and head to another session.

This year’s conference had over 600 attendees. Let me repeat. That’s 600 attendees! And as one speaker noted, these 600 attendees got up before the crack of dawn on a Saturday to attend a conference where they had absolutely no real idea of what was in store for them. Pretty impressive, huh!

I presented on a topic that is near and dear to my heart, Using Picture Books to Teach About Inclusion and Empowerment.

Photo by Nancy Churnin. 

I also participated in a discussion on Using Picture Books in the Upper Elementary Classroom and had the opportunity to sit in on a session given by Katey Howes, Gina Perry, Nancy Churnin, Carol Gordon Ekster and Laurie Wallmark on Idea to Execution: The Picture Book Process.

Left to right: Katey Howes, Gina Perry, Nancy Churnin, Carol Gordon Ekster and Laurie Wallmark. 

Below are some photographic highlights:

Enormous thanks to the amazing, incredible, you-take-my-breath-away organizers, JoEllen McCarthy, Kristen Picone, and Ali McDermott, and to the out-of-this world sponsors and volunteers who used their magic powers to make this day a reality. THANK YOU!

Sadly, that’s a wrap for NerdCampLI ’19, but I can hardly wait for NerdCampLI ’20!

INVASION OF THE NERDS: nErD CampLI ’18 IS OUT OF THIS WORLD!

Yesterday James H. Boyd Intermediate School in Huntington, New York was invaded by those unusual creatures known as nerds.

For those unfamiliar with nerds, they come from the dweeb genus and the nerdasaurus phylum (pronounced nerd-a-sau-rus). They have unusual and distinct characteristics, including, but not limited to, bags under their eyes from staying up way past their bedtimes to finish a book; bruises from crashing into walls while reading a book they can’t put down; and they often experience heart palpitations when their favorite librarian sets aside a book they’ve been dying to read. 🙂

So, what are nErD Camps? Great question. nErD Camps are free “unconference” education camps focused on literacy. They are participant driven by teachers, librarians, authors, and illustrators. Upon arriving, participants are given post-its to fill up a session board with topics for discussion. Anyone can create a session, participate in a session, or leave a session to attend another session of interest. It’s a day of free flowing ideas with the single goal of figuring out how we as teachers, librarians, authors, and illustrators can inspire kids to become lifelong readers.

 

This is my third nErd CampLI. This year I had the opportunity to take part in a wonderful session on author visits. I also attended three fabulous sessions, one by David Neilsen about “Inspiration is everywhere! Unlocking Students Imagination,” and another by Jackie Azua Kramer focused on “I wish my teacher knew … The question that can change everything for kids.” There was also a “mini” session about #KidsNeedMentors.

 

David Neilsen 

 

Jackie Azua Kramer 

#KidsNeedMentors is the brainchild of Jarrett Lerner, Ann Braden, Kristen Picone, and Kristin Crouch. The program pairs authors with schools for an entire year. Once a month, authors touch base with their schools where they share books and their thoughts on reading and writing. I have been paired with third graders at Locust Valley Intermediate School and Longridge Elementary School. It’s been an absolute privilege to work with these AMAZING third graders.

Kristin Crouch, Ann Braden, Kristen Picone, Jarrett Lerner

If you are an author interested in participating in #KidsNeedMentors, please send an email to jarrett.lerner@gmail.com or annbbraden@gmail.com. There are still many schools interested in participating that have been waitlisted.

 

I received this wonderful letter is from Locust Valley Intermediate School third graders. 

Here are a few photographic highlights from nErD CampLI ’18:

Artie Bennett, Timothy Young, JoEllen McCarthy

 

Members of the KidLit Authors Club

Timothy Young, Artie Bennett, me, David Neilsen, Jodi Moore, Laurie Wallmark 

I would like to shout out a HUGE THANK YOU to the superhero organizers of nErD CampLI, JoEllen McCarthy, Alison McDermott, and Kristen Picone, and to all of the teachers and librarians who arrived at 8 am and gave up their Saturday to be there.

I can’t wait for nErD CampLI ’19. And be sure to save the date for nErD CampNJ on May 18, 2019 at Chatham High School.