University of Central Arkansas

Once teachers have completed the Summer Institute, they become eligible to participate in other National Writing Project activities. 

The Advanced Institute

The site hosts a week-long advanced institute for the purpose of writing. Participants have extended periods of time to reflect and write in response to pre-determined prompts. The goal of the institute is to publish an anthology of writings along a specific theme.

To apply for the advanced institute, please click here. 

National Convention

Every fall, usually the weekend before Thanksgiving holidays, the NWP hosts a national convention. The director and co-directors of the Great Bear Writing Project usually attend this event and encourage teacher-consultants to attend as well. The NWP has funds available to assist in the cost; however, amounts vary based on the distance to the convention city and the number of participants attending. Information concerning the national convention can be accessed at the NWP Web site, www.writingproject.org.  The director of the Great Bear Writing Project will e-mail an announcement to teacher-consultants during the month of August, requesting applications for attending the convention. 

The Open Institute

The site hosts an open institute for the purpose of bringing teachers of writing together to participate in “best practice” workshops, similar to those presented in the summer institute. Participants in the week-long open institute do not present workshops. When the open institute runs concurrently with the summer institute, members of the open are invited to participate in the Writing Marathon.

To apply for the open institute, please click here. 

Third Sunday Writing Group

When the summer institute ends, participants are strongly encouraged to continue writing and see themselves as writers. To that end, the site has established an ongoing writing group which meets during the afternoon of the third Sunday of each month. The locale varies, and participants are notified by e-mail at least a week in advance of the impending meeting.