Write Out 2021, as a two-week annual event, has officially come to an end for this year, yet the core idea to #writeout in your place and community is timeless and we encourage you to continue. Write Out 2021 was a beautiful experience writing out with each other, seeing so many young people (and young at heart) going into public places and spaces in their communities.
The theme of the 2021 event was Palettes, Storyboards, and Cadences; see the various resources below to support connected writing and connecting. Special thanks to the many people and organizations that contributed to Write Out 2021 including our partners Outdoor Afro and Park for Every Classroom.
Overview:
Write Out Week
at a Glance
Daily Sparks:
Writing Prompts from Rangers
Inspirations:
Writing and Making Activities
Participating Partners
Outdoor Afro
Outdoor Afro celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. The network also connects Black people with our lands, water, and wildlife through outdoor education, recreation, and conservation.
Park for Every Classroom
Park for Every Classroom offers teacher professional development aimed at deeper learning opportunities for students.
Featured Events
October 19, 2021
7p ET / 4p PT
#writeout with Outdoor Afro
Join us for a creative Write Out broadcast led by leaders of Outdoor Afro, the nation’s leading cutting-edge network that celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. Outdoor Afro leader Leandra Taylor and National Park Ranger Alanna Smith will lead us in creating and customizing journals to use for nature and historic writing. Don’t miss this event, just in time for Write Out and the National Day of Writing.
October 12, 2021
7p ET / 4p PT
#writeout with Park for Every Classroom
Join us for a “behind the scenes” exclusive as we engage in the power of stories, storytelling, and writing with partners from the Park For Every Classroom (PEC) project. We will learn about the work of PEC while we are also taken behind the scenes with Park Rangers and get the inside scoop on how these Park Rangers selected their writing prompts for this year’s Ranger Sparks videos, and how they tie the prompts to the diverse stories of their parks.
Other Events
October 14, 2021
7p ET / 4p PT
#writeout Twitter Chat: Palettes, Storyboards, and Cadences
Our first week’s #writeout Twitter chat will focus on the explorations of this year’s theme, ie. Palettes, Storyboards, and Cadences.
October 15-17, 2021
Outdoor Afro Assateague Island Camping Trip
Outdoor Afro is excited to announce a Fall camping event at Assateague Island State Park on October 15-17. On the island where the wild ponies roam, we will partner with Maryland State Parks to offer camping, kayaking in the marsh, nature appreciation, yoga, and a hike to the aviary for Scales and Tales. This event will cost $65 per person which covers the cost of the camping site, yoga, hiking, and nature and art appreciation activities. Other activities are optional and will be available for an additional cost.
October 16, 2021
9 – 11a CST
Digging Into Poetry—a virtual writing marathon hosted by Agate Fossil National Monument and the Nebraska Writing Project
Experience what it’s like to dig into a poetry experience based around the features of Agate Fossil Beds National Monument with Agate Rangers, Writing Project teachers, Nebraska State Poet-Matt Mason, and writers of all ages.
October 16, 2021
10a ET / 7a PT
Sip, Sketch, and Socialize Virtual Edition
Let’s gather virtually with a delicious beverage to slow down with sketching and writing in nature journals, and of course, connecting with each other as we share our stories about our favorite outdoors spaces. As part of Write Out with the National Park Service, we’ll spend some time observing, drawing, and writing in our nature journals, thinking about our connections to outdoor places. Is it the trees that you love? Are there birds you enjoy watching at different times of year? Or maybe the space is important to your family? Let’s talk about it!
October 16, 2021
10a ET/7a PT
Reading and (Re)writing Historical Markers, Monuments, Murals, and Other Public Texts with the Philadelphia Writing Project
Participants in PhilWP’s Annual Celebration of Literacy will embark on a virtual writing marathon across the city of Philadelphia using a digital story map. Philadelphia, like many other communities in the United States, has been reckoning with the role of its monuments, murals, and statues, particularly those that might perpetuate narratives of white supremacy. These local and global conversations can spark meaningful and engaging learning experiences in our classrooms. Seeing our built environment as a text (or collection of texts) to be read invites students to: (1) think critically about how/whose stories and histories are told and retold, and (2) contribute to an ongoing conversation about what we value as communities.
October 17, 2021
12 – 1:30p ET
Black Nature #WriteOut with Outdoor Afro – Portland, Maine
Capisic Pond in Portland is a great spot for writing and reflecting! It’s a fairly small park, with a wide and level main trail. There are also several benches along the trail for resting and reflective moments. Capisic Pond – both the actual pond & the park – is home to a wide variety of birds, amphibians, and aquatic/semi-aquatic rodents.
During our opening circle, we’ll read a poem from Black Nature: Four Centuries of African American Nature Poetry that will help slow us down and prepare us to be attentive to the natural world around us. After the circle closes, we’ll select the provided prompts and we’ll head off to write/draw for an hour. After an hour, we’ll come back and (if you choose) we’ll share what we’ve created.
October 17, 2021
1:30 – 3:30p ET
Fall Color Hike and #Writeout Reflection with Outdoor Afro-Knoxville, Tennessee
Join Outdoor Afro – Knoxville for a beautiful Fall Colors Hike. This will be a ranger-led hike. Ranger Clare will take us on a 3-3.5 mile hike through the park to explore the beautiful fall colors. We will learn how to identify some of the trees and shrubs in the park, especially as they lose their leaves during the fall and winter months. Some fun facts and natural history of the trees and plants will be shared as we hike the trails and enjoy the fall landscape.
Please bring your journals, sketchbooks, cameras, and binoculars as part of Write Out with the National Park Service, we’ll spend some time observing, drawing, and writing in our nature journals, thinking about our connections to outdoor places. Is it the trees that you love? Are there birds you enjoy watching at different times of year? What do you feel from looking at the fall colors? Let’s talk about it! #writeout
October 17-23, 2021
National Day on Writing Writing Party
Come gather as a community to celebrate why we write! All members are welcome. UNH staff, students, faculty, and community members of all ages.
October 20, 2021
Writing Marathon at Weir Farm NHP
Celebrate the National Day on Writing at Weir Farm NHP, and Write Out with us! Join our in-person or virtual writing marathon on Wednesday, October 20. Stop by our creativity tent from 12:00 to 3:00 pm ET to create your own artistic journal using collage and printing supplies, find a place to write, and share using #writeweirfarm, #whyiwrite and #writeout. Can’t make it to the park? Join us on social media for a virtual version of our writing marathon – Ranger Kristin will provide a writing prompt on Facebook at 9am ET, and you have all day to write and share.
October 21, 2021
7p ET / 4p PT
#writeout Twitter Chat: Making Write Out for All
Our second week’s #writeout Twitter chat will focus on how to make Write Out a more accessible, inclusive, equitable, and inviting event for all.
Questions?
Reach us at writeout@nwp.org.