Each year over 400 selected students in grades 4 to 9 from both Elk Island Public Schools and Elk Island Catholic Schools are invited to spend the day with a variety of well-known children and young adult authors, illustrators and graphic artists—working with them and learning the tricks of the trade.
Students who show special interest or aptitude in the areas of writing and illustration are invited by their teacher to attend the conference. Attendance is teacher selected and there is no open registration, however, every attempt is made to give opportunities to those students who would value most from this experience.
Friday, April 12 from 1:15 PM to 2:15 PM | YAC Live stream Event with David A. Robertson
The YAC live stream event is open to all staff and students at Elk Island Public Schools and Elk Island Catholic Schools, K-12.
David A. Robertson will discuss his book On the Trapline and share valuable insights on writing, storytelling and learning from the land that you won’t want to miss. View the event poster to see more details.
Watch the YAC 2024 Tutorial Video for information on how the day at Young Authors' Conference will unfold. Details such as parking, student drop off, session transitions and special elements about the date are included.
Frequently Asked Questions
Parents can let the YAC Committee know if they are interested via email. You will only be contacted if parent volunteers are needed.
Lakeland Ridge/Holy Spirit School has access to ample parking and drop off areas. Parking/Greeting Volunteers will be outside the school starting at 8:30am to meet and direct students. You are encouraged to drop off your child in the school drop off lane. Pick up will require you to find a parking spot and either come into the event to collect your child or make a plan with them prior to the event for where you will meet for pick up. Pick up is from 2:45-3:00pm.
Peruse the Digital Session Menu for this year's event! Presenters have provided videos to introduce themselves and their sessions. Use this to learn about our presenters and what this event entails - If you are not a part of this event this year, be sure to watch for information in 2025!
9:00 – 9:30am
Registration
9:30-10:00am
Keynote – David A. Robertson
10:15-11:15am
Session 1
11:15-11:35am
Break/Book Sales/Read Aloud/Literacy Stations
11:35am -12:00pm
Lunch
12:00-1:00pm
Session 2
1:00-1:20pm
Break/Book Sales/Read Aloud/Literacy Stations
1:20-2:20pm
Session 3
2:20-2:45pm
Book Sales and Autographs
2:45-3:00pm
Pick Up
A final detailed update of the day will be provided to parents, staff and volunteers in the first week of April. If you have any questions, you are welcome to email elkislandcatholic@eics.ab.ca.
On Monday, March 18 messaging went out at 4pm via SchoolEngage. The following information was included:
The Sched Registration Link and Password
Description of event
Event start time
Event end time
Details for cash book sales, bagged lunch, and refillable water bottle needed
YAC will be providing a SWAG BAG – mechanical pencil, notebook, sticker, treat
Three virtual sessions are being provided for at home viewers. Simply click on one of the links below to watch and learn from home!
Session 1 - Heroes Assembled: Create your own superhero and adventure story with Marty Chan
Session 2 - Bringing Comic Books to Life with David A Robertson
Session 3 - Hear These Words - How Stories Become Songs - with Kris Marks
Links will be live on the day of the event.
If a student has been selected by their teacher as an alternate for the Young Authors' Conference, this means that if the selected student from their grade is unable to attend the event, the alternate student will have the opportunity to go as a replacement for that student. We will deal with this on a case-by-case basis.
