I love participating in Slice of Life, started by Two Writing Teachers and writing a story, reflection, or musing.
First Nerdy gathering at the original 2013 nErDcamp - it's certainly grown since then!
The power team! 2013
What's a literacy conference without book shopping? Janet Frost, Louise Borden, and I stopped at Bookbug on the way home. 2013
Arrival night gathering 2015
Day one at the 2015 nErDcamp
Usually, I love the Facebook feature of memories popping up each day, but this week, it's just reminding me of what I'm missing! It's always an opportunity cost to figure out which literacy conferences/workshops/camps/retreats to attend throughout the year. The choices are rich in learning and experiences. My favorites in the past have been the NCTE Annual Convention, the OCTELA (Ohio Council of Teachers of English Language Arts) spring conference, Dublin Literacy, the Choice Literacy Writing Retreat, OMLA (Ohio Middle Level Association), and nErDcamp. My cohort, when she can come with me or I with her, is Megan Ginther. We love attending these events together, and usually co-present. My Slice of Life about our escapades together can be read here.
Unfortunately, we just can't attend all of them - money, time, and family obligations keep us from going to every one. This summer, we decided we wanted to go to All Write in Warsaw, IN for the first time. Because of that, we decided to skip nErDcamp. Both were several hours away, and we had other trips with our families planned, so it was difficult to go to both. However, seeing the pictures of the surprise speaker and guest, Kate DiCamillo, and all the tweets of learning going on, I'm having conference envy! Fortunately, I can follow on social media, and the folks at nErDcamp usually put together all the resources from the camp for those who can't be there, but sigh....it's not the same. I think I'm going to have to go back next summer!!
Conference envy is a real malady, but fortunately twitter and blog posts bring some of the fun to those of us who are missing the event. nErDcamp sounds so fun! I hope you can work it back into next year's schedule.
ReplyDeleteI understand what you're saying, Holly. I've never been to any of them but #ILA17 or #ILA18 is a goal! I am leaving for Washington D.C. tomorrow for the Scholastic Reading Summit with some sidekicks and I'm super excited. As you said, thank goodness for Twitter and social media! ~Amy
ReplyDeleteI have conference envy too. I don't know if I will ever get to this Nerd Camp since it's across the country, in another country, the exchange rate . . . Like you I am following on Twitter!
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is, thank goodness for blog posts and Twitter - they help the conference envy somewhat.
ReplyDeleteI have been feeling the same way even after our conversation at All Write. Might have to swing both of them next year!
ReplyDeleteLiving in Asia I have SERIOUS conference envy so often and as a result try to cram in as much PD as possible in the summer and this summer was no exception. I have to admot I am a lcky person- nErDcamp was great and I am still processing all the awesomeness! Hope to connect with you in person somewhere sometime. in the future
ReplyDeleteLiving in Asia I have SERIOUS conference envy so often and as a result try to cram in as much PD as possible in the summer and this summer was no exception. I have to admot I am a lcky person- nErDcamp was great and I am still processing all the awesomeness! Hope to connect with you in person somewhere sometime. in the future
ReplyDeleteDecisions, decisions-tough choices! I had an amazing time at #ILA16, Holly and look forward to #NCTE16!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed seeing your photos!
ReplyDeleteThe options you have are wonderful! It must be challenging to decide to each year!