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Photo Diary: Nerd Camp: Day 1

July 11, 2016 by Travis Jonker   Leave a Comment

I’m off to the biggest and best literacy-focused unconference around: Nerd Camp. I’m bringing my camera with me and will be posting pictures here throughout the day – check back for updates.

This is the first day of the event: the day filled with pre-planned sessions (Ignite-style talks, author/illustrator panels, best book presentations, and educator-led professional development programs, and more). I’ll do my best to capture the sights and sounds minus the sounds.

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What is Nerd Camp? I wrote all about for School Library Journal.

Breakfast shot. Had to
Writing out questions for my session w/ Minh Lê and Betsy Bird
The Grab Bag of Question Fun for our session

 
My front seat. Audio recorder for The Yarn, music mix (courtesy of Phil Nel)
halfway there
Pit stop for a peanut butter CLIF Bar
Little known fact: Jon Scieszka is an Albion Alum
Dorm room living at its finest
Sidewalk chalk. I think I’m headed in the right direction
Made it
It’s hard being your own balloon wrangler
Nailed it.
Special guest! Cardboard Mr. Schu made the trip. Lauren Castillo is a fan.
Packed house for the Nerd Camp kickoff
Colby Sharp started things off by inviting Heidi up on stage. She said thanks to everyone who sent her books after a home fire.
And then the Nerd Talks began. It was fantastic stuff.
But wait! there was a surprise speaker. I loved the crowd reaction when Kate DiCamillo was announced. Definite audible gasps.
Session Time! Our location was the art room. The ambiance was pitch-perfect
Always fun if people show up. Thank you everyone who attended!
Here we are, gabbing away. it was a good time. (Photo credit: Marisa Saelzler
Next up: Author Jeopardy
Kalamazoo’s Book Bug was selling books
Next session: John Schumacher shares best books and interviews upcoming debut author Kate Beasley (Gertie’s Leap to Greatness) and Kate DiCamillo
The art raffle was pretty incredible. Here is some Aaron Becker and Ruth Barshaw work
Lauren Eldridge’s addition to the art raffle was unlike anything I’ve seen – a clay sculpture
Sculpture needs a quick fix

A taste of Nerd Camp swag
i attended the Nerd Camp dinner and this was our party favor. Debbie Ohi painted hundreds of these (!)
Scene from the Nerd Camp dinner
Returning to my car – beware of feral cats
Let’s have some late night Denny’s and call it a wrap

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About Travis Jonker

Travis Jonker is an elementary school librarian in Michigan. He writes reviews (and the occasional article or two) for School Library Journal and is a member of the 2014 Caldecott committee. You can email Travis at scopenotes@gmail.com, or follow him on Twitter: @100scopenotes.

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