ORLANDO, Fla. — An Orlando-area volunteer is helping inspire the next generation of storytellers through a unique summer camp that encourages students to express themselves through creative writing. Ethan Robertson, a volunteer creative writing coach with Page 15, an Orlando nonprofit that gives students the opportunity to write and publish their own original stories in just a few days.
“For me, just the idea of Page 15, a summer camp where kids can come and really cultivate their creative writing, is the type of thing I wish I had when I was a kid,” Robertson said.
Robertson’s journey with Page 15 began as a paid internship before he returned as a volunteer, dedicating his time to helping young writers build confidence and develop their creativity.
“We are consistent. Students are allowed to explore and write about whatever they like, and they are always celebrated for that writing,” Page 15 Programs Manager Alexandra Smith said.
Page 15’s small staff requires the organization to rely heavily on volunteers to bring its vision to life, Smith said.
“We’re a small but mighty group here at Page 15, so we rely a lot on our volunteers to help us execute the vision, and they provide a lot of really good experience, too,” she said.
Smith added that Robertson’s background in animation and illustration gives students another creative outlet while reinforcing the storytelling skills they develop through writing.
Former campers-turned-volunteer-coaches Izzy and Ellie Poissant said the supportive environment at Page 15 made a lasting impact on them.
“I’m a very anxious person, so seeing the teachers were very nice, I just felt calm and relaxed,” Izzy said.
“I immediately felt relaxed, especially compared to the school environment, where everything feels high-stakes,” Ellie added. “Being in a calm environment where you get to do something you love is so much better.”
For Robertson, volunteering has been just as rewarding as it has been for the students.
“It really invigorates me to be more spontaneous and more confident in my own ideas,” he said.
Through the support of volunteers like Robertson, Page 15 continues to give young writers a safe space to discover their voices, build confidence and take pride in stories that are uniquely their own.