Campers at Merry Barn’s Summer Writing Adventures may find a familiar face in this year’s teaching staff. Katherine (Kat) Cassidy, formerly Head of Chewonki Elementary and Middle School, will be co-facilitating Wondrous Words (June 26-30) and Telling My Story (Aug. 21-23) with Stephanie McSherry, founder and lead learner at Merry Barn Writers’ Retreat.

Cassidy brings 24 years of experience in teaching writing to kids and a passion for helping them send their voices into the world. Her students were frequent contributors to writing contests including the Maine Literary Awards, Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, and the NCTE Promising Young Writers program.

“I’m excited to have Kat join our stellar team of educators, bringing her expertise and love of writing to our campers,” McSherry said. “I am always inspired by the professionals I work alongside. They add new perspectives to our programming and help me to grow my own practice.”

McSherry believes in the importance of having two experienced educators head up each camp. While the Merry Barn’s Summer Writing Adventures are camps, they involve many hours of thoughtful planning to allow campers opportunities to experiment across genres and art forms and find joy in the creative process.

Other talented members of the Merry Barn’s summer team include Jessie Boardman of Lewiston, a former fourth grade teacher, and a Suzuki-trained violinist who instructs students privately and at Maine Fiddle Camp, and Liz-Giles Brown, physical education teacher and owner of Learning on the Move in Boothbay Harbor. Teralyn Reiter, founder of Storytree Theatre, leads a week-long Adventure in Acting for kids ages 6-10; and Christa Mecham, art teacher at North Yarmouth Academy, and Kathy Hartley, artist and former fourth grade teacher at Boothbay Region Elementary School, are co-facilitating Adventures in Art.

Camps are filling fast! For more information and to register: www.merrybarn.com, or stephaniemcsherry@merrybarn.com.