Petals and Thorns Spoken Word Poetry Spring Break Camp (PDX)

You are in for a treat! This renown camp was the basis for the Portland-based short film, Petals and Thorns: A Spoken Word Journey." Come experience Petals and Thorns Camp for yourself and leave the camp a better and more confident writer, public speaker and performer! Watch the short film trailer below. Link to movie review here: Petals and Thorns in the Willamette Week .

During the Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM program, camp participants (youth in 7th through 12th grade) will have the opportunity to learn about the skill and art of poetry by studying both popular and lesser known poets, while strengthening their critical thinking skills, writing skills, communication skills, public speaking skills and presentation/performance skills. Camp participants will be assisted to craft their own poetry and spoken word performance to be shared with family and friends on Friday, March 29th at 4:30 PM.

**There is a chance there will be a field trip component of the camp. Details are still to be confirmed.**

This is NOT a drop-in/out camp. It is very important that camp participants are arrive and leave on-time, attend everyday and participate in all activities to the best of their ability. Consistent attendance and participation also aids in developing rapport and community amongst the camp participants as a whole and contributes to a better camp experience overall.

Breakfast, lunch and snacks will be provided every day. ** While we are making efforts to include vegan, gluten-free and peanut-free options, feel free to bring your own food. **We require that all food and drink brought be peanut-free. Also, NO energy drinks will be allowed.**

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About the camp facilitator La Toya A. Hampton, MSW aka The Poet Lady Rose:

La Toya A. Hampton, MSW, artistically known as The Poet Lady Rose, a native of Portland, Oregon, is a former mental health therapist, educator, entrepreneur, filmmaker and poet, who began performing spoken word poetry in 2008 using the stage name Lady Rose, in memory of her late father, Roosevelt. Her work has been featured in numerous publications, songs and the acclaimed documentary Black Girl in Suburbia.

In June 2022, she was chosen to perform as part of New York Times Best Selling Author of "My Grandmother's Hands" and "The Quaking of America," Resmaa Menakem during his Portland tour stop. Also in June 2022, she was one of four artists selected by Portland Playhouse to each produce their own short film. Her completed project, "Petals and Thorns: A Spoken Word Journey," which followed the experience of four (4) Black Portland teens while going through an intensive one-week writing and spoken word camp, culminating in their first spoken word performance, debuted in September 2022.

As an educator and mentor to youth for 25 years, La Toya has also conducted classes/presentations for elementary, middle and high school students, helping them to explore poetry and use writing as a form of self-care and expression, as well as a tool to uncover and share in common interests and struggle. She was recognized for her work with youth in her girls mentoring program "Finding Our Road to Success" (FORTS) in 2013, chosen by Deena Pierott of iUrban Teen to receive The Compass Award, which was presented to her by then-Mayor of Vancouver, Washington, Tim Leavitt. Also in 2013, she spearheaded her one-woman show, "Holes of a Piece of Me: An Introduction to Lady Rose,” at Headwaters Theatre in Portland, Oregon and self-published a zine of the same name that will undergo an expanded re-release as a full-length book due out in April 2023. You can follow La Toya at www.ThePoetLadyRose.com or on all social media @ThePoetLadyRose

Check Out The Poet Lady Rose's Website! Click Here

Contact Information:

Phone: 971-600-1065 call or text

Email: [email protected]

Host or Publisher La Toya “Lady Rose” Hampton -- Educator, Writer and Spoken Word Poet