StoryCon

StoryCon has earned enthusiastic praise from parents and educators for inspiring young writers and readers. As a specialized program focused on storytelling and literacy, it offers a unique blend of in-person events and online resources that many families find transformative.

A Community for Young Writers

Parents consistently highlight how StoryCon creates a sense of belonging for creative children who may not find their niche in other extracurricular activities. The conference environment allows young writers to connect with peers who share their passion:

"My daughter, who goes every year, has met lots of kids from other states... it's getting to be a very big deal and there's really nothing like it anywhere else." Homeschooling parent on Reddit

This social aspect proves particularly valuable for homeschooled students, who appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with other young writers while learning from professionals in the field.

Building Confidence and Skills

The impact on student confidence emerges as a major theme in parent feedback. Many report their children return from StoryCon events with renewed enthusiasm and self-assurance in their writing abilities:

"Hands down, this has been some of the best money we have spent." Parent reviewer at Raise The Good

"It is AMAZING the difference this made in their confidence and skills as writers." Parent testimonial via StoryCon

Educators echo these observations, noting that students who attend StoryCon events often return to school as "energetic evangelists" for reading and writing, sharing their enthusiasm with classmates and showing measurable improvement in their creative output.

Learning from Professional Authors

The opportunity to learn directly from published authors ranks high among the program's benefits. Parents appreciate that their children receive instruction from successful professionals rather than just theory from textbooks:

"Popular writers teach classes on everything... you can get all of the classes online." Homeschooling parent on Reddit

Meeting favorite authors at book signings and interactive workshops proves particularly inspiring for many young writers, who return home motivated to apply what they've learned from these role models.

Practical Considerations

While feedback is overwhelmingly positive, parents do note some practical considerations:

• The program focuses specifically on creative writing rather than comprehensive language arts
• Parents of teens may initially feel uncomfortable with the "no parents in classes" policy at the in-person conference
• The conference can feel overwhelming for shy or introverted students due to its size
• Advanced teen writers might find some sessions too basic if mixed with younger participants
• Travel costs are a factor for families living far from Utah who wish to attend the in-person event

However, most parents consider these minor concerns compared to the program's benefits. The availability of online classes helps address geographic limitations, though parents note these don't provide the same level of direct feedback as in-person workshops.

Value for Different Learning Environments

StoryCon works effectively in various educational settings. Homeschooling families value the expert instruction that supplements their language arts curriculum, while classroom teachers report successful integration of StoryCon resources into their writing units.

"My students who attend the events become energetic evangelists for writing and reading when they return to school." Teacher testimonial via StoryCon

The program's flexibility makes it suitable for different approaches to education. Parents can use it as a supplement to other language arts instruction or as the creative writing component of a broader curriculum.

The Bottom Line

Parents consistently describe StoryCon as a worthwhile investment for children interested in writing and storytelling. The program succeeds in its mission to inspire creativity and foster a love of reading, with many families reporting that formerly reluctant writers develop genuine enthusiasm through their participation.

While not a complete language arts solution on its own, StoryCon provides a specialized, engaging approach to creative writing that many families find difficult to replicate through other educational resources. Its combination of professional instruction, peer community, and creative encouragement creates a unique environment where young writers can flourish.