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- surfdudewave
-
Scratcher
34 posts
swc megathread ⌘ july '24
Surf's (Co-)Leader Application–Smooth Sailing (https://scratch-mit-edu.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/projects/1069309900/): 1923 words (including the excerpt)
About me:
Hi! I’m Surf and I use they/she pronouns. My timezone is EST, and some of my hobbies other than writing include reading, drawing, and playing tennis. My favorite author is Brandon Sanderson, and I also enjoy books by Andy Weir and Rick Riordan. My favorite genres to read are fantasy and science fiction, and I enjoy writing in all genres and styles! I’ve always loved to write when I was younger, and my dream job was to be a writer, since I loved creating new worlds and stories. I’m a Ravenclaw-Slytherin, as I'm both very ambitious and introspective, though I’m also friendly and creative. One of my other hobbies is coding, and I’m learning data science in Python right now. I’m also trying to improve my HTML and CSS skills, and hope to learn another coding language this year.
Experience:
I’ve participated in three sessions of SWC so far; I was a sci-fi camper for November 2023, a sci-fi camper for March 2024, and a solarpunk camper for July 2024. I’ve never had a leadership role inside of SWC, but I was a leader for WUC in April. I have also participated in multiple sessions of SAC and SRC.
Past experience I’ve had with writing include completing the National Novel Writing Month challenge last November, which I’m planning on doing again this year. I’ve also submitted various stories/poems to my school’s writing magazine.
Leadership positions I’ve held outside of Scratch include those in school clubs, working as a tutor, and helping teach others to play tennis for my job. I’m a dedicated member of my school’s science club and quiz bowl club, among others, and am forming a geography club this year and will be its president once it is hopefully approved.
Cabin Preferences:
Cabins I’d be open to leading include Sci-fi, Steampunk, Dystopian, and Fantasy.
My first and favorite idea for a cabin would be the Sci-Fi Files, which would have a similar format to the Illuminae Files (a science fiction series I recently read that was a mix of audio transcripts, text messages, emails, etc.). As campers earn keys, they can unlock more files in the Archive. Campers will have to solve challenges and puzzles in the files, collaborate to find clues, and work towards uncovering the truth of a catastrophic disaster involving quantum realities that was suppressed by Earth’s government.
Another cabin idea I have is the Dystopian Dreamscape. In it, people hidden deep under Earth’s surface have spent their entire lives inside of a dreamscape, unaware the world outside had been devastated by a horrific world war a hundred years ago. When the Dreamscape’s mechanism begins to fail, campers must figure out how to escape the crumbling world and return back to reality through a mixture of group activities and tasks to complete in an interactive storyline.
Cabins I would prefer not to lead include Fan-Fi, Horror, and Bi-Fi, since these are some of my least favorite genres. I would also prefer not to lead the Cabin that Will Not Win as I really enjoy the competitive aspect of SWC.
Excerpt: (Three paragraphs from my short story “by the time April comes around”)
She looked out the window to the frail, bare branched trees, clinging to their few remaining leaves the best they could, their empty, hollow bones bending in the wind. The trees groaned and creaked against the frigid winter air which seeped into their trunks. The blustering gale would linger until April, when it would be liberated by rain showers. In April, the breeze would thaw the dormant earth that had been solid for months in its hibernation. The steady drip of the melting icicles was like intravenous therapy, and soon, in the colder months, there would be thawing spires hanging off every overhang.
She rubbed her hands together, as if the friction could spark something other than the resignation that permeated the air. Her eyes flashed behind her for a second, to the white sheets that might as well have belonged to a ghost. A hollow husk, held suspended between life and death. She looked back to the ruddy glass window with an empty sigh. At least there was comfort there, in the everlasting oaks, forced into their perpetual cycle of abscission.
The dirt ground was firm, the needle ice below the uneven and clumped-up surface that was dotted with frozen crystalline lattices. Frost lined everything; the grass sparkled, along with the telephone pole and the metal hand bars on the accessibility ramp up to the main entrance. Each glittering blade and sheath, rigidly attached to the sod, were illuminated in turn by flashing rays and headlights. Everything was studded with shining diamonds, gelid and bitter in their frozen form. Gemstones so sharp that they’d leave your hands raw and numbed by the intoxicating beauty. Soon there would be delicate snowflakes, their ephemeral allure melting at the slightest touch; a memory, nostalgia attached to a forgotten sensation. Maybe the monochrome photos she’d find when emptying her mother’s bedside drawers, bent at the corners and stained with homemade jam from a family reunion.
Dedication:
This November, I’ll be able to dedicate a minimum of forty minutes solely to SWC on weekday afternoons (excluding time for writing), and will be more active on the weekends, usually about ninety minutes or more. I’ll also check in throughout the day between classes when I have school, and will do so for an additional thirty minutes every morning. The one major time commitment I have is school and homework (which I manage well), and additionally I will be doing NaNoWriMo, though SWC will be my main focus throughout the month. I also might travel for a few days (somewhere around the 2nd to the 9th) during the session, though this is only an idea and it might not happen. If so, I’ll have internet connection and be able to write, be active, and fulfill leadership duties during the potential trip.
I will also have tennis matches until the third week of October (14-18, unless some are canceled, and then they might extend into the week after), though they won’t greatly impact the time I’ll have for planning as they are spaced out–these are primarily on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Time management skills and shortcomings:
I’m good at planning whenever I have deadlines or tasks I have to do. I use a bullet journal and a checklist to make sure I’m working on something at a reasonable pace, and use checkpoints along the way to keep me motivated and productive. Keeping my list of commitments organized allows me to complete everything I have to do on time, without procrastination. It’s especially helpful for larger projects like posters or essays, and my planning strengths can easily transfer over to being a leader for SWC.
One of my shortcomings for time management is overcommitment. Sometimes I plan on doing too many things at once, so sometimes I become overwhelmed with a large workload consisting of a large number of tasks. A time this happened was during finals in eighth grade–I was studying for my end-of-the-year math test, while also working on a personal poster, an essay, and doing a large capstone project with my group. I managed this by reconfiguring my priorities; I set aside the personal project, and made sure I wasn’t over-committing myself to the group project and that the workload was even between everyone. I’m working on this by making sure I delegate appropriately by considering the amount of other commitments I have at the same time.
Collaboration and assets:
When working with others, one of my major strengths is that I’m reliable and will always follow through with what I commit to, and if for some reason I’m unable to do so, I will make sure to let others know with ample time in advance. I put in maximum effort for the tasks I complete and finish them on time, so that the entirety of the cabin’s leadership team can progress, and I always will reply to messages in a reasonable time frame. I’m also adaptable, and can easily work around any challenges that may pop up in the course of planning and during the session, which is something I’ve perfected as I’ve gotten used to last-minute lineup changes on the tennis team.
One of my shortcomings in collaboration is that I sometimes aim for perfection. This usually happens when I put forth an idea or something for the session–while this generally makes me put forth a more quality product, sometimes I hold off on finalizing things and spend too much time worrying about inconsequential details or small errors. I am working on this by worrying less about whether something is perfect and finalized while still being proud of what I create and do.
Some of my assets for a leading team include that I enjoy graphic design and art, so I’d be able to design profile pictures and create the aesthetic for the cabin, and can make banners as well. I also have a lot of experience with creating interactive storylines, which I like to do with my cousins. I also love to make puzzles, which can be incorporated as part of the storyline.
Leadership:
I most greatly value the quality of being able to communicate effectively in a leader. I believe leaders should always work to understand others and connect with the members of their leadership team, and by doing so, it furthers connectivity and understanding. As part of the tennis team, something that has really made this season great is the communication between the captains and the players, which is something I aim to replicate in leadership positions I have. Strong communication also creates a more open and friendly space that, personally, is one of the things that comes to mind when I think of SWC’s atmosphere.
As a leader, I will work towards effective communication through valuing others’ ideas, creating an inclusive environment, and promoting collaboration, which is something I also apply to my leadership roles outside of Scratch.
Cabin atmosphere:
“A friendly, creativity-geared cabin focused on personal improvement, while also encouraging collaboration among campers and amicable competition.” (145 characters)
Checkboxes:
() I will be available to help add points in the main cabin consistently throughout camp.
(✔) I’m willing to share a promotional project for SWC.
(✔) I’m applying for both leader and co.
Note: I’ll be able to help add points whenever I can, but on busier schooldays and if I am traveling I will not be able to do so.
There are not any leadership requirements I will be unable to complete.
If for some reason I become inactive without notice, I will notify my cabin’s leadership team and see if they can temporarily take over my responsibilities, though in September I would lay out all the posts and responsibilities beforehand to make it easier to prepare for unpredictable events.
If I will be inactive with advance notice, I will make sure that everything I’m responsible for is planned out for the rest of the cabin’s leadership team, and I will notify both them and the hosts in case I will be inactive for a prolonged and significant amount of time.
If a fellow (co-)leader becomes inactive without advance notice for more than ~5 days and won’t respond to messages, I will help divide up their work in a reasonable and fair manner with the rest of the cabin’s leadership team to ensure the rest of the session runs smoothly.
About me:
Hi! I’m Surf and I use they/she pronouns. My timezone is EST, and some of my hobbies other than writing include reading, drawing, and playing tennis. My favorite author is Brandon Sanderson, and I also enjoy books by Andy Weir and Rick Riordan. My favorite genres to read are fantasy and science fiction, and I enjoy writing in all genres and styles! I’ve always loved to write when I was younger, and my dream job was to be a writer, since I loved creating new worlds and stories. I’m a Ravenclaw-Slytherin, as I'm both very ambitious and introspective, though I’m also friendly and creative. One of my other hobbies is coding, and I’m learning data science in Python right now. I’m also trying to improve my HTML and CSS skills, and hope to learn another coding language this year.
Experience:
I’ve participated in three sessions of SWC so far; I was a sci-fi camper for November 2023, a sci-fi camper for March 2024, and a solarpunk camper for July 2024. I’ve never had a leadership role inside of SWC, but I was a leader for WUC in April. I have also participated in multiple sessions of SAC and SRC.
Past experience I’ve had with writing include completing the National Novel Writing Month challenge last November, which I’m planning on doing again this year. I’ve also submitted various stories/poems to my school’s writing magazine.
Leadership positions I’ve held outside of Scratch include those in school clubs, working as a tutor, and helping teach others to play tennis for my job. I’m a dedicated member of my school’s science club and quiz bowl club, among others, and am forming a geography club this year and will be its president once it is hopefully approved.
Cabin Preferences:
Cabins I’d be open to leading include Sci-fi, Steampunk, Dystopian, and Fantasy.
My first and favorite idea for a cabin would be the Sci-Fi Files, which would have a similar format to the Illuminae Files (a science fiction series I recently read that was a mix of audio transcripts, text messages, emails, etc.). As campers earn keys, they can unlock more files in the Archive. Campers will have to solve challenges and puzzles in the files, collaborate to find clues, and work towards uncovering the truth of a catastrophic disaster involving quantum realities that was suppressed by Earth’s government.
Another cabin idea I have is the Dystopian Dreamscape. In it, people hidden deep under Earth’s surface have spent their entire lives inside of a dreamscape, unaware the world outside had been devastated by a horrific world war a hundred years ago. When the Dreamscape’s mechanism begins to fail, campers must figure out how to escape the crumbling world and return back to reality through a mixture of group activities and tasks to complete in an interactive storyline.
Cabins I would prefer not to lead include Fan-Fi, Horror, and Bi-Fi, since these are some of my least favorite genres. I would also prefer not to lead the Cabin that Will Not Win as I really enjoy the competitive aspect of SWC.
Excerpt: (Three paragraphs from my short story “by the time April comes around”)
She looked out the window to the frail, bare branched trees, clinging to their few remaining leaves the best they could, their empty, hollow bones bending in the wind. The trees groaned and creaked against the frigid winter air which seeped into their trunks. The blustering gale would linger until April, when it would be liberated by rain showers. In April, the breeze would thaw the dormant earth that had been solid for months in its hibernation. The steady drip of the melting icicles was like intravenous therapy, and soon, in the colder months, there would be thawing spires hanging off every overhang.
She rubbed her hands together, as if the friction could spark something other than the resignation that permeated the air. Her eyes flashed behind her for a second, to the white sheets that might as well have belonged to a ghost. A hollow husk, held suspended between life and death. She looked back to the ruddy glass window with an empty sigh. At least there was comfort there, in the everlasting oaks, forced into their perpetual cycle of abscission.
The dirt ground was firm, the needle ice below the uneven and clumped-up surface that was dotted with frozen crystalline lattices. Frost lined everything; the grass sparkled, along with the telephone pole and the metal hand bars on the accessibility ramp up to the main entrance. Each glittering blade and sheath, rigidly attached to the sod, were illuminated in turn by flashing rays and headlights. Everything was studded with shining diamonds, gelid and bitter in their frozen form. Gemstones so sharp that they’d leave your hands raw and numbed by the intoxicating beauty. Soon there would be delicate snowflakes, their ephemeral allure melting at the slightest touch; a memory, nostalgia attached to a forgotten sensation. Maybe the monochrome photos she’d find when emptying her mother’s bedside drawers, bent at the corners and stained with homemade jam from a family reunion.
Dedication:
This November, I’ll be able to dedicate a minimum of forty minutes solely to SWC on weekday afternoons (excluding time for writing), and will be more active on the weekends, usually about ninety minutes or more. I’ll also check in throughout the day between classes when I have school, and will do so for an additional thirty minutes every morning. The one major time commitment I have is school and homework (which I manage well), and additionally I will be doing NaNoWriMo, though SWC will be my main focus throughout the month. I also might travel for a few days (somewhere around the 2nd to the 9th) during the session, though this is only an idea and it might not happen. If so, I’ll have internet connection and be able to write, be active, and fulfill leadership duties during the potential trip.
I will also have tennis matches until the third week of October (14-18, unless some are canceled, and then they might extend into the week after), though they won’t greatly impact the time I’ll have for planning as they are spaced out–these are primarily on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Time management skills and shortcomings:
I’m good at planning whenever I have deadlines or tasks I have to do. I use a bullet journal and a checklist to make sure I’m working on something at a reasonable pace, and use checkpoints along the way to keep me motivated and productive. Keeping my list of commitments organized allows me to complete everything I have to do on time, without procrastination. It’s especially helpful for larger projects like posters or essays, and my planning strengths can easily transfer over to being a leader for SWC.
One of my shortcomings for time management is overcommitment. Sometimes I plan on doing too many things at once, so sometimes I become overwhelmed with a large workload consisting of a large number of tasks. A time this happened was during finals in eighth grade–I was studying for my end-of-the-year math test, while also working on a personal poster, an essay, and doing a large capstone project with my group. I managed this by reconfiguring my priorities; I set aside the personal project, and made sure I wasn’t over-committing myself to the group project and that the workload was even between everyone. I’m working on this by making sure I delegate appropriately by considering the amount of other commitments I have at the same time.
Collaboration and assets:
When working with others, one of my major strengths is that I’m reliable and will always follow through with what I commit to, and if for some reason I’m unable to do so, I will make sure to let others know with ample time in advance. I put in maximum effort for the tasks I complete and finish them on time, so that the entirety of the cabin’s leadership team can progress, and I always will reply to messages in a reasonable time frame. I’m also adaptable, and can easily work around any challenges that may pop up in the course of planning and during the session, which is something I’ve perfected as I’ve gotten used to last-minute lineup changes on the tennis team.
One of my shortcomings in collaboration is that I sometimes aim for perfection. This usually happens when I put forth an idea or something for the session–while this generally makes me put forth a more quality product, sometimes I hold off on finalizing things and spend too much time worrying about inconsequential details or small errors. I am working on this by worrying less about whether something is perfect and finalized while still being proud of what I create and do.
Some of my assets for a leading team include that I enjoy graphic design and art, so I’d be able to design profile pictures and create the aesthetic for the cabin, and can make banners as well. I also have a lot of experience with creating interactive storylines, which I like to do with my cousins. I also love to make puzzles, which can be incorporated as part of the storyline.
Leadership:
I most greatly value the quality of being able to communicate effectively in a leader. I believe leaders should always work to understand others and connect with the members of their leadership team, and by doing so, it furthers connectivity and understanding. As part of the tennis team, something that has really made this season great is the communication between the captains and the players, which is something I aim to replicate in leadership positions I have. Strong communication also creates a more open and friendly space that, personally, is one of the things that comes to mind when I think of SWC’s atmosphere.
As a leader, I will work towards effective communication through valuing others’ ideas, creating an inclusive environment, and promoting collaboration, which is something I also apply to my leadership roles outside of Scratch.
Cabin atmosphere:
“A friendly, creativity-geared cabin focused on personal improvement, while also encouraging collaboration among campers and amicable competition.” (145 characters)
Checkboxes:
() I will be available to help add points in the main cabin consistently throughout camp.
(✔) I’m willing to share a promotional project for SWC.
(✔) I’m applying for both leader and co.
Note: I’ll be able to help add points whenever I can, but on busier schooldays and if I am traveling I will not be able to do so.
There are not any leadership requirements I will be unable to complete.
If for some reason I become inactive without notice, I will notify my cabin’s leadership team and see if they can temporarily take over my responsibilities, though in September I would lay out all the posts and responsibilities beforehand to make it easier to prepare for unpredictable events.
If I will be inactive with advance notice, I will make sure that everything I’m responsible for is planned out for the rest of the cabin’s leadership team, and I will notify both them and the hosts in case I will be inactive for a prolonged and significant amount of time.
If a fellow (co-)leader becomes inactive without advance notice for more than ~5 days and won’t respond to messages, I will help divide up their work in a reasonable and fair manner with the rest of the cabin’s leadership team to ensure the rest of the session runs smoothly.
Last edited by surfdudewave (Sept. 18, 2024 23:56:00)
- tsukasatenma-
-
Scratcher
3 posts
swc megathread ⌘ july '24
a text-only version of Leo's leader app!! (this is a little different from the original but I don't have time to change it currently)
About Me
Hi, I'm Leo! I am 14 years old and I'm currently studying English 2. I enjoy writing, reading, art, and music. I live in America and I love spending time on Scratch. I play various games, but I always make sure to reserve time for activities I truly enjoy.
Experiences
I've been writing for a while. I took part in SWC (Scratch Writing Camp) in November 2023 as a camper in the horror cabin. I participated in JWC (January Writing Camp) to improve my writing skills. Additionally, I took part in SWC in March 2024 in the fairytale cabin.
Other important things
I am applying for the position of leader or co-leader, so my preferred cabins are horror, fairytales, or epistolary, but I'm open to any assignment. I will strive to be highly active by checking in at least 5 days a week!
Checklist:
X Applying for Leader and Co-Leader
Applying for only Co-Leader
X Willing to share a promotional project for SWC
Time Management:
I struggle with time management, but I am actively working to improve my skills!
Working with others:
One of my strengths when working with others is facilitating discussions about what needs to be done. However, a weakness of mine is that I sometimes end up taking on all the work.
Quality:
One of the most important qualities of a leader is the ability to provide unwavering support to your campers.
Atmosphere:
I want to create a peaceful and welcoming environment free from toxicity. Toxicity can demotivate individuals.
Writing Piece
The sound of rustling leaves and bushes caught Ralph's and the other boys' attention. They all turned to look at the source of the strange noise. Suddenly, Jack yelled, “It's the beast! Run!” and took off. The rest of the boys quickly followed suit, running away from the platform. Like the others, Ralph began to run but tripped over a rock in the sand and fell.
“Are you okay?” a girl's voice asked from behind him.
Ralph turned around and saw his twin sister extending her hand to help him up. The girl bore a striking resemblance to the person standing next to her. Her hair was a bright blonde, just like his, but her eyes were a deep emerald green shade that contrasted with his light green ones. The way she moved and spoke was reminiscent of him too. It was as if she had inherited his mannerisms and habits. Seeing them side by side, one could easily tell they were twins.
As she extended her hand to help him up, Ralph spoke in a calm voice, “I'm alright.” She looked at him with concern, but she could tell from his reassuring tone that he was indeed okay. Ralph took her hand and used it to steady himself as he got back on his feet. She noticed a small scrape on his knee and offered to help clean up the scratch, but Ralph waved it off, saying it was just a minor scratch. Despite his injury, he didn't seem to be in any pain, and his smile was as bright as ever.
She looked at him, feeling worried for her brother, and asked him, “Are you sure you’re alright, Ralph?”
Ralph replied to her confidently, “I’m sure I’m alright, El.”
The girl smiled and hugged her twin brother tightly. All the other boys, including Jack, stared at the two siblings who were hugging in front of them. It was silent for a moment.
“Oi, Ralph! Who’s this girl?” Jack shouted, disturbing the silence that had surrounded them.
“She’s my twin sister,” Ralph proudly replied, “Her name is Elena.”
As the group returned to the platform for the next meeting, all eyes were on Elena, who stood next to Ralph. Her shy wave caught everyone's attention, but they couldn't help but notice the confidence she exuded. It was evident that some new rules were necessary.
About Me
Hi, I'm Leo! I am 14 years old and I'm currently studying English 2. I enjoy writing, reading, art, and music. I live in America and I love spending time on Scratch. I play various games, but I always make sure to reserve time for activities I truly enjoy.
Experiences
I've been writing for a while. I took part in SWC (Scratch Writing Camp) in November 2023 as a camper in the horror cabin. I participated in JWC (January Writing Camp) to improve my writing skills. Additionally, I took part in SWC in March 2024 in the fairytale cabin.
Other important things
I am applying for the position of leader or co-leader, so my preferred cabins are horror, fairytales, or epistolary, but I'm open to any assignment. I will strive to be highly active by checking in at least 5 days a week!
Checklist:
X Applying for Leader and Co-Leader
Applying for only Co-Leader
X Willing to share a promotional project for SWC
Time Management:
I struggle with time management, but I am actively working to improve my skills!
Working with others:
One of my strengths when working with others is facilitating discussions about what needs to be done. However, a weakness of mine is that I sometimes end up taking on all the work.
Quality:
One of the most important qualities of a leader is the ability to provide unwavering support to your campers.
Atmosphere:
I want to create a peaceful and welcoming environment free from toxicity. Toxicity can demotivate individuals.
Writing Piece
The sound of rustling leaves and bushes caught Ralph's and the other boys' attention. They all turned to look at the source of the strange noise. Suddenly, Jack yelled, “It's the beast! Run!” and took off. The rest of the boys quickly followed suit, running away from the platform. Like the others, Ralph began to run but tripped over a rock in the sand and fell.
“Are you okay?” a girl's voice asked from behind him.
Ralph turned around and saw his twin sister extending her hand to help him up. The girl bore a striking resemblance to the person standing next to her. Her hair was a bright blonde, just like his, but her eyes were a deep emerald green shade that contrasted with his light green ones. The way she moved and spoke was reminiscent of him too. It was as if she had inherited his mannerisms and habits. Seeing them side by side, one could easily tell they were twins.
As she extended her hand to help him up, Ralph spoke in a calm voice, “I'm alright.” She looked at him with concern, but she could tell from his reassuring tone that he was indeed okay. Ralph took her hand and used it to steady himself as he got back on his feet. She noticed a small scrape on his knee and offered to help clean up the scratch, but Ralph waved it off, saying it was just a minor scratch. Despite his injury, he didn't seem to be in any pain, and his smile was as bright as ever.
She looked at him, feeling worried for her brother, and asked him, “Are you sure you’re alright, Ralph?”
Ralph replied to her confidently, “I’m sure I’m alright, El.”
The girl smiled and hugged her twin brother tightly. All the other boys, including Jack, stared at the two siblings who were hugging in front of them. It was silent for a moment.
“Oi, Ralph! Who’s this girl?” Jack shouted, disturbing the silence that had surrounded them.
“She’s my twin sister,” Ralph proudly replied, “Her name is Elena.”
As the group returned to the platform for the next meeting, all eyes were on Elena, who stood next to Ralph. Her shy wave caught everyone's attention, but they couldn't help but notice the confidence she exuded. It was evident that some new rules were necessary.
Last edited by tsukasatenma- (Sept. 9, 2024 15:58:49)
- CherryMango17
-
Scratcher
100+ posts
swc megathread ⌘ july '24
Types of Love
Mango’s (co)leader app
Self Love
Tell us about yourself
Hey everyone! I’m Mango (best fruit in the world)!!
I go by she/they pronouns but that is subject to change.
And if I’m right… PST timezone.
I like to bike, swim, write, read, and garden. I love to play with cars and I like to think I’m chill.
Platonic Love
Previous Participation
I have participated in five sessions. In the last five sessions as a camper to be specific.
I have participated in many writing competitions on and off scratch.
Outside of SWC I have been a music camp leader for a week and a few day camp co-leaders.
Familial Love
Cabin Preferences
I would like to lead or co-lead any of the following:
Action
Dystopian
Horror
Mystery
Romance
Thriller
Tragedy
I would not like to (co)lead The Cabin That Will Not Win
Romantic Love
Excerpt
Amore Aleks Abello chided themselves for not looking at a map beforehand when they found themselves lost in the more…unsavory parts of the city. For some reason, cell signal was nonexistent so the map wouldn’t load. There were no landmarks, except for that one ragged American flag strung to the top of a lamppost.
Amore grumbled to themselves, leaning against a leaning bus stop sign that looked seconds away from keeling over. They doubted a bus ever came to that stop. In fact, the streets were completely deserted with crumbling pavement, dirtied concrete, and heavily graffitied walls. Amore counted three road signs that were not either covered up or peeling off.
“D@mmit,” Amore grumbled to themselves, “Should’ve told someone I’d need help navigating this dump.”
Amore stepped away from the sign and started walking in a random direction, trying to find someplace with a map or signal.
“Where’s the nearest store? I swear, there should be one somewhere!”
They continued wandering in what they thought was West. Even though it felt like hours, the sky seemed to lighten.
“What…? Shouldn’t the sun be setting by now?”
There was a decent looking building in the distance that lit up the area near them. They quickened their pace to try to see what it was. As they neared it, they noticed that it was perfectly intact, with no graffiti or broken windows. The paint coat was fresh, the scent still strong. There were small flowerpots in front of the building, in full bloom. The door was ajar, and Amore stepped in.
The moment Amore closed the door, they felt the building shiver gently. Although it was quite noticeable, they tried to reassure themself that this was nothing unordinary. “Strange,” they remarked, “This can’t be happening. Perhaps, am I imagining it?” The building seemed to remain unchanged, but Amore had a feeling that something was different.
Compassionate Love
Time Dedication
I will be able to spend a total of 3-4 hours a day for SWC.
If anything, it would be school related things (cough cough homework).
I might potentially be out on the thanksgiving weekend, but that depends on my parents.
Eros Love
Time management
I am good at splitting up time into chunks and getting stuff done in the given time chunk.
I often give too less time for myself, or forget some crucial thing and have to give it more time, but mostly, I am good with managing time since I plan ahead.
Storge Love
Collaboration and Assets
I work well with others and can calm things down if it gets too much. I often try to take total control of some situations, but if someone tells me to stop, I can. I am good at planning and good with communicating and being regular with checking in. I organize things quite well.
Unconditional
Love
One Quality
The one quality I value the most in a leader is the ability to work well with others.
I will try to get to know my campers well and talk with them and do in cabin challenges so everyone can work together.
Passionate Love
Cabin Atmosphere + Checkboxes
A competitive atmosphere with a focus on fun and friendships that will last forever with the interactive storyline. (115 characters)
I will be available to help add points in the main cabin consistently throughout camp (yes)
I am willing to share a promotional project for SWC (yes)
I can complete all responsibilities
If I was going to be inactive, I would let the rest of my cabin know. If another (co)leader was inactive, I would take over their word adding studio and what they are doing so that the cabin can continue to move smoothly. If it is a lot more I will split it up with the other (co)leaders
Mango’s (co)leader app
Self Love
Tell us about yourself
Hey everyone! I’m Mango (best fruit in the world)!!
I go by she/they pronouns but that is subject to change.
And if I’m right… PST timezone.
I like to bike, swim, write, read, and garden. I love to play with cars and I like to think I’m chill.
Platonic Love
Previous Participation
I have participated in five sessions. In the last five sessions as a camper to be specific.
I have participated in many writing competitions on and off scratch.
Outside of SWC I have been a music camp leader for a week and a few day camp co-leaders.
Familial Love
Cabin Preferences
I would like to lead or co-lead any of the following:
Action
Dystopian
Horror
Mystery
Romance
Thriller
Tragedy
I would not like to (co)lead The Cabin That Will Not Win
Romantic Love
Excerpt
Amore Aleks Abello chided themselves for not looking at a map beforehand when they found themselves lost in the more…unsavory parts of the city. For some reason, cell signal was nonexistent so the map wouldn’t load. There were no landmarks, except for that one ragged American flag strung to the top of a lamppost.
Amore grumbled to themselves, leaning against a leaning bus stop sign that looked seconds away from keeling over. They doubted a bus ever came to that stop. In fact, the streets were completely deserted with crumbling pavement, dirtied concrete, and heavily graffitied walls. Amore counted three road signs that were not either covered up or peeling off.
“D@mmit,” Amore grumbled to themselves, “Should’ve told someone I’d need help navigating this dump.”
Amore stepped away from the sign and started walking in a random direction, trying to find someplace with a map or signal.
“Where’s the nearest store? I swear, there should be one somewhere!”
They continued wandering in what they thought was West. Even though it felt like hours, the sky seemed to lighten.
“What…? Shouldn’t the sun be setting by now?”
There was a decent looking building in the distance that lit up the area near them. They quickened their pace to try to see what it was. As they neared it, they noticed that it was perfectly intact, with no graffiti or broken windows. The paint coat was fresh, the scent still strong. There were small flowerpots in front of the building, in full bloom. The door was ajar, and Amore stepped in.
The moment Amore closed the door, they felt the building shiver gently. Although it was quite noticeable, they tried to reassure themself that this was nothing unordinary. “Strange,” they remarked, “This can’t be happening. Perhaps, am I imagining it?” The building seemed to remain unchanged, but Amore had a feeling that something was different.
Compassionate Love
Time Dedication
I will be able to spend a total of 3-4 hours a day for SWC.
If anything, it would be school related things (cough cough homework).
I might potentially be out on the thanksgiving weekend, but that depends on my parents.
Eros Love
Time management
I am good at splitting up time into chunks and getting stuff done in the given time chunk.
I often give too less time for myself, or forget some crucial thing and have to give it more time, but mostly, I am good with managing time since I plan ahead.
Storge Love
Collaboration and Assets
I work well with others and can calm things down if it gets too much. I often try to take total control of some situations, but if someone tells me to stop, I can. I am good at planning and good with communicating and being regular with checking in. I organize things quite well.
Unconditional
Love
One Quality
The one quality I value the most in a leader is the ability to work well with others.
I will try to get to know my campers well and talk with them and do in cabin challenges so everyone can work together.
Passionate Love
Cabin Atmosphere + Checkboxes
A competitive atmosphere with a focus on fun and friendships that will last forever with the interactive storyline. (115 characters)
I will be available to help add points in the main cabin consistently throughout camp (yes)
I am willing to share a promotional project for SWC (yes)
I can complete all responsibilities
If I was going to be inactive, I would let the rest of my cabin know. If another (co)leader was inactive, I would take over their word adding studio and what they are doing so that the cabin can continue to move smoothly. If it is a lot more I will split it up with the other (co)leaders
- CatMeowLove7
-
Scratcher
100+ posts
swc megathread ⌘ july '24
Melody (text version)
Cat’s (co)leader app
(952 words, 1567 with excerpt)
About Me
Hi, I’m Cat! I’m 12 years old, turning 13 on the first day of camp! My pronouns are she/her, and I’m in the lovely timezone of ct! I enjoy playing viola, reading, writing, graphic design, art, and singing! I also play a teeny bit of tennis and I’m trying to learn piano.
Music has been a big part of my life. I’ve loved music for a very long time, and I’ve been playing viola for seven years! I play in both school and outside orchestras! I also love hanging out with my friends and listening to music. My favorite music artists are Sabrina Carpenter and Alan Walker and I really really really want to play cello! <3
Of course, I love writing and reading as well! Books are very important to me. Some of my favorites are the Powerless, Red Queen, and the PJO series. The library is one of my favorite places to be, and I’m currently almost done with a PJO reread. Now on to writing. I’ve loved writing since I was a little kid, and some of my favorite genres to write are dystopian, fairy tales, and fantasy. SWC has only made writing more special to me, and it’s given me lots of motivation. I love being part of the wonderful community <3
I absolutely love working with tech, I do some coding and design and I’m working on tech for my school’s play this year! I might study computer science or work in IT <3
But anyways, I’m so excited to be applying for the first time!! Thank you to the hosts and I’m really grateful for this opportunity! Hope you enjoy the rest of my app!!
Experience
I have participated in SWC twice, once in November 2023 in fairy tales, and once in July 2024 in script. Both were very memorable, amazing experiences, and my (co)leaders have always made my cabin a positive atmosphere, which is what I would want to do as a co-leader. I do have some leadership experience. I made and hosted my own writing camp (Scratch Aspiration Camp) with Chocolate, and I will be leading sci-fi in October for WUC (Writing Universe Camp). Outside of scratch, I have led multiple orchestras (as a section leader, not concertmaster). For writing, I’ve participated in multiple middle school level writing camps irl. In group settings that I feel comfortable in, I’m never afraid to speak my mind, and I feel comfortable on scratch. Circling back, I’ve participated in many camps and seen countless leaders and co-leaders create amazing cabin atmospheres, and I want to be able to do that for other people.
Cabin Preferences
I would be interested in (co)leading dystopian, fantasy, or sci-fi because those are my favorite genres to write and read, so I have more experience with them. As for The Cabin that Will Not Win, I would prefer not to (co)lead it, because I can get a bit competitive during cabin wars and in general, so I don’t think that’s the vibe for me. Keep in mind that these are just my preferences, and I would really love to (co)lead any of the cabins! <33
Writing Excerpt
Part of a weekly from July (615 words)
Passage of Time and Dual Timelines
Timeline 1 (282 words):
It was always quiet when the dragons went out to hunt. The dragons quickly padded through the bushes, though all three of their paws were large, no doubt. Though nature crumbled under their feet, they treaded silently.
Adira was large and burly, with a tail full of venom, honed claws, and red scales. Lulu was sweet and small, with golden scales that were so bright, they could light up the sky. Freya was an odd dragon, black with a pink nose, and an exceptionally long barbed pink tail and tiny wings.
Lulu sniffed the air, and informed the other two that she smelled a rabbit, for dragons were, contrary to human opinion (in their perspective, mythical fire breathing villainous creatures from fairy tales with red tails and wings and darkened intent), but rather smart hunters who were capable of communication. Lulu communicated silently, of course, as not to alert the prey of their presence.
Freya maneuvered her tail to hover slightly above the unsuspecting rabbit, and defeated it in one fell swoop.
“That’s three,” Lulu spoke. “We may head back now.” Adira and Freya nodded, and the three young dragons took flight.
Their den was small, just big enough to hold the three of them. The structure was made of scarlet roots, named Cosineae, derived from the ancient language. The integrity of their small fortress was poor, but they could make due until the egg hatched. Lulu’s egg had been laid moons before that day, but hadn’t hatched yet. It was her first egg, but it seemed it would only hatch when the three were long gone.
Lulu caressed the egg with her tail, and whispered, “Don’t worry, you’re safe. You’re safe.”
Timeline 2 (333 words):
When the scarlet roots turned dull and pale, when moons had passed and passed, when the three young dragons were gone, when the golden one’s egg still had not hatched, their den was sprawled upon by a most precious human.
Luke was a treasure hunter, traveling from place to place, collecting rare and mystical items. He was exploring the forest when he found a crimson shelter, with a roof three times the height of an ordinary human. There were dull red roots covering the walls, no, they were the walls. In the extraordinary den, he spotted a single golden egg. Excited yet ignorant, the young man chose to take the egg back to the inn he was staying in, breaking the one rule of treasure hunting; never take a golden egg, for the dragon will be an eternal bond.
Luke stood around a table, observing the golden egg, which contained a happy hatchling, causing the egg to start dancing around.
Under his watchful glance, the egg became still. It stood forcibly still for what felt like an eternity, until Luke heard a tiny crack in the shell.
Another.
Then a third. And then the shell split open. Revealing:
An exceptionally tiny dragonette. Her adorable, milk chocolate eyes were intently staring into his eyes, and her beautiful scales were gleaming gold. She had tiny folded wings with a span of maybe a finger, and her tail was sharp and pointed up like a cat’s.
Luke stroked her in between perked ears, and she did circles around him. She made her way to her shell and flopped down in the remains.
Lulu’s little child of gold had certainly used her centuries to shimmer like Lulu always did. But as the leaves fell and the sun rose later and later, the golden child grew and grew, and it seemed as if she would never stop.
But the dragonette was blessed to have a wonderful caretaker and protector, and she really had found a friend in Luke.
Time Dedication
I believe I can dedicate a healthy hour to SWC every day, around two hours on weekends. I’m much busier on Thursdays, but I can usually still find time to come on. I don’t have any major plans that will affect my activity levels.
Time Management
Now that the school year has started, I’m getting progressively busier, and I’m learning how to juggle my responsibilities, given that I’m taking a high school class, and I now know that what I do has an impact on my future. This is helping me build on my time management skills, and I can make time for what I need. I can do something when I really set my mind to it, and I don’t usually struggle with deadlines, unless I happen to be very busy.
Collaboration
I’m relatively good working with others. I enjoy working and collaborating with others. My weakness is that I can be very submissive, which can be good, but because I’m young, when people who are older than me suggest something, I think, “Oh, they’re a few years older than me, they’re so mature, they’re idea is so much better,” but fortunately, as I grow older, I’m slightly growing out of that habit, though I’m still a people-pleaser. I easily speak my mind when I’m comfortable in a group setting. As for my skills, I can be creative, and I’m very open minded. I’m warm and welcoming to new ideas, and I’m positive.
One Quality
One quality I value in a leader is communication. I’d like to be part of a leading team who makes connections and communicates with campers. My favorite part of SWC is the bonds I made with my fellow campers and leaders, and bonds are build around trust and communication. I believe it’s very important to make positive connections through communication.
Cabin Atmosphere
I aim to create a relaxed, friendly atmosphere, less geared towards competition, though I’m always up for friendly cabin war competition! I’m open to co-leading with a more competitive atmosphere. (196 characters)
Checkboxes
I will be available to help add points in the main cabin consistently throughout camp
I’m willing to share a promotional project for SWC.
I can complete all leadership responsibilities listed in the FAQ.
In case of inactive leadership, I would alert my team, campers, and hosties and give a reason for it. I’ll see if I can still do some basic tasks, and if needed, I would help find a new co-leader.
Thanks for reading <3
Cat’s (co)leader app
(952 words, 1567 with excerpt)
About Me
Hi, I’m Cat! I’m 12 years old, turning 13 on the first day of camp! My pronouns are she/her, and I’m in the lovely timezone of ct! I enjoy playing viola, reading, writing, graphic design, art, and singing! I also play a teeny bit of tennis and I’m trying to learn piano.
Music has been a big part of my life. I’ve loved music for a very long time, and I’ve been playing viola for seven years! I play in both school and outside orchestras! I also love hanging out with my friends and listening to music. My favorite music artists are Sabrina Carpenter and Alan Walker and I really really really want to play cello! <3
Of course, I love writing and reading as well! Books are very important to me. Some of my favorites are the Powerless, Red Queen, and the PJO series. The library is one of my favorite places to be, and I’m currently almost done with a PJO reread. Now on to writing. I’ve loved writing since I was a little kid, and some of my favorite genres to write are dystopian, fairy tales, and fantasy. SWC has only made writing more special to me, and it’s given me lots of motivation. I love being part of the wonderful community <3
I absolutely love working with tech, I do some coding and design and I’m working on tech for my school’s play this year! I might study computer science or work in IT <3
But anyways, I’m so excited to be applying for the first time!! Thank you to the hosts and I’m really grateful for this opportunity! Hope you enjoy the rest of my app!!
Experience
I have participated in SWC twice, once in November 2023 in fairy tales, and once in July 2024 in script. Both were very memorable, amazing experiences, and my (co)leaders have always made my cabin a positive atmosphere, which is what I would want to do as a co-leader. I do have some leadership experience. I made and hosted my own writing camp (Scratch Aspiration Camp) with Chocolate, and I will be leading sci-fi in October for WUC (Writing Universe Camp). Outside of scratch, I have led multiple orchestras (as a section leader, not concertmaster). For writing, I’ve participated in multiple middle school level writing camps irl. In group settings that I feel comfortable in, I’m never afraid to speak my mind, and I feel comfortable on scratch. Circling back, I’ve participated in many camps and seen countless leaders and co-leaders create amazing cabin atmospheres, and I want to be able to do that for other people.
Cabin Preferences
I would be interested in (co)leading dystopian, fantasy, or sci-fi because those are my favorite genres to write and read, so I have more experience with them. As for The Cabin that Will Not Win, I would prefer not to (co)lead it, because I can get a bit competitive during cabin wars and in general, so I don’t think that’s the vibe for me. Keep in mind that these are just my preferences, and I would really love to (co)lead any of the cabins! <33
Writing Excerpt
Part of a weekly from July (615 words)
Passage of Time and Dual Timelines
Timeline 1 (282 words):
It was always quiet when the dragons went out to hunt. The dragons quickly padded through the bushes, though all three of their paws were large, no doubt. Though nature crumbled under their feet, they treaded silently.
Adira was large and burly, with a tail full of venom, honed claws, and red scales. Lulu was sweet and small, with golden scales that were so bright, they could light up the sky. Freya was an odd dragon, black with a pink nose, and an exceptionally long barbed pink tail and tiny wings.
Lulu sniffed the air, and informed the other two that she smelled a rabbit, for dragons were, contrary to human opinion (in their perspective, mythical fire breathing villainous creatures from fairy tales with red tails and wings and darkened intent), but rather smart hunters who were capable of communication. Lulu communicated silently, of course, as not to alert the prey of their presence.
Freya maneuvered her tail to hover slightly above the unsuspecting rabbit, and defeated it in one fell swoop.
“That’s three,” Lulu spoke. “We may head back now.” Adira and Freya nodded, and the three young dragons took flight.
Their den was small, just big enough to hold the three of them. The structure was made of scarlet roots, named Cosineae, derived from the ancient language. The integrity of their small fortress was poor, but they could make due until the egg hatched. Lulu’s egg had been laid moons before that day, but hadn’t hatched yet. It was her first egg, but it seemed it would only hatch when the three were long gone.
Lulu caressed the egg with her tail, and whispered, “Don’t worry, you’re safe. You’re safe.”
Timeline 2 (333 words):
When the scarlet roots turned dull and pale, when moons had passed and passed, when the three young dragons were gone, when the golden one’s egg still had not hatched, their den was sprawled upon by a most precious human.
Luke was a treasure hunter, traveling from place to place, collecting rare and mystical items. He was exploring the forest when he found a crimson shelter, with a roof three times the height of an ordinary human. There were dull red roots covering the walls, no, they were the walls. In the extraordinary den, he spotted a single golden egg. Excited yet ignorant, the young man chose to take the egg back to the inn he was staying in, breaking the one rule of treasure hunting; never take a golden egg, for the dragon will be an eternal bond.
Luke stood around a table, observing the golden egg, which contained a happy hatchling, causing the egg to start dancing around.
Under his watchful glance, the egg became still. It stood forcibly still for what felt like an eternity, until Luke heard a tiny crack in the shell.
Another.
Then a third. And then the shell split open. Revealing:
An exceptionally tiny dragonette. Her adorable, milk chocolate eyes were intently staring into his eyes, and her beautiful scales were gleaming gold. She had tiny folded wings with a span of maybe a finger, and her tail was sharp and pointed up like a cat’s.
Luke stroked her in between perked ears, and she did circles around him. She made her way to her shell and flopped down in the remains.
Lulu’s little child of gold had certainly used her centuries to shimmer like Lulu always did. But as the leaves fell and the sun rose later and later, the golden child grew and grew, and it seemed as if she would never stop.
But the dragonette was blessed to have a wonderful caretaker and protector, and she really had found a friend in Luke.
Time Dedication
I believe I can dedicate a healthy hour to SWC every day, around two hours on weekends. I’m much busier on Thursdays, but I can usually still find time to come on. I don’t have any major plans that will affect my activity levels.
Time Management
Now that the school year has started, I’m getting progressively busier, and I’m learning how to juggle my responsibilities, given that I’m taking a high school class, and I now know that what I do has an impact on my future. This is helping me build on my time management skills, and I can make time for what I need. I can do something when I really set my mind to it, and I don’t usually struggle with deadlines, unless I happen to be very busy.
Collaboration
I’m relatively good working with others. I enjoy working and collaborating with others. My weakness is that I can be very submissive, which can be good, but because I’m young, when people who are older than me suggest something, I think, “Oh, they’re a few years older than me, they’re so mature, they’re idea is so much better,” but fortunately, as I grow older, I’m slightly growing out of that habit, though I’m still a people-pleaser. I easily speak my mind when I’m comfortable in a group setting. As for my skills, I can be creative, and I’m very open minded. I’m warm and welcoming to new ideas, and I’m positive.
One Quality
One quality I value in a leader is communication. I’d like to be part of a leading team who makes connections and communicates with campers. My favorite part of SWC is the bonds I made with my fellow campers and leaders, and bonds are build around trust and communication. I believe it’s very important to make positive connections through communication.
Cabin Atmosphere
I aim to create a relaxed, friendly atmosphere, less geared towards competition, though I’m always up for friendly cabin war competition! I’m open to co-leading with a more competitive atmosphere. (196 characters)
Checkboxes
I will be available to help add points in the main cabin consistently throughout camp
I’m willing to share a promotional project for SWC.
I can complete all leadership responsibilities listed in the FAQ.
In case of inactive leadership, I would alert my team, campers, and hosties and give a reason for it. I’ll see if I can still do some basic tasks, and if needed, I would help find a new co-leader.
Thanks for reading <3
- moosywoosy
-
Scratcher
100+ posts
swc megathread ⌘ july '24
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ About Me ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
Hello! I’m not comfortable sharing my real name online for obvious reasons, but I go by Mildred online! I use she/they pronouns. I am in the Eastern Standard Timezone, a bit about myself, I love anime, specifically Detective Conan. Most of my time is spent watching a good episode of whatever I feel like watching, looking into a good book, working on some drawings, or making an animation! I also love writing, but that should’ve been pretty obvious considering that I’m making a leader app for Scratch Writing Camp!
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ Previous Participation ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
I have only participated in SWC once, which was last session, July 24, as a camper in the gothic cabin! I honestly have unfortunately not had many opportunities to be a leader, or at least of what experiences I can think of off of the top of my head but, hey! There’s always gotta be a first for everyone, right? I am looking for more leadership opportunities and would be glad to make leading a cabin in SWC as my first.
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ Cabin Preferences ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
Preferably a genre more centered towards fiction novels, this is just because I prefer the aesthetics of these types of cabins better. This means I wouldn’t like a cabin like Non-fi, Lyric, Short Story, Script, or Poetry. I don’t really have a specific cabin in mind, I’m open to being a lead in a good amount of the cabins.
I’d prefer not to lead TCTWNW since the competitive aspect of SWC is my favorite, and since I’ll be mostly available during November, it sort of just feels like a waste to be in TCTWNW if you get what I mean, so I don’t really think leading TCTWNW is really my thing.
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ Excerpt ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
Edweiss stared at the delicate card laid on her hands, then back up to the home in front of her. Double checking the address, it was the right home, the letters on the card were as clear as day.
Edweiss considered herself to be a smart, rational person. But she was, and she knew she was breaking the number one- okay maybe not number one but still pretty high up there rule. Never go to an unknown address, it was common knowledge that any child over the age of 6 probably knew, yet for some reason Edweiss decided it was a good idea to go to this address.
She shook her head, and alongside it shook away her worries. She blinked and looked up, she walked towards the front door. It was a tall white door, it cast a faint shadow.
Edweiss reached out her gloved hand to the golden doorknob and let herself in, she stepped in and the door closed behind her, all by itself…
She snapped her head back before sighing and looking down, it must’ve been a gust of wind or something. Do people in their twenties start the whole ‘losing their mind’ thing?
Edweiss turned her back and continued down the hall.
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ Time Dedication ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
I’m expecting to be able to spend a pretty good amount of time on SWC, maybe 30 or so minutes. This is because the only thing that I’ll be busy with is the thing we all know and love, the thing we know as ‘school’. Other than that, I should be mostly available during the month of November. Of course, there can always be an instance of an unexpected event occurring whether it be something to do with family or a power issue, but I will try my best to have as much time as I can for SWC, of course not overworking myself!
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ Time Management ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
Some skills I have when it comes to time management is that I can get things done pretty quickly! I am capable of getting things done quickly, and yet it still feels as if I had put a lot of effort into that even if it had been done fairly quickly. Of course, there are still times where I take a while to finish something, but I do consider myself a pretty fast worker compared to other people I know.
A shortcoming is something I’m sure we’ve all dealt with, procrastination. I sometimes feel no motivation to do something and push that to the very last minute, and even though I can get things done fast, I still can just go over the deadline. Speaking of deadlines, there are often times I straight up forget deadlines, which causes me to finish things late.
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ Collaboration and Assets ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
I think I am a very creative person, being able to bring new ideas and such to the table, I can also learn quickly and process other people’s ideas and work to give criticism where needed and apply them in whatever way needed. I’m hoping that I will be able to apply these skills more than I already do in my life, and this can be an opportunity, regardless of if I become a (co)leader or not.
However, everyone has their weaknesses. I’m a bit of an introvert so I may find it hard to communicate with others. I also sometimes can’t put things into words, so I may not know how to put my ideas together, and won’t be able to share them. I also can’t really think well under pressure, and with a deadline it might be hard for me to think of an idea and then share it to a group of people. However, I do wish to overcome these shortcomings, and being a part of a team can be a good step in the right direction
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ One Quality ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
A quality I value in a leader is open-mindedness. One of the most frustrating things on a team is when someone is stuck to their idea, refusing for any other idea to be used, essentially thinking that what their idea was the “right” idea, no elaboration on why, it’s just because they want to be right and refuse to see things other than their way. It can be extremely frustrating for people if someone is like this, especially for someone like a leader. I want to show this trait at all times when communicating with others, always considering the ideas of other people and explaining my reasoning if I choose to reject the idea, I want to remember that I am not the only person that exists, other people have ideas that are just as amazing, if not more than my own. I never want to stick to one idea and always stay open to new ones.
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ Cabin Atmosphere ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
While my favorite part of SWC is the competition, I understand that it isn’t for others. I really want to make a sort of equilibrium with competition but also motivation for casual writing. I’ll often encourage people to do weeklies and dailies but also give reminders that we’re just here for fun and that they can focus on their own personal writing, and that still helps with points! I also want to push out the story of the cabin the most since it really makes a session more immersive and fun! But I really don’t want to lean towards any specific aspect of SWC and give people free reign of what they want to spend their time in the session doing!
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ Checklist ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
✓ I will be available to help and add points in the main cabin consistently throughout camp
✓ I am willing to share a promotional project for SWC.
I believe I should be capable of completing all tasks that come with leadership in the FAQ. I will inform others if there is ever an instance in which I become incapable of doing so.
In an instance where another leader or myself becomes inactive I will communicate as best as I can with others, depending on the situation I will either deal with the leader’s responsibilities myself or handle them with the help of others.
1271 words.
Hello! I’m not comfortable sharing my real name online for obvious reasons, but I go by Mildred online! I use she/they pronouns. I am in the Eastern Standard Timezone, a bit about myself, I love anime, specifically Detective Conan. Most of my time is spent watching a good episode of whatever I feel like watching, looking into a good book, working on some drawings, or making an animation! I also love writing, but that should’ve been pretty obvious considering that I’m making a leader app for Scratch Writing Camp!
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ Previous Participation ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
I have only participated in SWC once, which was last session, July 24, as a camper in the gothic cabin! I honestly have unfortunately not had many opportunities to be a leader, or at least of what experiences I can think of off of the top of my head but, hey! There’s always gotta be a first for everyone, right? I am looking for more leadership opportunities and would be glad to make leading a cabin in SWC as my first.
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ Cabin Preferences ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
Preferably a genre more centered towards fiction novels, this is just because I prefer the aesthetics of these types of cabins better. This means I wouldn’t like a cabin like Non-fi, Lyric, Short Story, Script, or Poetry. I don’t really have a specific cabin in mind, I’m open to being a lead in a good amount of the cabins.
I’d prefer not to lead TCTWNW since the competitive aspect of SWC is my favorite, and since I’ll be mostly available during November, it sort of just feels like a waste to be in TCTWNW if you get what I mean, so I don’t really think leading TCTWNW is really my thing.
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ Excerpt ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
Edweiss stared at the delicate card laid on her hands, then back up to the home in front of her. Double checking the address, it was the right home, the letters on the card were as clear as day.
Edweiss considered herself to be a smart, rational person. But she was, and she knew she was breaking the number one- okay maybe not number one but still pretty high up there rule. Never go to an unknown address, it was common knowledge that any child over the age of 6 probably knew, yet for some reason Edweiss decided it was a good idea to go to this address.
She shook her head, and alongside it shook away her worries. She blinked and looked up, she walked towards the front door. It was a tall white door, it cast a faint shadow.
Edweiss reached out her gloved hand to the golden doorknob and let herself in, she stepped in and the door closed behind her, all by itself…
She snapped her head back before sighing and looking down, it must’ve been a gust of wind or something. Do people in their twenties start the whole ‘losing their mind’ thing?
Edweiss turned her back and continued down the hall.
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ Time Dedication ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
I’m expecting to be able to spend a pretty good amount of time on SWC, maybe 30 or so minutes. This is because the only thing that I’ll be busy with is the thing we all know and love, the thing we know as ‘school’. Other than that, I should be mostly available during the month of November. Of course, there can always be an instance of an unexpected event occurring whether it be something to do with family or a power issue, but I will try my best to have as much time as I can for SWC, of course not overworking myself!
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ Time Management ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
Some skills I have when it comes to time management is that I can get things done pretty quickly! I am capable of getting things done quickly, and yet it still feels as if I had put a lot of effort into that even if it had been done fairly quickly. Of course, there are still times where I take a while to finish something, but I do consider myself a pretty fast worker compared to other people I know.
A shortcoming is something I’m sure we’ve all dealt with, procrastination. I sometimes feel no motivation to do something and push that to the very last minute, and even though I can get things done fast, I still can just go over the deadline. Speaking of deadlines, there are often times I straight up forget deadlines, which causes me to finish things late.
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ Collaboration and Assets ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
I think I am a very creative person, being able to bring new ideas and such to the table, I can also learn quickly and process other people’s ideas and work to give criticism where needed and apply them in whatever way needed. I’m hoping that I will be able to apply these skills more than I already do in my life, and this can be an opportunity, regardless of if I become a (co)leader or not.
However, everyone has their weaknesses. I’m a bit of an introvert so I may find it hard to communicate with others. I also sometimes can’t put things into words, so I may not know how to put my ideas together, and won’t be able to share them. I also can’t really think well under pressure, and with a deadline it might be hard for me to think of an idea and then share it to a group of people. However, I do wish to overcome these shortcomings, and being a part of a team can be a good step in the right direction
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ One Quality ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
A quality I value in a leader is open-mindedness. One of the most frustrating things on a team is when someone is stuck to their idea, refusing for any other idea to be used, essentially thinking that what their idea was the “right” idea, no elaboration on why, it’s just because they want to be right and refuse to see things other than their way. It can be extremely frustrating for people if someone is like this, especially for someone like a leader. I want to show this trait at all times when communicating with others, always considering the ideas of other people and explaining my reasoning if I choose to reject the idea, I want to remember that I am not the only person that exists, other people have ideas that are just as amazing, if not more than my own. I never want to stick to one idea and always stay open to new ones.
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ Cabin Atmosphere ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
While my favorite part of SWC is the competition, I understand that it isn’t for others. I really want to make a sort of equilibrium with competition but also motivation for casual writing. I’ll often encourage people to do weeklies and dailies but also give reminders that we’re just here for fun and that they can focus on their own personal writing, and that still helps with points! I also want to push out the story of the cabin the most since it really makes a session more immersive and fun! But I really don’t want to lean towards any specific aspect of SWC and give people free reign of what they want to spend their time in the session doing!
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ Checklist ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
✓ I will be available to help and add points in the main cabin consistently throughout camp
✓ I am willing to share a promotional project for SWC.
I believe I should be capable of completing all tasks that come with leadership in the FAQ. I will inform others if there is ever an instance in which I become incapable of doing so.
In an instance where another leader or myself becomes inactive I will communicate as best as I can with others, depending on the situation I will either deal with the leader’s responsibilities myself or handle them with the help of others.
1271 words.
- iinspirqtion
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Scratcher
1000+ posts
swc megathread ⌘ july '24
Lyric Analysis - An SWC Leader App
(I'd recommend using the project if you are able to, as I worked really hard and wanted to share a lot of stuff I love in it that isn't in the text-based version, so go back there, unless you actually can't >:0 lot's of music it's really cool I swear)
Hi! I’m Em, my pronouns are she/her, and I’m in the EST timezone, where all we do is contemplate our life decisions and be chronically online (not me of course)! As you can see from my app theme this session, Lyric Analysis, music is such a large part of my life. It’s something that I’ve never gone a day without. Whether it’s listening to music on the radio, or playing the tunes myself and singing them in the shower, it’s something I can’t live without. Music is a way to bring different people together, similar to how SWC brings people from around the world with a passion to write together. Another similarity is that they’re both awesome!
I’m someone who loves Taylor Swift but is also into indie artists like BETWEEN FRIENDS, Madilyn Mei (as shown in the project), and Matt Maltese. Recently my taste and music have expanded, and there are many artists that I listen to now, so listing all of them would be a bore. I try to listen to music whenever I can when I’m working, when I’m reading, and in the car, I always try to squeeze in a bit of time to relax with music. It helps me take a break, forget about things I’m worrying about, and it helps me focus on whatever I’m going to do next.
I enjoy music so much, and I want to spread that joy to others, which is why I play both piano and saxophone. Although I do have fun experimenting on both instruments, my main goal with them is to be able to connect with others through music. One example of this is how most of my friends play an instrument too, and how we’re able to have fun and perform in Jazz Band, both sharing music and having a great time.
Though music is one of the most important things in my life, there are many things that I also love, like reading and writing. Unlike music, which only recently came into my life a few years ago, reading has been with me ever since I was in preschool. Whether it has been reading picture books, or ones with five hundred pages, I’ve loved most of the books I’ve read. Similar to writing, my favorite genres to read are mainly fiction, especially fantasy.
As for writing, I’ve been very into writing short stories, especially horror ones. After leading horror last session, I’ve started to enjoy horror games, horror stories, and just the idea of horror. Fear is such an interesting emotion that is often overlooked in most literature.
There are a plethora of things I love, and since it would be too much to describe them all, here are a few more hobbies I enjoy, gaming, drawing, tennis, and scratch.
Not only do hobbies define me, but so do the people around me, especially in SWC. Being more of an introvert in public places, I find it harder to communicate compared to others. I don’t know what to say, what to do, if I embarrass myself in front of others, what people will think of me, it all fades away when I go online.
It’s easier to make friends and talk to others, and through SWC I’ve made many friends that boosted my self-esteem and worth in some ways I don’t even know. SWC has made me happy and ultimately has become a part of me.
I have previously participated in SWC. Here is a list of my past cabins and roles:
Fairytales Trails - July 2022 - Camper
Dystopian Realm - November 2022 - Camper
Mystery the Secret Organization - March 2023 - Co-leader
Myth Cove - November 2023 - Co-leader
Tragedy: the Taking - March 2024 - Leader
Horror Simulation - July 2024 - Leader
My first time camping in Fairytales was very exciting and everything was all new to me, but I quickly got a hang of it, winning a Juniors in November. I then continued to become a co-leader in March in Mystery, though unfortunately becoming inactive at the end of the month due to burnout. I skipped the July session to take a break, unfortunately missing the mega session, and returned to co-lead Myth in November 2023. In my next two sessions, I led Tragedy and Horror. Both of those experiences have been so exciting for me, there’s just something different about being able to lead, the responsibility you have is always scary, but I have pulled through on both occasions, having a great time while at it!
Having 6 sessions of experience in SWC, I’m confident that I can perform the role of a (co)leader for this session.
Outside of SWC on Scratch, I have campered 7+ sessions in various camps, co-led 4+ times, led 5+ times, and hosted JWC and SRC once.
I have won two Junior awards in SWC’s writing competition and have written for my school’s newspaper. As a Girl Scout, I have held many different leadership positions, such as hosting events for younger scouts.
Here is a list of my preferred cabins, from most preferred to least preferred with some ideas I have for each:
Bangsian Fields - The campers are ghosts in Bangsian Fields, a place between Earth and death. Each camper gets to create their own backstory about their ghost and how they died (scratch-appropriate ofc). Along with the campers are many other ghosts. The reason for Bangsian fields is for any ghosts that have unfinished business to decide if they need to go back to Earth as ghosts, or if they can peacefully pass away, awaiting what lies beyond. Each ghost needs to decide the right thing, as the wrong thing can lead to terrible consequences for the universe. The campers are special ghosts employed by the leaders (Corporation of Supernatural Law Enforcement) who must help ghosts figure out what they should do. The other ghosts will be volunteers, and once the campers help a certain number of people, they must decide themselves what to do with their life (according to their backstory), this cabin is not fully fleshed out but likely will be very storyline-focused!
Thriller Pawnshop -
Campers are interns at a mysterious pawnshop where they will be selling and purchasing items from shady customers. They’ve never seen the owners (the leaders), and often wonder who they are. As they advance through the month, campers realize that there is something shady going on in the pawnshop, and in the end, they must uncover the mystery before it’s too late.
Fantasy -
Probably going to need three co-leaders for this <33 Harry Potter themed after the beloved series, each co-leader is going to be in one house, and we as co-leaders will devise a story similar to the Harry Potter series, with an unknown villain, and unexpected magical dilemmas happening around each corner. The camper’s goal is to try and survive their first year at the school, and hope for their house to win the House Cup for the year using a currency called points! Mainly pretty competitive with a small focus on the theme of the cabin.
Noir -
It’s the 1950s and there’s a crime to be solved. It’s a case of stolen money from another of your company’s cases, and it seems to be an inside job in your company. It’s up to you to figure out who it is, out of the three prime suspects (the (co)leaders) using many different tools like radios, telephones, and black and white photos. Who knows, you might find a message hidden in a hollowed out coin! A very emphasized theme on how it is about seventy years ago.
Hi-fi Heist -
The campers are part of a traveling group of burglars who currently are aiming to steal from the biggest bank in the world. The beginning of camp would be to prepare for the heist, get tools, and form a plan, and then they would roleplay it out.
I would prefer not to lead the Cabin That Will Not Win as this session I’m hoping to compete again and would want to be in a competitive environment.
July 2024 Writing Comp Entry <3
Looking back at my previous two leadership sessions, I can confidently decide how much time I can dedicate. The main issue that will prevent me from dedicating specific hours to SWC is being on the junior varsity tennis team at my school. I have practice for two hours after every school day, but I’ll still be able to work on SWC once I get home and finish any work I must do from school. Along with that, I have Study Hall and from experience last year, I was able to plan for SWC during those times. If I had to give a specific amount of time, I’d be able to dedicate at least an hour a day on weekdays and two hours on weekends. Of course, there will be varying times depending on events that I might need to attend, or if any issues arise, but I will inform the hosts if these events impede my time that I will need to be a leader so greatly that I won’t be able to be one.
Time management has always been important to me, it always shows up in what I do, and I’ve learned how to grow, improve, and have a healthy relationship with it.
Here’s a list of my strengths in time management:
I’ve always loved making schedules, devising them in my head has always been fun. As someone who enjoys efficiency to the point of it being the main thing I worry about, organization is one of my biggest strengths. I’ll always know how to fit things in so that nothing will be submitted past the deadline, or forgotten about as we all know that sometimes we’re distracted. I would use this skill in SWC to effectively finish all that needs to be done to create a cabin, and it would be of high quality, and as soon as possible.
Flexibility is something I’ve prided myself on, in fact when I was in third grade and my teacher asked each person to state a trait about themselves, I said flexibility. Things change in a workplace environment, whether in an office or SWC.. It’s inevitable, you’ve got to go with the flow. Having experienced many abrupt changes in my own life, I’ve found it easier to tackle unpredictability. I’ll always keep different alleys of ideas open, just in case one might not work, and I’m always open to different ideas overall.
Some weaknesses:
Sometimes I push myself towards unrealistic goals. I think that if I have to do something, why not make it even better? At first glance seems fine, and sometimes it is perfectly fine to want to do better, but the issue comes when I set goals or ideas in my mind that I have to achieve that are nearly impossible with the timeframe and materials given. As any good leader should, I’ve always wanted to give the best experience possible to my campers, but sometimes I don’t know when to stop. This not only may delay my work with my (co)leaders, but postpone activities that we were set to share with campers. To solve this, I must remind myself that though I hate to admit it, some things are impossible, and perfect is not always a thing. Being realistic would be the best fix, and I’m confident that I’ll be able to do just that when planning.
With so many distractions in our modern world, it’s hard not to look the other way when working. Though SWC is a huge passion of mine, I can also get bored easily when I’m doing the grunt work. Whether it’s just to play games or completely forget about what I was doing earlier, being distracted is still an issue, and will cause problems sometimes whether I like it or not. My solution is to try my best to learn how to focus and set goals for myself. For example, if I finish this one project or work on something for thirty minutes, I get a five-minute break where I can do whatever I want.
Collaboration is key and vital to allowing a team to run smoothly and competently, and I hate to say it, but it’s another field where you can have strengths, and places you mess up.
Starting with strengths, I’m very open to people’s ideas. It’s easy for me to think of something to do with a cabin, but I’ve always been a bit hesitant about developing this plan by myself, needing the approval of others before I’d be able to continue. This can be seen as both a strength and a weakness, but in the case of being on a team, is very important and beneficial.
Next, I’ve always seen myself as a natural leader, someone who’d rather create my group, even if it’s only me and myself for life rather than flock to a group of people I don’t like, just for the security of it. I can very easily take charge of a team and figure out what everyone needs to do, always taking responsibility for work, and communicating with my other team members. Strong leaders are people I admire, and I aim to be similar to them when I work too.
Going on to weaknesses, I’ve always found it hard to trust people I don’t know, and when you’re on the internet, that’s everyone. When I was a leader in the past two sessions, I have to admit I had thoughts about whether or not my co-leaders would achieve my standards, worried that it might not work out. This makes me less confident in their abilities, usually taking away work from them and putting it on me, even if I might even have enough time for it, I’d rather do that than give work to people I don’t trust. That’s why I’ve made it my mission to get to know the people I’m leading with, to understand them more, and to allow my mind to lower my mental defenses when I’m collaborating with them.
Some assets that I will be able to share with my team are my past experiences with leading, my dedication to being a leader, fulfilling the tasks required of me, my creativity in many fields, and graphic design.
The quality that I value most in a leader is responsibility. In the past two sessions that I have led, this is what I’ve tried to resonate throughout my time as a leader. I want to continue this tradition and do my best to do whatever it takes to take responsibility for whatever I do.
I value this trait so much because, without responsibility, a (co)leader would be a camper like everyone else, just a participant of SWC. What leaders do, and what is most important to SWC, is that they contribute to every session, which is what ultimately builds up SWC.
Last session I always did my best to add points in the main cabin, because if leaders didn’t, then SWC wouldn’t be able to show the leaderboard to everyone.
This session I will make sure I can fulfill all the requirements of a leader because sometimes though they are listed, some leaders still don’t do them, probably because they have irl issues, but this is a problem on their front, and of course, we can’t choose what people do themselves, but if I’m a leader, I promise that I will take responsibility as a leader, doing everything I need to do, and beyond, not forgetting a single responsibility.
Some responsibilities that I will perform are adding points, and words, choosing the best co-leaders suited for my cabin without bias, making a fun and interactive cabin for all to enjoy, staying consistently active throughout the whole session, and doing my best to help out people who need it!
Of course, since nothing is confirmed right now, my cabin atmosphere is still a draft and will change if necessary, but here’s what I’ve been thinking:
A cabin mainly focused on making friends and getting to know each other with the help of a storyline very important to the cabin. Competitiveness is encouraged greatly, but not required.
(186 characters)
B. There are no leadership responsibilities that I am not able to fulfill in this session.
C. In case of inactive leadership from anyone in the SWC leadership team, including me, I will try my best to ensure everything runs smoothly. No matter who it is, I’ll try my best to see if there’s anything I can do to help, and if it is necessary, I will inform the hosts and tell them if I am unable to take over their work, or if I can. If it is me myself that on the off chance that goes inactive, I will, again inform not only my hosts but my co-leaders, making sure that I can try and finish anything that I was supposed to do before I leave, and asking the hosts if the cabin would need another co-leader. Right before leaving, I’ll ask if they need anything, and I’ll do it if I can.
2918 total words
(I'd recommend using the project if you are able to, as I worked really hard and wanted to share a lot of stuff I love in it that isn't in the text-based version, so go back there, unless you actually can't >:0 lot's of music it's really cool I swear)
♬ About Me ♬
Hi! I’m Em, my pronouns are she/her, and I’m in the EST timezone, where all we do is contemplate our life decisions and be chronically online (not me of course)! As you can see from my app theme this session, Lyric Analysis, music is such a large part of my life. It’s something that I’ve never gone a day without. Whether it’s listening to music on the radio, or playing the tunes myself and singing them in the shower, it’s something I can’t live without. Music is a way to bring different people together, similar to how SWC brings people from around the world with a passion to write together. Another similarity is that they’re both awesome!
I’m someone who loves Taylor Swift but is also into indie artists like BETWEEN FRIENDS, Madilyn Mei (as shown in the project), and Matt Maltese. Recently my taste and music have expanded, and there are many artists that I listen to now, so listing all of them would be a bore. I try to listen to music whenever I can when I’m working, when I’m reading, and in the car, I always try to squeeze in a bit of time to relax with music. It helps me take a break, forget about things I’m worrying about, and it helps me focus on whatever I’m going to do next.
I enjoy music so much, and I want to spread that joy to others, which is why I play both piano and saxophone. Although I do have fun experimenting on both instruments, my main goal with them is to be able to connect with others through music. One example of this is how most of my friends play an instrument too, and how we’re able to have fun and perform in Jazz Band, both sharing music and having a great time.
Though music is one of the most important things in my life, there are many things that I also love, like reading and writing. Unlike music, which only recently came into my life a few years ago, reading has been with me ever since I was in preschool. Whether it has been reading picture books, or ones with five hundred pages, I’ve loved most of the books I’ve read. Similar to writing, my favorite genres to read are mainly fiction, especially fantasy.
As for writing, I’ve been very into writing short stories, especially horror ones. After leading horror last session, I’ve started to enjoy horror games, horror stories, and just the idea of horror. Fear is such an interesting emotion that is often overlooked in most literature.
There are a plethora of things I love, and since it would be too much to describe them all, here are a few more hobbies I enjoy, gaming, drawing, tennis, and scratch.
Not only do hobbies define me, but so do the people around me, especially in SWC. Being more of an introvert in public places, I find it harder to communicate compared to others. I don’t know what to say, what to do, if I embarrass myself in front of others, what people will think of me, it all fades away when I go online.
It’s easier to make friends and talk to others, and through SWC I’ve made many friends that boosted my self-esteem and worth in some ways I don’t even know. SWC has made me happy and ultimately has become a part of me.
♬ Previous Participation ♬
I have previously participated in SWC. Here is a list of my past cabins and roles:
Fairytales Trails - July 2022 - Camper
Dystopian Realm - November 2022 - Camper
Mystery the Secret Organization - March 2023 - Co-leader
Myth Cove - November 2023 - Co-leader
Tragedy: the Taking - March 2024 - Leader
Horror Simulation - July 2024 - Leader
My first time camping in Fairytales was very exciting and everything was all new to me, but I quickly got a hang of it, winning a Juniors in November. I then continued to become a co-leader in March in Mystery, though unfortunately becoming inactive at the end of the month due to burnout. I skipped the July session to take a break, unfortunately missing the mega session, and returned to co-lead Myth in November 2023. In my next two sessions, I led Tragedy and Horror. Both of those experiences have been so exciting for me, there’s just something different about being able to lead, the responsibility you have is always scary, but I have pulled through on both occasions, having a great time while at it!
Having 6 sessions of experience in SWC, I’m confident that I can perform the role of a (co)leader for this session.
Outside of SWC on Scratch, I have campered 7+ sessions in various camps, co-led 4+ times, led 5+ times, and hosted JWC and SRC once.
I have won two Junior awards in SWC’s writing competition and have written for my school’s newspaper. As a Girl Scout, I have held many different leadership positions, such as hosting events for younger scouts.
♬ Cabin Preferences ♬My least preferred cabins would be cabins I have previously participated in: Fairy Tales, Dystopian, Mystery, Myth, Tragedy, and Horror, along with cabins I don’t have any ideas for: Contemporary, Illu-fi, Lit-fi, Short Story, and Classics.
Here is a list of my preferred cabins, from most preferred to least preferred with some ideas I have for each:
Bangsian Fields - The campers are ghosts in Bangsian Fields, a place between Earth and death. Each camper gets to create their own backstory about their ghost and how they died (scratch-appropriate ofc). Along with the campers are many other ghosts. The reason for Bangsian fields is for any ghosts that have unfinished business to decide if they need to go back to Earth as ghosts, or if they can peacefully pass away, awaiting what lies beyond. Each ghost needs to decide the right thing, as the wrong thing can lead to terrible consequences for the universe. The campers are special ghosts employed by the leaders (Corporation of Supernatural Law Enforcement) who must help ghosts figure out what they should do. The other ghosts will be volunteers, and once the campers help a certain number of people, they must decide themselves what to do with their life (according to their backstory), this cabin is not fully fleshed out but likely will be very storyline-focused!
Thriller Pawnshop -
Campers are interns at a mysterious pawnshop where they will be selling and purchasing items from shady customers. They’ve never seen the owners (the leaders), and often wonder who they are. As they advance through the month, campers realize that there is something shady going on in the pawnshop, and in the end, they must uncover the mystery before it’s too late.
Fantasy -
Probably going to need three co-leaders for this <33 Harry Potter themed after the beloved series, each co-leader is going to be in one house, and we as co-leaders will devise a story similar to the Harry Potter series, with an unknown villain, and unexpected magical dilemmas happening around each corner. The camper’s goal is to try and survive their first year at the school, and hope for their house to win the House Cup for the year using a currency called points! Mainly pretty competitive with a small focus on the theme of the cabin.
Noir -
It’s the 1950s and there’s a crime to be solved. It’s a case of stolen money from another of your company’s cases, and it seems to be an inside job in your company. It’s up to you to figure out who it is, out of the three prime suspects (the (co)leaders) using many different tools like radios, telephones, and black and white photos. Who knows, you might find a message hidden in a hollowed out coin! A very emphasized theme on how it is about seventy years ago.
Hi-fi Heist -
The campers are part of a traveling group of burglars who currently are aiming to steal from the biggest bank in the world. The beginning of camp would be to prepare for the heist, get tools, and form a plan, and then they would roleplay it out.
I would prefer not to lead the Cabin That Will Not Win as this session I’m hoping to compete again and would want to be in a competitive environment.
♬ Excerpt ♬
July 2024 Writing Comp Entry <3
♬ Time Dedication ♬
Looking back at my previous two leadership sessions, I can confidently decide how much time I can dedicate. The main issue that will prevent me from dedicating specific hours to SWC is being on the junior varsity tennis team at my school. I have practice for two hours after every school day, but I’ll still be able to work on SWC once I get home and finish any work I must do from school. Along with that, I have Study Hall and from experience last year, I was able to plan for SWC during those times. If I had to give a specific amount of time, I’d be able to dedicate at least an hour a day on weekdays and two hours on weekends. Of course, there will be varying times depending on events that I might need to attend, or if any issues arise, but I will inform the hosts if these events impede my time that I will need to be a leader so greatly that I won’t be able to be one.
♬ Time Management ♬
Time management has always been important to me, it always shows up in what I do, and I’ve learned how to grow, improve, and have a healthy relationship with it.
Here’s a list of my strengths in time management:
I’ve always loved making schedules, devising them in my head has always been fun. As someone who enjoys efficiency to the point of it being the main thing I worry about, organization is one of my biggest strengths. I’ll always know how to fit things in so that nothing will be submitted past the deadline, or forgotten about as we all know that sometimes we’re distracted. I would use this skill in SWC to effectively finish all that needs to be done to create a cabin, and it would be of high quality, and as soon as possible.
Flexibility is something I’ve prided myself on, in fact when I was in third grade and my teacher asked each person to state a trait about themselves, I said flexibility. Things change in a workplace environment, whether in an office or SWC.. It’s inevitable, you’ve got to go with the flow. Having experienced many abrupt changes in my own life, I’ve found it easier to tackle unpredictability. I’ll always keep different alleys of ideas open, just in case one might not work, and I’m always open to different ideas overall.
Some weaknesses:
Sometimes I push myself towards unrealistic goals. I think that if I have to do something, why not make it even better? At first glance seems fine, and sometimes it is perfectly fine to want to do better, but the issue comes when I set goals or ideas in my mind that I have to achieve that are nearly impossible with the timeframe and materials given. As any good leader should, I’ve always wanted to give the best experience possible to my campers, but sometimes I don’t know when to stop. This not only may delay my work with my (co)leaders, but postpone activities that we were set to share with campers. To solve this, I must remind myself that though I hate to admit it, some things are impossible, and perfect is not always a thing. Being realistic would be the best fix, and I’m confident that I’ll be able to do just that when planning.
With so many distractions in our modern world, it’s hard not to look the other way when working. Though SWC is a huge passion of mine, I can also get bored easily when I’m doing the grunt work. Whether it’s just to play games or completely forget about what I was doing earlier, being distracted is still an issue, and will cause problems sometimes whether I like it or not. My solution is to try my best to learn how to focus and set goals for myself. For example, if I finish this one project or work on something for thirty minutes, I get a five-minute break where I can do whatever I want.
♬ Collaboration and Assets ♬
Collaboration is key and vital to allowing a team to run smoothly and competently, and I hate to say it, but it’s another field where you can have strengths, and places you mess up.
Starting with strengths, I’m very open to people’s ideas. It’s easy for me to think of something to do with a cabin, but I’ve always been a bit hesitant about developing this plan by myself, needing the approval of others before I’d be able to continue. This can be seen as both a strength and a weakness, but in the case of being on a team, is very important and beneficial.
Next, I’ve always seen myself as a natural leader, someone who’d rather create my group, even if it’s only me and myself for life rather than flock to a group of people I don’t like, just for the security of it. I can very easily take charge of a team and figure out what everyone needs to do, always taking responsibility for work, and communicating with my other team members. Strong leaders are people I admire, and I aim to be similar to them when I work too.
Going on to weaknesses, I’ve always found it hard to trust people I don’t know, and when you’re on the internet, that’s everyone. When I was a leader in the past two sessions, I have to admit I had thoughts about whether or not my co-leaders would achieve my standards, worried that it might not work out. This makes me less confident in their abilities, usually taking away work from them and putting it on me, even if I might even have enough time for it, I’d rather do that than give work to people I don’t trust. That’s why I’ve made it my mission to get to know the people I’m leading with, to understand them more, and to allow my mind to lower my mental defenses when I’m collaborating with them.
Some assets that I will be able to share with my team are my past experiences with leading, my dedication to being a leader, fulfilling the tasks required of me, my creativity in many fields, and graphic design.
♬ One Quality ♬
The quality that I value most in a leader is responsibility. In the past two sessions that I have led, this is what I’ve tried to resonate throughout my time as a leader. I want to continue this tradition and do my best to do whatever it takes to take responsibility for whatever I do.
I value this trait so much because, without responsibility, a (co)leader would be a camper like everyone else, just a participant of SWC. What leaders do, and what is most important to SWC, is that they contribute to every session, which is what ultimately builds up SWC.
Last session I always did my best to add points in the main cabin, because if leaders didn’t, then SWC wouldn’t be able to show the leaderboard to everyone.
This session I will make sure I can fulfill all the requirements of a leader because sometimes though they are listed, some leaders still don’t do them, probably because they have irl issues, but this is a problem on their front, and of course, we can’t choose what people do themselves, but if I’m a leader, I promise that I will take responsibility as a leader, doing everything I need to do, and beyond, not forgetting a single responsibility.
Some responsibilities that I will perform are adding points, and words, choosing the best co-leaders suited for my cabin without bias, making a fun and interactive cabin for all to enjoy, staying consistently active throughout the whole session, and doing my best to help out people who need it!
♬ Cabin Atmosphere ♬
Of course, since nothing is confirmed right now, my cabin atmosphere is still a draft and will change if necessary, but here’s what I’ve been thinking:
A cabin mainly focused on making friends and getting to know each other with the help of a storyline very important to the cabin. Competitiveness is encouraged greatly, but not required.
(186 characters)
♬ Checkboxes + ♬Checkboxes - (Checked both)
B. There are no leadership responsibilities that I am not able to fulfill in this session.
C. In case of inactive leadership from anyone in the SWC leadership team, including me, I will try my best to ensure everything runs smoothly. No matter who it is, I’ll try my best to see if there’s anything I can do to help, and if it is necessary, I will inform the hosts and tell them if I am unable to take over their work, or if I can. If it is me myself that on the off chance that goes inactive, I will, again inform not only my hosts but my co-leaders, making sure that I can try and finish anything that I was supposed to do before I leave, and asking the hosts if the cabin would need another co-leader. Right before leaving, I’ll ask if they need anything, and I’ll do it if I can.
2918 total words
- booklover883322
-
Scratcher
500+ posts
swc megathread ⌘ july '24
My Playlist - Bookie's Leader Application
Word count: 1644, not counting excerpt
Tell Us About Yourself!
Hey there and welcome! My nickname’s Bookie! I’m a huge fan of all things writing and SWC and I live in the MST timezone (super underrated by the way-)! I’m a high schooler who’s also taking some dual credit classes at a couple of colleges! I’ve been homeschooled all my life till now, and for that, I am so grateful. I’m a bit of a social butterfly- Just a bit- Outside of writing, I enjoy drawing art of my characters, participating in Speech and Debate, teaching others about politics, and serving the younger kids in my church! I love being able to strengthen my faith in an amazing group of believers. Jesus the Lord of my life and I think that my faith has improved my character quite a lot!
I am very fond of baking and cooking as well, and I’m also getting into crafts like embroidery and crocheting! I’m still a beginner, but I’ve enjoyed learning more as I’ve made treats like brown sugar boba, cowboy cookies, mochi, and other things like that! It’s all so fun, and I’m glad that I’m learning how to make things for myself!
I’m genuinely so excited to share what I have to say, so buckle up!
Have you previously participated in SWC? (If so, in what roles? In either case, what experience do you have with writing and/or leadership positions on and off scratch)
I have! My first session was in March 2020, and while I haven’t participated in EVERY session after that, I have participated in quite a few afterward. I’ve been a camper every time aside from November ‘22 and March ‘24, where I was a co-leader of the fanfiction cabin (both times haha-). I have not participated in other scratch camps, just SWC!
In terms of my experience with writing, I’ve been writing for as long as I’ve been able. Creative writing is something I have loved for such a long time, and I honestly have no idea when my passion first came to be. Dreams were my main inspiration for such a long time, and my overactive imagination has been working nonstop since… well, what feels like forever ago.
I’ve written many speeches for speech and debate that have gotten me high places in various tournaments as well, so my non-fiction writing is also something I’ve strengthened. My leadership experience ranges vastly from both small positions and big ones. I’ve been on a student council at a previous church, staffed a Christian political literacy class, and taken vocal and important roles in classes (where appropriate). These are just a few examples that I find to be most relevant. The political literacy class also provided staff training that I attended that prepared me for the role well, and those skills can easily transfer into other areas of my life. I had to go through an application process somewhat similar to this one (although a lot less fun-), and I think that I had a positive effect on those around me as I worked. I was called back to staff again this year, so I’m excited to see where that will lead me!
Which cabins would you prefer to lead?
I don’t mind which cabins I lead. I’d be satisfied with whatever cabin I get! However, here are a few suggestions for genres that I’d be a bit more inclined to lead.
Mythology
Fanfiction
Horror
Historical Fiction
These would all be really cool cabins that I’d like to see this next session! Most of them are SWC staples, as well as just being full of possibilities! If I /had/ to pick, it’d be one of these cabins for sure!
I have specific ideas for each of these cabins that I’d love to elaborate on! But, to give a summary, Mythology would be based on Norse deities and such, and would heavily tie into the theme of the nine realms specifically. Fanfiction would be a cabin where everyone runs their own ‘fan-blog’, which would heavily focus on group projects and interaction with other’s work. Horror would be set in an upside-down version of our world, where campers would have to navigate the mirror world and find a way out. Historical Fiction would be based around time travelers, where each week they’d travel to a new time period!
I’m okay with leading TCTWNW, although it wouldn’t be my first choice. I’m naturally a very competitive person, so do with that information what you will!
Writing Excerpt
!!!TW!! Please be aware of the themes of loss and grief present in this passage, as well as undertones of emotional abvse. If you aren’t in the right headspace to read about this, please click away! <3
“Hey!”
I looked up, tears sliding down my cheeks as I hid in the cold shadow behind the school. Standing above me, I saw the giant glass pitcher smirk.
“Come on, show me what you can do!”
I hissed a small reply at them, “Go away.”
They clearly didn't like being told that, but before they could act on that anger, one of my classmates shooed them away, yelling various silly threats at them till they ended up running off.
“Run faster or I’ll glue you to a wall!” She shouted after them, grinning in satisfaction as they left.
She turned around to look at me. She was dressed in overalls with paint splattered all over her. Her hair was brown, curly, and up in two little buns that bounced whenever she moved. She held out her hand in compassion, “Hey, I’m sorry that they were being so mean to you.”
I cleared my throat, “It’s- um, fine. Thank you? I think? Also, what did you mean by ‘gluing them to a wall’?”
She gave me a warm smile, revealing pink braces, “I was just saying some weird stuff. My name’s Gali, what’s yours?”
“John,” I muttered, “I don’t really like my name though…”
She tilted her head, “Why?”
I shrugged, “I dunno. It just doesn't feel right.”
She copied my movement, letting her hand fall, “Okay, works for me. Sorry that you don't like it.”
I shrugged yet again, “Thanks.”
She turned to walk away before stopping, “Hmm- do you want to come with me to the garden?”
I wanted to decline. She was just some random girl. But… her smile seemed genuine, and the warmth she radiated was oh-so-very inviting.
I sighed, getting up against my better judgment, “Sure.”
Gali squealed and dragged me over to the school’s garden. She excitedly showed me her patch, filled with buttercups. She picked one and split its stalk down the middle, before putting it around my neck and tying it in place.
She put her hands on her hips, “There we go! You look pretty nice with it!”
I looked down at the makeshift necklace, “Huh. This feels weird. Thanks…?”
She beamed.
She glanced around, “Which one’s yours?”
I searched for it for a second before spotting it. I walked her over to the patch.
“I think Ms. Kathy called these… Periwinkles?”
She oohed and aahed over the puny flowers. After a second, I grabbed one of them and made her a necklace similar to my own. After the third attempt to tie it around her neck, I finally got it.
Gali grinned, “Look! We’re matching!” She paused for a second to gaze at our necklaces. Her head snapped toward a sound.
“John! Gali! Inside!” Shouted our teacher, Ms. Kathy. We both followed her direction, running in together.
The bell rang and I sluggishly got out of my seat, reluctantly grabbing my backpack that was WAY too heavy for me at eight years old.
Gali spotted me and waved from across the room, giving me the biggest grin in the world. I smiled back at her.
We converged by the door and walked out together by coincidence.
I spotted my parents’ car out by the front and slogged over to them.
My mother spotted me and came to meet me.
“John, put your backpack into the trunk.” She instructed gruffly. I nodded sheepishly and toddled over to the trunk, tossing the backpack inside and closing it.
I went inside the car, watching my mother go into the driver's seat. She started the car and we drove off in silence. I glanced at her eyes in the mirror and discreetly took off the buttercup necklace when she wasn't looking. I tucked it into my pocket and hoped she wouldn't take it away.
We arrived home, and as soon as we stepped out of the car, my mother stuck out her hand, “Give me the flower.”
I dejectedly handed it to her.
She took it and stuck the flower into her purse. It was crumpled up at this point, looking sad and dejected.
I related to the poor flower.
We walked inside and I hung my backpack up by the door.
“You didn't break character did you?” She questioned.
I shook my head.
“Good. Nobody needs to know about your… interesting ability. Okay?”
I nodded, walking into my room. I slid the door shut. I flopped onto my bed and lost the shape of the random boy I had chosen as my ‘character’. I rotated my head to stare at the mirror right next to me. Now I could see my shape constantly changing. Exploding, contracting, and molding into different people in the world. Whenever I held character, I was constricting myself to be just one person, and that both annoyed and drained me. I threw a blanket over my body, not wanting to look at myself anymore.
I needed a nap.
I arrived at school the next day, and as soon as my mother drove off, Gali rushed up to me. “Do you still have your necklace?? Do you still have your necklace?”
I made a face, shaking my head.
“Aww, why not??” She pouted.
“My mom took it.” I replied.
“Weirddd. That’s okay! We’ll just get you another one!”
I grinned. “Ooh, okay! Thanks!”
We were pretty much best friends from that day on.
Time passed.
Gali and I strolled down the street.
“Can you BELIEVE that my professor talked about mangoes for a solid thirty minutes?”
I shook my head.
Gali licked her ice cream which was dripping all over her hands, mumbling something or other about her college campus. I listened intently.
“Professoor- uh, Daniels, I think his name was, led a tour of the campus so that we could see everything. There were a lot of buildings that were, like, HUGE.”
I raised an eyebrow, “Your professor led a tour?”
She stopped for a second to think, “Uhhh- wait, yeah, that’s not right.” She licked her ice cream, “Oh, right! It was his SONNN that was leading the tour. He was a junior, I think-”
“Nice.” I tossed my popsicle stick into a trash can by a skyscraper. I took a moment to glance at myself. I loved how I looked that day. My power was in full use, my body a slideshow of other people. Every person in existence flashed for a second before changing. My name was Quinn, not ‘John’, and I was so happy about it. This was who I was. A shape-shifter, an identity adopter. Not just one person, but many. I could be restricted no longer.
Gali kept walking and I caught up to her after a second. She continued to ramble on about college, complaining about how small her dorm was, gushing about her roommate, and singing the praises of the food in the cafeteria.
We walked past a stand selling flowers, and after a second, Gali stopped right in her tracks. She pulled out her wallet and bought two small flowers, both little periwinkles. She split the stalk and tied it around my neck, grinning.
I held still for her. “Thank you.”
She beamed, “No problem! Can you do mine?”
I nodded, repeating the process. “There we go.”
Gali grabbed my hand and started to drag me away. She spotted a coffee shop and demanded that we go over there.
I voiced my approval, and we moved over to the crosswalk.
We crossed the street once we were able. After a second of silence, I heard the frantic screeching of tires and I snapped my head toward the sound. There was no time to move, so that horrible sound was the last thing I remembered from that point.
I had no thoughts during that time, other than the same reverberating screeches from that car. Everything else was input from the outside. I always felt so… cold. Sometimes, I was gifted with sounds from the people around me.
“She’s being unresponsive to the treatments they’ve been giving her.”
“Don’t let their mother in, she doesn’t deserve to see them right now.”
“Her heart is struggling.”
“They’re recovering, but I’m not so sure about the girl.”
“A funeral will cost… so much.”
My eyes fluttered open and I glanced around the room. I struggled to sit up. What had happened?! I spotted Gali’s mother sitting in a chair beside me, shoulders covered in a huge blanket. I blinked, trying my best to move around toward this woman who had acted more like a mother to me than my own.
She smiled at me. Gosh, she looked so cold, so tired. “Hello Quinn.”
“Hi.”
“Did I wake you up? Sorry, I was on the phone.”
“No, I didn’t hear very much.”
“Oh, alright.”
I looked around the room, expecting to see something indicative of Gali’s condition, “Where’s Gali? Is she in another room?”
Her face darkened, “I… guess you could say that.”
I immediately became more alert, “What do you mean?”
“Well…” She sighed, “Dear, I’m not sure how to break this to you.”
That’s when I knew it was bad.
She fought back tears, looking so small and shriveled up in that chair. “Well, um, when you two were out, you crossed the street, I’m assuming. And… somebody wasn't paying attention, so they didn't stop. You were just rammed down and passed over, but Gali…” she stopped for a moment to collect herself, “…got caught in the wheel.”
I swallowed, mind spinning with images of what might’ve occurred. It was horrible.
I took a minute to register, curling up till my arms could hug my knees despite the pain. I shivered, trying to grasp any sort of warmth I could in that sterile, cold room, but I found none.
Gali was my only friend. Ever. And she was gone. Gone for good.
Years passed after that. There were a lot of scars I collected from that event, some that no surgery could fix. But, despite all that, I lived. Gali wasn’t so fortunate, passing on August 22nd. Ever since that crucial moment, life has been so different.
Healing came, though it was slow.
Today was August 22nd, and so I stopped by a flower shop and bought a bouquet of periwinkles, which I was honestly a bit surprised that they had in such quantity. They didn't have any buttercups, so they offered me Zinnias instead. I thanked the shopkeeper, strolling out afterward. Kybi, my boss, expected me back in two hours or so, so that was all the time I had.
I visited where she was laid to rest. It was sunny out, the wind making it a pleasant experience overall. The sun beat down on my skin, filling me from top to bottom with warmth. I found her plot and sat by the headstone. It seemed like her parents had already visited. Everything was clean, one of the vases to the side of the stone was filled with some flowers. I set my flowers in the other vase, taking one of each and splitting the stems. After tying the two pieces together for both, I set them on the stone.
I smiled, laying back and letting the sun heat me as I sat with my friend, whose warmth I’ll remember forever.
What amount of time do you expect to be able to dedicate to SWC? What plans do you have that could affect your activity?
Well, being a high schooler doing /both/ high school and college courses, I do have a lot on my plate! In November, I will be dealing with final exams, Thanksgiving, and other things of the sort. I don’t have any huge plans, and I think I can afford time to SWC every day, just not an exorbitant amount. I know what I need to get done, and SWC will take a bit of a backseat should more important things arise. I can confidently say that I can give at least thirty minutes to SWC.
In the days of planning prior to SWC, about the same applies, aside from the finals. There will be some days that are less active than others, but I’m sure that I can manage this responsibility well! I could probably handle the load of a co-leader better than a leader, but I could adjust for both.
What are your skills and shortcomings in time management?
Gosh, I both love and despise this question. I’d say that over the years, I’ve gotten much better at time management! Now that I have so many responsibilities, I need to make sure that they’re all done on time. I think I could fit SWC into my schedule no problem! I like using timers and alarms to keep myself on track. I’m also pretty speedy at certain tasks, which can allow me to take breaks! I know that I’m not perfect, but I’ve definitely improved! Though… Sometimes I can get distracted easily. Social media, like Scratch, can be a huge distraction. I’ve had to wrestle with these distractions a lot. While I can /claim/ that I’m all better, I wouldn’t exactly be too honest. It’s a process, one that I’m marginally improving in. But it’s always a struggle. I’m working through it, and that’s okay! I know that I can set boundaries with myself and work to the fullest of my abilities! I will never be perfect, but I’m trying, and I’m getting better! Some days are better than others though. I’m working with my parents, trying to find ways to limit distractions. All in all, I think it’s working pretty well!
What are your strengths and weaknesses in working with others? What assets would you bring to a leading team?
I have this /weird/ thing about me that I find to be quite strange- I both love sharing ideas, but I’m also so scared of sharing them. It’s weird, and it’s something I’m working on. I think that I’m capable of taking on background work well, but I’m not afraid to not be in the spotlight. I can also be good at analyzing work and giving useful feedback! I do this a /lot/ in different classes, as well as in speech and debate, and I’ve done a pretty good job at it! I’m good at checking on communications often (unless it’s my email apparently haha-), and making sure that I have all my tasks done and accounted for. Sometimes I can have a hard time making decisions, and I always feel like I need to have someone give input because I don’t want to impose on anyone. This can be good sometimes, but other times it just ends up with me freezing up. As for my assets… I think that I mainly offer busy background work and feedback! I’m also pretty supportive, so there’s that I guess? I also really enjoy using Canva, and I’ve gotten pretty good at graphic design using that! So if we needed to do some designs, I could help! I’m also trying to get better at art, which has been fun!
What one quality do you value most in a leader? How will you embody this trait as a leader?
One thing I value in a leader is integrity. I think it is VITAL that leaders stick to their values, fulfill their promises and responsibilities, as well as be transparent. I promise that I’ll embody this trait as a leader. Even if I’m not selected, I hold myself to these standards, especially in leadership positions. This quality is very important to me. If I don’t demonstrate integrity, then I should not be allowed to lead in any capacity. If I’m not demonstrating this, call me out! I will appreciate it in the long run!
What cabin atmosphere do you aim to create?
A supportive, uplifting atmosphere focused on friendly competition, team building, and personal growth, as well as a moderate emphasis on the story of the cabin. (161)
A: Check those that apply
(✓) I will be available to help add points in the main cabin consistently throughout camp.
(✓) I’m willing to share a promotional project for SWC.
B: Are there any responsibilities that you can’t complete?
No, I should be able to manage all the responsibilities listed in the FAQ.
C: In the case of inactive leadership, what steps will you take to ensure that the cabin can still move on smoothly?
I will take on tasks that are delegated to me with grace, as well as support the remaining active leaders in whatever way I can. I will also notify the necessary people of the inactivity, either my own or someone else’s.
Last edited by booklover883322 (Sept. 19, 2024 23:13:04)
- ChueyTheCat
-
Scratcher
100+ posts
swc megathread ⌘ july '24
critique for the wonderful amethyst!
please take everything with a grain of salt, as I write, well, like I write, and that may not be how you write. you may have chosen some words that I wouldn't choose, or used a phrase or sentence arrangement I wouldn't use, but that doesn't mean you wrote it wrong, it just means we're different lol.
anyways, to the critique!
In the beginning sentence, the words in parentheses disrupt the flow, as does the “and.” I'd rearrange the sentence something like this: “Hi! I'm Amethyst, a half-Japanese who's also (shockingly) an Aussie; I live in the AEST timezone.”
Next, the sentence “I also really, really want to go to Canada ;D” doesn't seem to fit with the rest of the paragraph–maybe try adding a transition in the form of another sentence talking about things you want to do or see to make it less of a shock to the reader.
Moving on!
This sentence arrangement may not be quite what you're looking for either, and honestly, there might not be a good solution. Poke it around a bit, but if it doesn't work, just leave it as is–it's not that big of a deal. (I probably only noticed cause I'm an weirdo who notices weird stuff LOL.)
Second, I'd recommend capitalizing “folklore” because it's the only one in the list of albums that's not. And that's really it for this section! Keep up the awesome work
Finally, I'd use words instead of numbers, as it looks nicer in writing (for example, “two” instead of “2”).
And that's about it for this critique! I haven't covered every single area for the sake of time, but I hope my advice helped. In summary, check your sentence structure to make sure it's easy to read and understand, format your lists in a way that makes it clear which are the points and which are the headings, and cut out any unnecessary rambling in your answers. You did an amazing job with this app–I'm rooting for you! Best of luck <3
please take everything with a grain of salt, as I write, well, like I write, and that may not be how you write. you may have chosen some words that I wouldn't choose, or used a phrase or sentence arrangement I wouldn't use, but that doesn't mean you wrote it wrong, it just means we're different lol.
anyways, to the critique!
Tell us about yourselfI love the humor and personality here! However, the way some of the sentences are arranged is a bit jarring, so let's see if we can fix that.
Hi! I’m Amethyst, a half-Japanese and (this is shocking) Aussie who lives in the AEST timezone. I go by she/her and am a swiftie, a Christian, a dog-lover and, of course, a writer. I’ve loved SWC ever since my great friend, Vc555, introduced it to me. I also really, really want to go to Canada ;D
In the beginning sentence, the words in parentheses disrupt the flow, as does the “and.” I'd rearrange the sentence something like this: “Hi! I'm Amethyst, a half-Japanese who's also (shockingly) an Aussie; I live in the AEST timezone.”
Next, the sentence “I also really, really want to go to Canada ;D” doesn't seem to fit with the rest of the paragraph–maybe try adding a transition in the form of another sentence talking about things you want to do or see to make it less of a shock to the reader.
Moving on!
I’ve been obsessed with Scratch for 6 years and have adored writing since my very first story 7 years ago. My favourite author is Lynette Noni, and I’ve read every single one of her books! I also love Jessica Townsend and Carol Wilkinson, but I might be biased towards them as they’re all Aussies *and* in my state – which is really rare! All of their writing styles have influenced the way I write significantly.Still looking good, there are just a few adjustments I'd suggest here. First, when talking about your favorite book series, you put a u in favorite :( /JJJJ (im kidding i know thats how yall spell it) something about the arrangement of the last two items on the list bothers me. I'd try something along these lines: “My favourite book series is either Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend, Dragonkeeper by Carol Wilkinson, or the Prison Healer and the Medoran Chronicles, both by Lynette Noni.”
My favourite book series is either Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend, Dragonkeeper by Carol Wilkinson, The Prison Healer or the Medoran Chronicles, both by Lynette Noni. I’m obsessed with Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Swift’s music – I’m a massive Evermore, Speak Now and folklore fan, and Sabrina’s first album is the best.
This sentence arrangement may not be quite what you're looking for either, and honestly, there might not be a good solution. Poke it around a bit, but if it doesn't work, just leave it as is–it's not that big of a deal. (I probably only noticed cause I'm an weirdo who notices weird stuff LOL.)
Second, I'd recommend capitalizing “folklore” because it's the only one in the list of albums that's not. And that's really it for this section! Keep up the awesome work
My favourite genres to write in are Fantasy and Adventure, which corresponds to what I enjoy reading. I’m also really into gaming – some of my favourite games include Minecraft and Sky: Children of the Light.(As a quick note here, I'd get rid of the “s” at the end of “corresponds”–it's not necessary for the sentence.)
Previous ParticipationThis list was bit difficult to read, as I initially thought you were saying you had co-led four times, not two. Maybe try separating the “Co-led twice in 2024” from the rest of the list to make it clear that the following points belong to it, instead of it being a point.
I believe I’ve been in 7 sessions so far – it’s hard to keep track as my SWC journey has spanned over many years and accounts!
Leading
- Co-led twice in 2024
- Fairy Tales in March (with Alana and Sienna <3)
- Poetry in July (with Coco and Fi!)
I had such amazing times both sessions with the most incredible leaders. This is my first session applying for leader, not just co-leader!I'm a bit confused as to what you mean by some of these points–make sure you use complete sentences! (That is, make sure that the points form complete sentences when combined with the sentence above.) Additionally, be sure that all of your points use the same tense.
Outside of SWC
- Hosted Scratch Music Camp once
- Co-hosted twice
- Led three times (including at the start of SMC)
Volunteering
- Panelist for writing competition in March 2024
- Member of memory book committee in March and July 2024
- Member of the POLAR BEARS/Daily Team in July 2024
- Leading weekly committee of POLAR BEARS this session
Awards
- Juniors Category in November 2023
- School’s Top Writer Award in 2022 (out of 160 in my grade)
Cabin Prefs
Below are examples of what my thought process and style for creating cabins are. I am by no means limited to the examples I give below – they’re just ideas for a few cabins! Regardless of what cabin I am potentially selected to (co)lead, I will make sure that it:
- Has an interactive storyline
- Benefits for;
- Contributing to cabin rankings
- Participating in SWC activities
- Consistent visible progress on storyline
I feel like part of your myth/folklore idea is missing–it mentions multiple countries and ends as though it means to elaborate on the storyline, but then moves on to the next idea. You also mentioned being over the word limit, so maybe instead of laying out such detailed summaries of potential storylines, you could condense them to a sentence or two that still captures the general vibe, but doesn't overwhelm or confuse readers.Fantasy
I’d create a magical cabin filled with fantastical elements. Campers would stumble across a cove of what was thought to be extinct dragons, all hiding from the dark forces sweeping across the island. Throughout the session, each camper would take care of a dragon by completing dailies, weeklies and other activities, tame them, nurse them back to health, and the session would ultimately conclude with the campers taking the dragons to defeat the evil on the continent – but they can only do this if enough dragons are at a certain health and bond.Myth/Folklore
Campers would travel across ancient times, through multiple cultures and countries. However, the myths, folklore or tales surrounding each culture would be taking place where the countries are. For example, in Greece, the Greek gods would be duking it out, and campers would have to ensure that the stories do not end badly by completing both point and non point activities. They would travel across the world to Japan and go help defeat the evil Oni with Issun Boshi.Dystopian
An underground labyrinth, hiding in plain sight from the artistocrats who sponsored the winning side of the war. The campers will be the less fortunate souls hiding from the tyrannical government who took over the continent. Most people hiding underground have given up and are hopeless about the future of the continent, but the campers will progress to do progressively more impactful activities to help those underground and grow a rebellion against the government. Whether they successfully defeat the government will depend on how many they recruited for their cause (which they can do by completing dailies/weeklies).
Below are cabins sorted into three lists- “I’d absolutely LOVE to lead this” (sounds amazing, let’s go) “I’d be OK with leading this, it seems fun” (why not) “I don’t want to lead these cabins” (i’m good, thanks)Your time dedication answer could be chopped down a bit–the last sentence isn't really necessary to the rest of the answer, and neither is “I set aside a lengthy amount of time for…(etc).”Sounds amazing, let’s go!!!!!!
Action
Adventure
Dystopian
Fairy Tales
Fanfiction (Fan-Fi)
Fantasy
Novel
Steampunk
Solarpunk
Thriller
TragedyWhy not :D
Historical Fiction (Hi-Fi)
Literary Fiction (Lit-Fi)
Mystery
Poem/Poetry
Romance
Science Fiction (Sci-Fi)
Script
Short Story
Folklore
MythologyI’m good, thanks </3
Bizarro Fiction (Bi-Fi)
Classics
Contemporary
Horror
Illustrated Fiction (Illu-Fi)
Lyric
Nonfiction (Non-Fi)
Realistic Fiction (Real-Fi)
Excerpt
formatting's messed up rn lol i'll fix it later
(for project- The excerpt can be found in the text version of this application.)
The captain’s quill scrawled across the yellowed parchment in the secret code he had made to his beloved. Hunger clawed at his stomach, but the ocean swayed him quietly, assuring all would be well.
Dearest Ari,
I hope home is in a better state. I haven’t heard anything that may suggest that our coastal town has been destroyed by Xirenia, and I do believe it would be remarkably stupid of them to set fire to their own territory. But you never know.
My crew wants to stop by Pavel, but I believe it’s too dangerous. Yes, it’s the heartland of all trade and riches, but it’s prone to pirate and Xirenia attacks. I do wish I had your wisdom, Ari, and look forward to meeting you soon. What do you believe is the right course of action?
Ink is running out– I best recap hastily.
We have spotted pirate flags in the distance, and that gods-forsaken country Xirenia. Of course, we must stay down and submitment. Please always remember that, dearest, or terrible things may happen to us and our family. We cannot allow our loyalty to our own country to override our loyalty to our family. Better safe and alive than loyal– and dead.
I will write to you when I get new shipments of ink and paper.
Jareth
➸
A woman held a small child gently as she received the coded message from their bird. The magpie sat on the perch, looking mildly proud of itself as the oldest child fed it a few fish. A small gasp escaped her lips, before she hurriedly wrote on the back of her husband’s letter.
Dear Jareth,
All is well in our town. Xirenia has recognised that our family is “loyal” to them, and we have escaped their wrath. Much of our friends have been executed, however, as they conspired against them. I regret to tell you that Ellsa, Marita and Novius’ families are no longer with us. However, I cannot bear to stay like this much longer. They murdered one of our children, Jareth. How could we possibly sit back and bow to the very kingdom who tore away a five-year old from this world?
Go by Pavel, I beg of you. We need food, quickly. Xerinia is choking the supplies to our town, so be careful when you return. Bring salt, meat and vegetables before our town starves to death. The provisions and limits placed upon us are hefty – although our family is on the good side of Xerinia, and try to stay that way for a little.
She hesitated, then plunged on with sharp words.
But not too much longer. We can’t sit back and let Xerinia run wild and ultimately kill us, and our pride. Chin up. Don’t be a coward. Trade as you wished to, fight against Xerinia should they be cruel to you, and come home.
Ari
➸
Ruffling his ginger hair worriedly, he glanced towards his second as the bird patiently waited on his shoulder. Inhaling the salty breeze, the rotting floorboards and sweat and grime deeply, he nodded, and reached for his quill.
Ari.
He paused for a second, the ink on his dot running into small rivulets across his page.
Thank you for telling me what to do advising me on this scenario. I’ve followed through with your recommendation, and we’re setting off to Pavel as I write these words.
The boat lurched forwards as the sail billowed into the brilliant blue sky, catching the wind. Finally breaking out of her slumber, she rode the sea to approach the famed trade city.
I will trade anything I possibly can. Our town has many incredible things that’ll surely be marveled by foreigners. Your perfect bead necklaces will be the spectacle of the town. They’re so–
A war horn blasted in the distance. He recoiled, fear briefly seizing his body before he recalled the exact tune. It was of Xirenia– and they often played their horns for the sake of scaring one. They rarely, rarely followed through with an attack… and why would they do so to their own, rich city? Cautiously, he lowered his quill again.
–beautiful.
And I will not roll over to Xirenia again. I will fight them, if I must. When we return, we will run – run across the oceans, and join Xirenia’s only opposing country. We will fight for our lost child.
I’ll be seeing you soon, dearest. I look forward to returning home, rich.
Jareth
➸
A smile graced Ari’s soft features as she read Jareth’s warm words, an odd kind of molten happiness filling her frosted veins.
Dear Jareth,
Time and time again, you never fail to remind me why I married you. Thank you for listening to me. Our children look forward to your letters, although I try to keep them from reading the more… confronting parts of them. Stay safe, darling, but never let them walk over us. Again.
The villagers are waking up. The soldiers are being more cruel, even to the most loyal families who obediently wave their little orange-yellow flags and shout: “Long reign Xirenia!” as though that would give them more food.
She almost laughed at the memory. I can’t believe we used to do that.
I must go now, as our magpie is getting into some trouble with the children!
From Ari
➸
Jareth
Jareth dear– our bird’s returned without a response. You must’ve received the letter, though, since she returned empty-clawed. I’ll send this to you to let you know that the bird’s probably accidentally dropped your letter in the ocean.
Don’t leave me in vexation– I can hardly bear the tension!
Ari
➸
Jareth…
Where are all the letters going? You still haven’t sent a letter back. I’m wasting ink rewriting this message. Please, send me even the smallest letter to confirm that you’re coming home soon.
Ari, your anxious wife
➸
Jareth, where are you? The bird keeps coming back without any letters. Are you getting mine? What’s wrong? Please, reply.
➸
Jareth, it’s been eight weeks since you last responded. If you don’t hurry up and come home soon, I’m going to have to leave. The Xirenian’s are getting suspicious of the bird flying back and forth with paper. Quickly, respond!
➸
Jareth… we’re leaving. Next week. This is your last warning before we go.
➸
Goodbye, Jareth.
Time Dedication
As of now, I haven’t planned to do anything in November. However, from approximately 10 November - 23 November, I’ll have the majority of my exams and assignments. I typically don’t study too much for my exams, other than Maths, so it shouldn’t impact my activity too heavily.
I set aside a lengthy amount of time for SWC purposes – even outside of sessions, where I am helping with the Polar Bears. I can guarantee at least an hour of SWC time every day, including periodical check-ins throughout the day, and most days I can dedicate 3-4 hours. Since I enjoy SWC so much but I still feel productive doing it, I absolutely love dedicating huge chunks of my day to it.
Time ManagementI'm not going to make any suggestions here because I don't feel that I'm well-enough equipped to point out areas that could be chopped or rearranged, never having led or coled before. The time management question is an important one and I don't want to accidentally mess yours up XD However, I know you have other people critiquing your app, so hopefully they'll be able to help you here better than I can.
If I am dedicated to something, I will work on it a lot. If I have something to do, I don’t like the feeling of having free time and doing other things – I’d much rather get it over and done with so I could spend my free time without feeling any guilt. However, I will prioritize whatever is the most urgent – so if I have a Maths exam upcoming, I may invest most of my time on that instead of SWC.
On the flip side, if SWC clearly requires more activity, attention and time, I will turn to that. Again, I hate the unsatisfying feeling of resting knowing that there is work that needs to be done. It is a bonus that SWC is such fun work!
Procrastination on things that are not as urgent is a major issue that I have to tackle. For example, I’ll often leave weeklies until the last few days. This is because I don’t regard weeklies as “important” or “work that needs to be done ASAP” until the last second. Yes, I know that this is ironic considering the fact I’m the weekly coordinator this session XD To negate procrastination this session, I will make sure to create a list of things I have to do, in order from most urgent to least, so I can work through that list at a steady pace and not leave things until last minute.
An issue I have encountered is that because of my timezone - in that, I have anywhere from a 16-24 hour time difference from the typical American/European Scratcher - I find it difficult to engage in active discussions as they unfold. I attend these discussions first thing in my morning, but however, as the Polar Bears saw last session, I often arrive late to the conversation and sometimes miss the decision-making part of it because of my timezone.
However, on Scratch, the way commenting is formatted makes it easier for me to engage in real-time discussion. My timezone also makes it easier for me to cover the Asian/Oceanic timezone people of SWC, and my timezone activity also overlaps with that of the other side of the world in my morning, so I can still participate actively in that time. In dire situations, I can also stay up late to attend to SWC matters (…that time when I stayed up til 3 with Alana to make the project version of the weekly because the dang forums weren’t working)
Collaboration and AssetsYour strengths and assets are looking good here, but I'm not seeing very much about your collaboration weaknesses, so make sure you describe those too! It's important that your reader knows about areas where you might struggle, and how you plan to overcome those areas.
I strive to include everyone in our discussions, as listening to everyone’s input is so important for me to make larger decisions. After all, we’re a team – we should work together! For example, in group projects at school, I make sure to prompt others, especially the more quiet and shy ones, to learn of their opinions and their ideas. They often come up with the most creative and brilliant ideas that would otherwise not have been heard, if I hadn’t asked them for their opinion.
I also believe I’m an active member in projects and I try to help in the best way I can, and I do more work than expected. I used to be a little bit of a pushover and would do most of the work for group projects. However, I now ensure that other people do their part by setting clear expectations on what work they have to do before I do any work, and strive to act as a leader and coordinator for group projects to make sure no one does too much or too little work for them.
My inclusion, participation and collaboration skills, combined with my enthusiasm and love for SWC, lead to me believing that I’d be a valuable asset to the leading team. I will do this by ensuring all ideas are heard, weighing them as a team and deciding unanimously. This way, no one on my leadership team would be left out in decision-making, and the best quality ideas, thoughts and opinions will be able to come to life in my cabin.
One QualityIn your commitment answer you did start rambling a bit. I like that you added an example, but it quickly derailed into talking about things other than the quality of your commitment. When drafting writing, it's good to let your thoughts flow without interruption, which includes worrying about whether you're rambling, but afterwards, make sure to go back and delete any unnecessary information. It's awesome that you are (or were, I don't know whether you're still there) in Japan, but it doesn't tell me anything about your chosen quality.
Commitment
Once I agree to do something, I will try to complete and help with it in every way I can. Essentially, I’ll go the extra kilometer (oh fine, the extra mile) to help out! Although my time zone difference to most of SWC makes this slightly difficult, I still attempt to involve myself in every aspect of SWC and leading.
For example, I made lengthy reviews of every writing piece as a writing comp panelist. People who placed in the results of March of 2024 could request feedback from me, and I’d have it prepared from when I helped to place each writing piece. Also in March, I suggested the idea of a Fairy Tale cabin memory book, where Sienna, Alana and I all worked together to pull together a mini-memory book of sorts in under about a week! Since I decided a while ago that I really wanted to apply for leader this session, I also had to fight, maybe not-so-literally-tooth-and-claw with my parents to let me bring my laptop with me (all my application work is on my laptop) to Japan. Yep, I’m in Japan right now! Here’s a photo of the view from the hotel window I’m sitting at right now ;D
As I have a deep love of SWC and enjoy helping make a session the best it can, I believe that if I become leader I’d be able to commit and go the extra mile to make my cabin as fun and loving as possible.
Cabin AtmosphereA few things I want to point out here; the first is that the word “firstly” doesn't fit with the rest of the sentence, I would instead use “first.” Next, I'd replace “altogether” with “then.” I'd also shuffle this sentence:“If I am the inactive person…(etc)” around so that it reads more like this: “If I am the person going inactive, I would make sure to let my (co)leaders know that I was going inactive, which, unless something dire came up, would hopefully not be for more than 2 days. If the inactivity was caused by something out of my control, such as a power outage, I would attempt to contact (co)leader(s) through other means. If that was not possible, I would be all right with a temporary co-leader being installed in my place until I could return.”
A tight-knit cabin with a friendly competitive spirit, where the cabin mates can safely rely on their leaders and one another. (126 characters)
Checkboxes
A | I will be able to help add points to main cabin consistently
Willing to share promotional project
B | There are no responsibilities I can’t fulfill
C | In the case of inactivity by another leader, I will firstly discuss with my (co)leader(s) whether the inactivity has gone on for too long. If so, I would send a message to the (co)leader who is inactive and if they have not responded within 2 days, I would discuss with the other co-leaders on who would step up to be (co)leader of the cabin, and would altogether decide on another co from applications that have not been selected.
If I am the inactive person, I would ensure to let my (co)leader(s) know that I was going inactive, which unless in dire situations would not be more than 2 days long. If the inactivity is caused by forces out of my control – such as a power outage – I would attempt to contact (co)leader(s) through other means. If this is not possible, I would be comfortable with a temporary co-leader being installed in my place until I can return online.
Finally, I'd use words instead of numbers, as it looks nicer in writing (for example, “two” instead of “2”).
And that's about it for this critique! I haven't covered every single area for the sake of time, but I hope my advice helped. In summary, check your sentence structure to make sure it's easy to read and understand, format your lists in a way that makes it clear which are the points and which are the headings, and cut out any unnecessary rambling in your answers. You did an amazing job with this app–I'm rooting for you! Best of luck <3
Last edited by ChueyTheCat (Sept. 18, 2024 17:01:21)
- Flowerelf371
-
Scratcher
100+ posts
swc megathread ⌘ july '24
critique for amethyst
I hope this is helpful! I’m also obviously not a professional so don’t take my words to heavily and do whatever you feel is better :D
Previous Participation
This was a little confusing because it seems like you (co)led a total of four session not two.
Cabin Prefs
If you could I would expand on this and give a little more detail of how you would do this and what exactly including these things would entail.
I really enjoyed the descriptions you gave for possible storylines you would do however you don’t say if these are your top choices for a cabin or just your thought process when creating a storyline (since you mention it above) so it was a little confusing to read. In the beginning you did say that you’re not limited to the examples but since you are applying for leader and not just co-leader I would recommend drilling on a couple of genres and storylines that you would really like to lead to give some sort of idea of what specifically you’d like to do.
And if you add what I mentioned above with the specific cabins it might not be necessary to do the list you made every genre and just mention which cabins you wouldn't prefer.
Time Dedication and Time Management
I would move some of the stuff you mentioned in time management over to time dedication specifically what you said about dedicating more time to things that require more attention (since it does have to do with how much you will dedicate to SWC)
This sentence read a little wonky and you’re repeating what you said in the sentence above
Overall in the time management section I would cut some of the things you say when talking about your timezone since you spend the last two paragraphs on that and focus more on specific skills you use to manage your time. Your last sentence also seems a little out of place to what you were talking about in the beginning of the paragraph and I would move it up to the front of the time management section
Collaboration and Assets
I thought you answered this question really well! The only other thing I think you could mention is any struggles or solutions you encountered working specifically in SWC previously.
I hope this is helpful! I’m also obviously not a professional so don’t take my words to heavily and do whatever you feel is better :D
Previous Participation
Co-led twice in 2024
Fairy Tales in March (with Alana and Sienna <3)
Poetry in July (with Coco and Fi!)
This was a little confusing because it seems like you (co)led a total of four session not two.
Cabin Prefs
“ Has an interactive storyline
Benefits for;
Contributing to cabin rankings
Participating in SWC activities
Consistent visible progress on storyline”
If you could I would expand on this and give a little more detail of how you would do this and what exactly including these things would entail.
I really enjoyed the descriptions you gave for possible storylines you would do however you don’t say if these are your top choices for a cabin or just your thought process when creating a storyline (since you mention it above) so it was a little confusing to read. In the beginning you did say that you’re not limited to the examples but since you are applying for leader and not just co-leader I would recommend drilling on a couple of genres and storylines that you would really like to lead to give some sort of idea of what specifically you’d like to do.
And if you add what I mentioned above with the specific cabins it might not be necessary to do the list you made every genre and just mention which cabins you wouldn't prefer.
Time Dedication and Time Management
I would move some of the stuff you mentioned in time management over to time dedication specifically what you said about dedicating more time to things that require more attention (since it does have to do with how much you will dedicate to SWC)
I attend these discussions first thing in my morning, but however, as the Polar Bears saw last session, I often arrive late to the conversation and sometimes miss the decision-making part of it because of my timezone.
This sentence read a little wonky and you’re repeating what you said in the sentence above
Overall in the time management section I would cut some of the things you say when talking about your timezone since you spend the last two paragraphs on that and focus more on specific skills you use to manage your time. Your last sentence also seems a little out of place to what you were talking about in the beginning of the paragraph and I would move it up to the front of the time management section
Collaboration and Assets
I thought you answered this question really well! The only other thing I think you could mention is any struggles or solutions you encountered working specifically in SWC previously.
Last edited by Flowerelf371 (Sept. 18, 2024 01:08:39)
- iinspirqtion
-
Scratcher
1000+ posts
swc megathread ⌘ july '24
Let’s get into it! I’m mostly just finding stuff that’s the most important to note since I totally forgot about this T_T but keep in mind this is all constructive criticism and I’m not trying to be like rude or something :sobs:
About me -
“most of my hobbies include reading, writing, learning, coding, babysitting, volunteering, and being a role model to my younger brothers.” most of them just doesn’t really fit her, it should just be a few, because most is usually stating that one thing is plentiful, and here there are just a few different hobbies stated, you can’t exactly say most of my hobbies are reading and writing. They’re each one, and they’re both different. Also being a role model to your younger siblings, though very admirable (I very much dislike my own) isn’t exactly a hobby. You can of course state it somewhere else, but I wouldn’t call it a hobby.
“I have been working on improving my writing skills by practicing a lot. As well as discovering what I can use my imagination for, such as my ideas or other creative things.” I think these sentences could be better if you just combined them into “I have been working on improving my writing skills by practicing a lot and discovering what I can use my imagination for, such as ideas (my is a bit unnecessary here) or other creative things.
Experience -
Woah 300+ community hours- that’s really impressive Kenzie <3 Overall your experience looks good, just maybe mention some fun moments or feelings you had in some of these experiences, as hosts not only like to see lots of experience, but what you learned from it! After all, if you didn’t learn anything, it would’ve been all for waste
Preferences -
Nothing to say here!
Dedication -
“Aside from an thing that I’ve mentioned above, I can dedicate about 1-2 hours daily to SWC.” The things you mentioned above are things that may impede your time, and what you’re saying here is how much time you can dedicate, which makes the whole sentence just a bit confusing. You’re saying aside, which usually follows with “aside from those activities, I also have these activities…” What you should do here is change it to “Although I do have a few activities that I’ll be doing throughout the month, I’ll be able to dedicate about 1-2 hours daily to SWC.”, or something like that!
After you state everything that may impede your ability to lead, it’d help if you reassured the hosts that you’d still be able to do all of the activities, and that you’ll try your best to balance swc and life, while also being a good leader, because though the main priority is your mental and physical wellbeing, when applying for a leader, it’ll be expected that you will tell them that no matter what activities you have, you will do an excellent job of leading, otherwise why would they choose you?
Time Management -
I’d just recommend an introduction before stating your weaknesses and strengths, something like “Time management has been something I struggle with in some scenarios, but excel in others” of course that’s not the best example, but something before you dive right into it would be great!
You should start your first strength with like “One strength I have is that I use to-do lists”
Also your first skill with checklists fails to mention how that is a skill in TIME Management. Of course it is, but it’d be best for you to state that. Why is not forgetting what you do good for time management? Because it saves time and makes sure that you won’t have to rush last minute.
Same, maybe an introduction before weaknesses.
Collaboration -
Introductions before your real answer would be my main issue again here <3
“I’ve been told that whenever I speak, I have wonderful ideas, I ask helpful questions, and that I make good points on the current topic.” we need more than other people’s words. I don’t care about other people, I care about what you think of yourself and your self-confidence on how well you collaborate. You can definitely include this, but make sure to elaborate on this with your own opinion, maybe give us an example of when you have wonderful ideas, or how well you’ve worked in groups before, perhaps in a school project.
Most of your strengths don’t tie back to collaboration itself, though all of these traits could be used in collaboration, what you’re doing here is just stating a trait. The hosts need to know how it’s going to help your collaboration, it’s not as important as the trait in general. Relate back to the question, restate it, anything. Try to imagine you can’t see the question, and you’re answering it. You want the hosts to immediately recognize what question you are answering.
“Usually, I’m more on the side of independence.” side is a bit to vague, I’d just say that I’m more of an independent person than make it fancy like this. Remember to speak a bit more about this trait before saying how you will improve/improved. Again, relate back to the question!
For assets, just add bullet points if you’re going to write them as you have, as they kind of just look like a chunky paragraph right now.
Quality -
Your quality mainly embodies “putting others needs before your own.” though helping people write is awesome, I don’t see how that’s putting other’s needs before your own. Try to explain that!
Checkboxes and more -
Again if you’re going to say that a part of you can’t fulfill some of the leadership responsibilities, you as a person applying for a leader should still again reassure the hosts that you will be able to lead fine even with this impediment you have, don’t just state it. Everyone’s got problems, the people who matter are the people who don’t blame their bad leading on their problems. They try their best to solve it, and if irl issues are truly in the way, it isn’t their fault, but try your best to not get to there.
For inactivity, hosts really want to see you stepping up. So not just assigning tasks, maybe asking if there’s anything you can help them with from transferring to a different style of a cabin, if they have any small problems and you are able to come online (if you are the one inactive), do it! Tell the hosts you will be able to do it if the time comes up. Cabins tend to struggle if they’re leader is gone, so help them ease into it. Offer to help if someone else is inactive. Stand up. Hold a helping hand. That’s what a leader represents.
Hope you learned something from my critique, and good luck kenzie! Overall this is a really solid app, just needs a bit fixing and I know you’ll get in!
About me -
“most of my hobbies include reading, writing, learning, coding, babysitting, volunteering, and being a role model to my younger brothers.” most of them just doesn’t really fit her, it should just be a few, because most is usually stating that one thing is plentiful, and here there are just a few different hobbies stated, you can’t exactly say most of my hobbies are reading and writing. They’re each one, and they’re both different. Also being a role model to your younger siblings, though very admirable (I very much dislike my own) isn’t exactly a hobby. You can of course state it somewhere else, but I wouldn’t call it a hobby.
“I have been working on improving my writing skills by practicing a lot. As well as discovering what I can use my imagination for, such as my ideas or other creative things.” I think these sentences could be better if you just combined them into “I have been working on improving my writing skills by practicing a lot and discovering what I can use my imagination for, such as ideas (my is a bit unnecessary here) or other creative things.
Experience -
Woah 300+ community hours- that’s really impressive Kenzie <3 Overall your experience looks good, just maybe mention some fun moments or feelings you had in some of these experiences, as hosts not only like to see lots of experience, but what you learned from it! After all, if you didn’t learn anything, it would’ve been all for waste
Preferences -
Nothing to say here!
Dedication -
“Aside from an thing that I’ve mentioned above, I can dedicate about 1-2 hours daily to SWC.” The things you mentioned above are things that may impede your time, and what you’re saying here is how much time you can dedicate, which makes the whole sentence just a bit confusing. You’re saying aside, which usually follows with “aside from those activities, I also have these activities…” What you should do here is change it to “Although I do have a few activities that I’ll be doing throughout the month, I’ll be able to dedicate about 1-2 hours daily to SWC.”, or something like that!
After you state everything that may impede your ability to lead, it’d help if you reassured the hosts that you’d still be able to do all of the activities, and that you’ll try your best to balance swc and life, while also being a good leader, because though the main priority is your mental and physical wellbeing, when applying for a leader, it’ll be expected that you will tell them that no matter what activities you have, you will do an excellent job of leading, otherwise why would they choose you?
Time Management -
I’d just recommend an introduction before stating your weaknesses and strengths, something like “Time management has been something I struggle with in some scenarios, but excel in others” of course that’s not the best example, but something before you dive right into it would be great!
You should start your first strength with like “One strength I have is that I use to-do lists”
Also your first skill with checklists fails to mention how that is a skill in TIME Management. Of course it is, but it’d be best for you to state that. Why is not forgetting what you do good for time management? Because it saves time and makes sure that you won’t have to rush last minute.
Same, maybe an introduction before weaknesses.
Collaboration -
Introductions before your real answer would be my main issue again here <3
“I’ve been told that whenever I speak, I have wonderful ideas, I ask helpful questions, and that I make good points on the current topic.” we need more than other people’s words. I don’t care about other people, I care about what you think of yourself and your self-confidence on how well you collaborate. You can definitely include this, but make sure to elaborate on this with your own opinion, maybe give us an example of when you have wonderful ideas, or how well you’ve worked in groups before, perhaps in a school project.
Most of your strengths don’t tie back to collaboration itself, though all of these traits could be used in collaboration, what you’re doing here is just stating a trait. The hosts need to know how it’s going to help your collaboration, it’s not as important as the trait in general. Relate back to the question, restate it, anything. Try to imagine you can’t see the question, and you’re answering it. You want the hosts to immediately recognize what question you are answering.
“Usually, I’m more on the side of independence.” side is a bit to vague, I’d just say that I’m more of an independent person than make it fancy like this. Remember to speak a bit more about this trait before saying how you will improve/improved. Again, relate back to the question!
For assets, just add bullet points if you’re going to write them as you have, as they kind of just look like a chunky paragraph right now.
Quality -
Your quality mainly embodies “putting others needs before your own.” though helping people write is awesome, I don’t see how that’s putting other’s needs before your own. Try to explain that!
Checkboxes and more -
Again if you’re going to say that a part of you can’t fulfill some of the leadership responsibilities, you as a person applying for a leader should still again reassure the hosts that you will be able to lead fine even with this impediment you have, don’t just state it. Everyone’s got problems, the people who matter are the people who don’t blame their bad leading on their problems. They try their best to solve it, and if irl issues are truly in the way, it isn’t their fault, but try your best to not get to there.
For inactivity, hosts really want to see you stepping up. So not just assigning tasks, maybe asking if there’s anything you can help them with from transferring to a different style of a cabin, if they have any small problems and you are able to come online (if you are the one inactive), do it! Tell the hosts you will be able to do it if the time comes up. Cabins tend to struggle if they’re leader is gone, so help them ease into it. Offer to help if someone else is inactive. Stand up. Hold a helping hand. That’s what a leader represents.
Hope you learned something from my critique, and good luck kenzie! Overall this is a really solid app, just needs a bit fixing and I know you’ll get in!
- iinspirqtion
-
Scratcher
1000+ posts
swc megathread ⌘ july '24
Hey Mouse! So honored to critique again <33
About Me -
“many hobbies, which include drawing, crafting, reading, singing, volunteering, theater, playing games, storytelling, and–of course–writing!” ok very impressive mousey but I think just cut back on some of your hobbies, maybe like the less important ones because this sentence is really long and just a pain to read. Also the hosts only need to know a few of your most passionate hobbies. Of course they want to get to know you, but they don’t need to get to know you that much, once you’re a leader that’s when that happens. It also comes off as a bit weird, I don’t want to say braggish but it gives off pick-me vibes :eyes: /j /lh (jk just maybe remove some of the hobbies)
“I had always loved stories and I have been telling them to myself long before I thought of writing them down.” Telling what? What is them? Your own stories or the stories you’ve heard from others? Be specific <3
I’d say just reorganize the paragraphs so that extroverted is the second one instead of writing as you then continue to talk about more hobbies, just in a organizational format that’s better in my opinion! Extroverted is more of a trait, compared to hobbies.
Ok going back to what I said about stating many hobbies, especially since you don’t elaborate on them, they’re not really needed.
Your paragraph about history, logic puzzles + just feels a bit shoved together, just choose a few and elaborate on them! We don’t need this much, it’s not necessary.
Move up your current novel thing to right after when you talk about writing, that makes more sense in my opinion.
Experience -
Girl scouts slay- omg silver award how was it? I want to do it but idk if I have enough time
Anyways main thing here maybe just recall an experience from your favorite session? It’s nice hearing you talk about stuff outside of SWC and your experience there, but reminder that this is you applying for SWC, and that’s the most important here. Do more than list all you activities you’ve been in here. SWC is not just words, it’s feelings and deep experiences, it’s more than “Gothic July 2024”
Preferences -
Your paranormal ideas are very loose, I know that you know it’s the point XD but maybe just add a bit more ideas, even if it’s cabin currency or pfp themes, it’s nice for hosts to see you have some grip on what you’re going to do if you get in as a leader
Ok also too many exclamation points I feel like I’m being attacked by happiness XD
Excerpt -
Ok um mouse this is unacceptable
Dedication -
I love the joke <3 hosts need to see you’re an easygoing person, so yay
I know when you said it’s nothing major it was lighthearted, but I feel like it’s too defensive so maybe change to something else it feel like your hiding a body down there >:0 I’d just say to like give an outline of how many hours you’d dedicate per day, or on a scale of one to ten, as numbers are important here, not just a summary
Management -
Okay mouse attack on exclamation points
Other than that amazing slay
Collaboration -
Stating your extroverted seems to me a bit unnecessary here, you don’t have to be extroverted to want to talk to people, and since you already stated that in your about me, I don’t think you need it here.
Other than that, again amazing :chefs kiss: I love how you reveal so much about yourself, but not too much to make it seem weird, just enough to relate to you and want to talk to you.
One quality -
I mean community isn’t a quality, so maybe just find a quality that is bringing a community together, not just stating oh the best quality is community. You could say welcoming, or friendly, per say.
Atmosphere -
We get the community /j yeah I don’t think you need to put it in here when people have just finished reading your one quality which emphasizes community enough.
Checkboxes -
Hosts want to see that even if you become inactive, you do more than what’s expected of you. You became a leader, and now you’re inactive. That’s on you, no matter what you can say. I’d say maybe find another way to help out your team, other than talking about the minimum.
Alright thank you for letting me critique your answers and good luck! Ahh sorry this is a bit rushed test tomorrow :’)
About Me -
“many hobbies, which include drawing, crafting, reading, singing, volunteering, theater, playing games, storytelling, and–of course–writing!” ok very impressive mousey but I think just cut back on some of your hobbies, maybe like the less important ones because this sentence is really long and just a pain to read. Also the hosts only need to know a few of your most passionate hobbies. Of course they want to get to know you, but they don’t need to get to know you that much, once you’re a leader that’s when that happens. It also comes off as a bit weird, I don’t want to say braggish but it gives off pick-me vibes :eyes: /j /lh (jk just maybe remove some of the hobbies)
“I had always loved stories and I have been telling them to myself long before I thought of writing them down.” Telling what? What is them? Your own stories or the stories you’ve heard from others? Be specific <3
I’d say just reorganize the paragraphs so that extroverted is the second one instead of writing as you then continue to talk about more hobbies, just in a organizational format that’s better in my opinion! Extroverted is more of a trait, compared to hobbies.
Ok going back to what I said about stating many hobbies, especially since you don’t elaborate on them, they’re not really needed.
Your paragraph about history, logic puzzles + just feels a bit shoved together, just choose a few and elaborate on them! We don’t need this much, it’s not necessary.
Move up your current novel thing to right after when you talk about writing, that makes more sense in my opinion.
Experience -
Girl scouts slay- omg silver award how was it? I want to do it but idk if I have enough time
Anyways main thing here maybe just recall an experience from your favorite session? It’s nice hearing you talk about stuff outside of SWC and your experience there, but reminder that this is you applying for SWC, and that’s the most important here. Do more than list all you activities you’ve been in here. SWC is not just words, it’s feelings and deep experiences, it’s more than “Gothic July 2024”
Preferences -
Your paranormal ideas are very loose, I know that you know it’s the point XD but maybe just add a bit more ideas, even if it’s cabin currency or pfp themes, it’s nice for hosts to see you have some grip on what you’re going to do if you get in as a leader
Ok also too many exclamation points I feel like I’m being attacked by happiness XD
Excerpt -
Ok um mouse this is unacceptable
Dedication -
I love the joke <3 hosts need to see you’re an easygoing person, so yay
I know when you said it’s nothing major it was lighthearted, but I feel like it’s too defensive so maybe change to something else it feel like your hiding a body down there >:0 I’d just say to like give an outline of how many hours you’d dedicate per day, or on a scale of one to ten, as numbers are important here, not just a summary
Management -
Okay mouse attack on exclamation points
Other than that amazing slay
Collaboration -
Stating your extroverted seems to me a bit unnecessary here, you don’t have to be extroverted to want to talk to people, and since you already stated that in your about me, I don’t think you need it here.
Other than that, again amazing :chefs kiss: I love how you reveal so much about yourself, but not too much to make it seem weird, just enough to relate to you and want to talk to you.
One quality -
I mean community isn’t a quality, so maybe just find a quality that is bringing a community together, not just stating oh the best quality is community. You could say welcoming, or friendly, per say.
Atmosphere -
We get the community /j yeah I don’t think you need to put it in here when people have just finished reading your one quality which emphasizes community enough.
Checkboxes -
Hosts want to see that even if you become inactive, you do more than what’s expected of you. You became a leader, and now you’re inactive. That’s on you, no matter what you can say. I’d say maybe find another way to help out your team, other than talking about the minimum.
Alright thank you for letting me critique your answers and good luck! Ahh sorry this is a bit rushed test tomorrow :’)
Last edited by iinspirqtion (Sept. 18, 2024 01:03:12)
- iinspirqtion
-
Scratcher
1000+ posts
swc megathread ⌘ july '24
Hi Zy! Yay critique time <3
About Me -
When you state everything you could be doing, it’s nearing the cusp of an unnecessary amount of things and it’s fine it’s just stuff you like. I’d recommend taking out either one of these “bedazzling my leather jacket collection or jumping into my (still growing) collection of squishmallows!” because they’re both silly and show your personality, but I feel like one silly thing is enough, especially since it gets tiring reading through a long list of things when we’ll only remember half of it.
You list some goals you want to achieve which is really cool, maybe state why you are aiming for these goals to make it a bit deeper as usually people don’t do it, so we want to milk the uniqueness out of it >:0
Participation -
I’d say maybe talk about some experiences you’ve had in SWC other than just listing the sessions (apart from leading), maybe your first session, or the session that got you inspired to lead. This is all important and the hosts like to get a glimpse of your own history, not just in a cabin and a date.
Of course if you really don’t have any leadership experience irl it’s fine, but even if it’s a little thing, like perhaps teaching your sibling something, or giving a presentation about something you love to the class, sometimes that can count as leadership experience! It just doesn’t really feel right when you say that you don’t have any leadership experience, because everyone does, and saying it is like admitting you never will (if you don’t note you’ll try your best to find leadership opportunities), as if you want to lead in SWC, there’s a good chance you might kind of sort of like leading irl, though I know that people are scary.
Preferences -
Main thing would just be list a few small ideas for two other cabins you’d like to lead, as since lunarpunk is niche and you may not get it even if you get accepted as a leader, they’d want to see if you have any other cool ideas for other cabins!
Time -
Looks good!
Time Management -
In skills, they’re mainly looking for cabin planning skills, not really rushing to do a bi-daily, because though that’s cool, it’s not going to keep the cabin together. Try and move your skills and shortcomings in time management to planning in the earlier stages of the cabin instead of talking about weeklies.
Again in your weaknesses you are focusing on word wars, weeklies, etc. That’s not the main point. The main point here is hosts are trying to see how you’d do leading with a limited amount of time to plan, how you’d be able to excel in areas, and some places they may need to be aware of. I don’t think they’ll care if you finish the weekly XD /lh /j
Collab + Assets
Maybe start with an introduction like you did with time management? I feel like it just makes the whole answer a lot better and coherent.
How would getting along with people help with collaborating, especially in cabin planning? I feel like that’s a given, but it’s still important to list stuff like this. Great, you get along with people. If it doesn’t mention how that’s going to help collaborating with others, well then I don’t care. (of course this is just an extreme exaggeration but hopefully you get it)
Again with ambitious, we love ambition but how’s that going to help collaboration?
Same thing for all of the skills!
Quality -
I love your quality, maybe just talk more about how you’d implement it into SWC, more specifically, for example how you’d be determined to finish for example a cabin guide or something even if there’s only a few days left before camp starts.
Checkboxes + More
For above and beyond, go more than assigning tasks to others. Even if you’re the one going inactive, if you’re the leader it was your responsibility and you failed it. Of course, sometimes it’s not your fault, but you’re a leader, and if this happens, you’ve got to do more than be like “Oh shucks shoot well here’s some work and here’s some work.” If you aren’t going completely inactive, offer to check in, or before you’re going inactive, ask if there’s any little work that you may be able to complete. That’s what people want in a leader. Responsibility.
Anyways, thank you for letting me critique your answers, and best of luck!
About Me -
When you state everything you could be doing, it’s nearing the cusp of an unnecessary amount of things and it’s fine it’s just stuff you like. I’d recommend taking out either one of these “bedazzling my leather jacket collection or jumping into my (still growing) collection of squishmallows!” because they’re both silly and show your personality, but I feel like one silly thing is enough, especially since it gets tiring reading through a long list of things when we’ll only remember half of it.
You list some goals you want to achieve which is really cool, maybe state why you are aiming for these goals to make it a bit deeper as usually people don’t do it, so we want to milk the uniqueness out of it >:0
Participation -
I’d say maybe talk about some experiences you’ve had in SWC other than just listing the sessions (apart from leading), maybe your first session, or the session that got you inspired to lead. This is all important and the hosts like to get a glimpse of your own history, not just in a cabin and a date.
Of course if you really don’t have any leadership experience irl it’s fine, but even if it’s a little thing, like perhaps teaching your sibling something, or giving a presentation about something you love to the class, sometimes that can count as leadership experience! It just doesn’t really feel right when you say that you don’t have any leadership experience, because everyone does, and saying it is like admitting you never will (if you don’t note you’ll try your best to find leadership opportunities), as if you want to lead in SWC, there’s a good chance you might kind of sort of like leading irl, though I know that people are scary.
Preferences -
Main thing would just be list a few small ideas for two other cabins you’d like to lead, as since lunarpunk is niche and you may not get it even if you get accepted as a leader, they’d want to see if you have any other cool ideas for other cabins!
Time -
Looks good!
Time Management -
In skills, they’re mainly looking for cabin planning skills, not really rushing to do a bi-daily, because though that’s cool, it’s not going to keep the cabin together. Try and move your skills and shortcomings in time management to planning in the earlier stages of the cabin instead of talking about weeklies.
Again in your weaknesses you are focusing on word wars, weeklies, etc. That’s not the main point. The main point here is hosts are trying to see how you’d do leading with a limited amount of time to plan, how you’d be able to excel in areas, and some places they may need to be aware of. I don’t think they’ll care if you finish the weekly XD /lh /j
Collab + Assets
Maybe start with an introduction like you did with time management? I feel like it just makes the whole answer a lot better and coherent.
How would getting along with people help with collaborating, especially in cabin planning? I feel like that’s a given, but it’s still important to list stuff like this. Great, you get along with people. If it doesn’t mention how that’s going to help collaborating with others, well then I don’t care. (of course this is just an extreme exaggeration but hopefully you get it)
Again with ambitious, we love ambition but how’s that going to help collaboration?
Same thing for all of the skills!
Quality -
I love your quality, maybe just talk more about how you’d implement it into SWC, more specifically, for example how you’d be determined to finish for example a cabin guide or something even if there’s only a few days left before camp starts.
Checkboxes + More
For above and beyond, go more than assigning tasks to others. Even if you’re the one going inactive, if you’re the leader it was your responsibility and you failed it. Of course, sometimes it’s not your fault, but you’re a leader, and if this happens, you’ve got to do more than be like “Oh shucks shoot well here’s some work and here’s some work.” If you aren’t going completely inactive, offer to check in, or before you’re going inactive, ask if there’s any little work that you may be able to complete. That’s what people want in a leader. Responsibility.
Anyways, thank you for letting me critique your answers, and best of luck!
- iinspirqtion
-
Scratcher
1000+ posts
swc megathread ⌘ july '24
Hey Amethyst! Let’s just get into the critique immediately XD
About Me -
A lot of random things are thrown in here, and I feel like if you want to go to canada, maybe talk more about it! Don’t leave us there, it only gives us a shallow understanding of who you are as a person, and that’s not good when hosts are looking for (co)leaders because they want to understand you, to get to know you.
OMG NEVERMOOR FINALLY MORRIGAN CROW I LOVE HER SM CAN WE LIKE TALK ABOUT THE SERIES?
Also separate the part where you talk about your favorite series and your favorite artist, as that doesn’t really seem like something you’d keep together in the same paragraph.
Talk more about Sky: Children of the Light. It sounds interesting, and we could get to know you more if you talked about it. You can also show your personality when talking about games you love, or literally if you elaborate on anything you love. Your feelings, your thoughts, anything!
Experience -
Love to hear about a time in SWC that you really liked. Maybe it’s a memory, maybe it’s a session, maybe it’s something that changed you. Something more than just stating you led. More personal experience would just be what I’d say is the main thing you need to include here.
Preferences -
Think you forgot TCTWNW <3
Dedication -
Though it’s awesome that you have a lot of time to do SWC, it also may be a bit concerning for your own mental health, and for your eyes too XD maybe say that though you’ll be dedicating 3-4 hours, you will be taking 5 minutes breaks between every thirty, or that you’ll go outside. Since you haven’t stated many after school activities, it does seem like all you’ll be doing is school and SWC, and though that’s awesome, you need other stuff too!
Time management -
Maybe a transition before you start listing you skills and shortcomings? Honestly, you don’t need to elaborate so much on how you have a different timezone because it’s not your own shortcoming. I’d recommend just including a different shortcoming because it really doesn’t reflect yourself as a person, more of where you live, which isn’t important at all.
Collaboration -
You don’t really state any weaknesses, though you do say that you used to have one, you say you have changed. Though that is true, I think you should add a weakness that you’re currently working on, as I find it impossible that someone is perfect in this field XD Unless you can’t find a weakness, but it might just make the whole answer seem a bit too ‘smug’ to put it in a weird way? I’m sorry XD I can’t find a better word, it just feels like “oh you asked me to write a strength and weakness but I don’t have one” /lh this is very exaggerated, it’s like if I had thought and x100 it.
One Quality
Though you do list some examples, you don’t relate them back to how they’d makes sense as to being committed. All leaders do have to be committed, but you say you go the “extra mile” for it. Maybe state the previous expectations suggested for a writing panelist, and saying that you tried your best to do that, and even more. Same with the memory book example. Why is this more commitment than all the other leaders? Why should you be a leader, why is your trait so important? Commitment is good, but is it really necessary if you have to go the extra mile for it? Tell me why it is, so I understand why.
Checkboxes -
I think you should also add something along the lines for if you’re inactive that you’ll try your hardest to see if there’s anything you’ll be able to do to help from where you are then. You talk a lot about going the extra mile, and it feels weird to end the app with “I’ll just contact my co-leaders and tell them from another place.” If you’re going to say you’ll go the extra mile, do it even if you are becoming inactive, unless the situation literally doesn’t allow it.
Thank you for letting me critique your answer Amethyst, good luck, and I know you’ll get in!
About Me -
A lot of random things are thrown in here, and I feel like if you want to go to canada, maybe talk more about it! Don’t leave us there, it only gives us a shallow understanding of who you are as a person, and that’s not good when hosts are looking for (co)leaders because they want to understand you, to get to know you.
OMG NEVERMOOR FINALLY MORRIGAN CROW I LOVE HER SM CAN WE LIKE TALK ABOUT THE SERIES?
Also separate the part where you talk about your favorite series and your favorite artist, as that doesn’t really seem like something you’d keep together in the same paragraph.
Talk more about Sky: Children of the Light. It sounds interesting, and we could get to know you more if you talked about it. You can also show your personality when talking about games you love, or literally if you elaborate on anything you love. Your feelings, your thoughts, anything!
Experience -
Love to hear about a time in SWC that you really liked. Maybe it’s a memory, maybe it’s a session, maybe it’s something that changed you. Something more than just stating you led. More personal experience would just be what I’d say is the main thing you need to include here.
Preferences -
Think you forgot TCTWNW <3
Dedication -
Though it’s awesome that you have a lot of time to do SWC, it also may be a bit concerning for your own mental health, and for your eyes too XD maybe say that though you’ll be dedicating 3-4 hours, you will be taking 5 minutes breaks between every thirty, or that you’ll go outside. Since you haven’t stated many after school activities, it does seem like all you’ll be doing is school and SWC, and though that’s awesome, you need other stuff too!
Time management -
Maybe a transition before you start listing you skills and shortcomings? Honestly, you don’t need to elaborate so much on how you have a different timezone because it’s not your own shortcoming. I’d recommend just including a different shortcoming because it really doesn’t reflect yourself as a person, more of where you live, which isn’t important at all.
Collaboration -
You don’t really state any weaknesses, though you do say that you used to have one, you say you have changed. Though that is true, I think you should add a weakness that you’re currently working on, as I find it impossible that someone is perfect in this field XD Unless you can’t find a weakness, but it might just make the whole answer seem a bit too ‘smug’ to put it in a weird way? I’m sorry XD I can’t find a better word, it just feels like “oh you asked me to write a strength and weakness but I don’t have one” /lh this is very exaggerated, it’s like if I had thought and x100 it.
One Quality
Though you do list some examples, you don’t relate them back to how they’d makes sense as to being committed. All leaders do have to be committed, but you say you go the “extra mile” for it. Maybe state the previous expectations suggested for a writing panelist, and saying that you tried your best to do that, and even more. Same with the memory book example. Why is this more commitment than all the other leaders? Why should you be a leader, why is your trait so important? Commitment is good, but is it really necessary if you have to go the extra mile for it? Tell me why it is, so I understand why.
Checkboxes -
I think you should also add something along the lines for if you’re inactive that you’ll try your hardest to see if there’s anything you’ll be able to do to help from where you are then. You talk a lot about going the extra mile, and it feels weird to end the app with “I’ll just contact my co-leaders and tell them from another place.” If you’re going to say you’ll go the extra mile, do it even if you are becoming inactive, unless the situation literally doesn’t allow it.
Thank you for letting me critique your answer Amethyst, good luck, and I know you’ll get in!
- PixelDucko
-
Scratcher
100+ posts
swc megathread ⌘ july '24
Finding an App. Idea
Crystie's Coleader Application
OPENING DIALOGUE
Crystie: guys! I got ready for my swc coleader interview, like I even got dressed up all fancy in this red tie, but I don't actually have any theme ideas help
Other Crystie: don't fret! I'm your inner conscience with cooler hair and I have just the right advice for you!
Other Crystie: let me just pull out my powerpoint presentation rq
1. Tell us about yourself!
One of my personal favourite ways to gain ideas is by just listening to music! It doesn’t matter if it's lyrical or lyricless, just listen to music and start daydreaming. This application was originally going to be themed around one of my favourite music artists, but I changed the idea.
I usually comment in lowercase letters, but my perfectionistic self would be annoyed if my application was formatted like that, so we’re using proper capitalization and grammar today. Anyway, hey! Welcome to my coleader application! It’s only for co-leader, since I’m not sure how I feel yet about leadership responsibilities. My nickname is Crystie, and I use she/her. I’m a Catholic Filipino who currently resides in Australia. My timezone is AEST, also known as GMT+10. I’m obsessed with MBTI (there would probably be a dozen references to cognitive functions throughout this app if only everyone knew what that was), and my type is INTP (5w4).
I hold many self-proclaimed titles, including artist, writer, aspiring author, reader, aspiring theatre worker, aspiring computer science major, aspiring guitarist, OC life ruiner, roleplayer, and much more! As you can probably tell, I have a lot of goals haha. I want to have a coding-related job when I grow up. Shoutout to Scratch for helping me understand coding (and giving me an opportunity to experience SWC <3). If not a computer-related job, I’d like to work in the film industry, especially as an animator. Animating and generally just bringing stories to life is one of my favourite things ever, which is probably part of the reason why I love writing (and why I would like to publish a book in the future!).
My interests are very scattered, which probably shows on my Scratch account as well. I make DMC entries, object show camp entries, TFCRP projects, animatics, OC art, SWC projects, and much more. Outside of Scratch, and outside of what I already mentioned, I love listening to music, watching shows, designing things, playing games, looking through memes, reading random Wikipedia articles, daydreaming, journaling, and other stuff!
Now onto favourites. My favourite show is currently Inanimate Insanity, and my favourite movie is probably some Studio Ghibli movie (or the Inanimate Insanity Movie, if that counts). My favourite flower is a sunflower! My favourite time of day is probably evening, since I love writing in my diary in the evening light while listening to Noah Kahan in the background. Noah Kahan isn’t my favourite artist though (though I do love his music!), since my favourite music artists are Go! Child and Good Kid. Please listen to them. I will gladly ramble about music and give suggestions.
This was a very disorganised starting point, but let’s move on and get to the rest of the application!
2. Previous Participation
I love just looking through Google featured photos and getting inspiration. It can also help with worldbuilding, if you’re interested in that! Looking through beautiful images used to be one of my ways of calming down when I was stressed.
I have previously participated in SWC every session starting July ‘22, so that will make the upcoming November session my 8th session, I think? Wow. In all my sessions so far, I’ve been a camper! Being a camper is enough for me, but I think co-leading would be an interesting and exciting experience, which is part of the reason I’m applying. Additionally, I’ve participated in Scratch Art Camp about three times, all as a camper again: Botanical October ‘22, Traditional February ‘23, and Gouache February ‘24.
Writing, especially roleplaying, was something that I’ve been interested in for a while. I’ve been roleplaying on and off Scratch for about three years now, but I didn’t really take writing “seriously” until around my first SWC session. Shoutout to SWC for improving my writing tenfold, haha. Outside of scratch, I admittedly don’t have much experience with leading, even in group projects at school. :,D I do my work, yes - I can even end up doing most of the work a lot of times. However, I’m a really shy and subjectively independent person in real life, so that’s sort of a disadvantage when I’m working with a group. I’d say that I’m usually more of a follower than a leader. This doesn’t mean that I won’t cooperate in a leading team, though! I find it much easier to talk online than in real life, and I’m willing to discuss ideas. SWC will hopefully be a way to improve my leadership skills. Though this is starting to sound a lot like the time management sections, so let’s save the rest for that part, shall we?
Hi-fi Ren. Faire: July ‘22
Poetry Isle of Fame: November ‘22
Poetry Coffeehouse: March ‘23
Folklore Long Pond Studios: July ‘23
Fairy Tale Academy: November ‘23
Epistolary Letter Terminal: March ‘24
Poetry Palace of Shattered Prophecies: July ‘24
3. Cabin Preferences
This is probably an obvious one, but look through premade prompts online! They were made to help you. If you’re willing enough to have social interaction, ask someone for a random idea. Or just a random word and somehow morph that into an idea. Even comment in the SWC main cabin asking for an idea, that’s good enough!
I don’t really mind what cabin I’m in! I’m flexible. I would just prefer not to lead TCTWNW and romance if it comes back. I do enjoy the competitive parts of SWC, so TCTWNW isn’t really my thing. Don’t get me wrong though – I love the idea! Meanwhile romance, especially on a site mainly for kids, makes me a little uncomfortable. :,D I’m also a little bit iffy with mythology, folklore and gothic for reasons that I’d rather not disclose, but I wouldn’t be completely against co-leading them. Additionally, fantasy is a genre that I personally find easy to write in, so that’s that if you need it! Poetry also holds a special place in my heart since I’ve been in that cabin a lot.
Since I’m applying for only co-leader, I’m mostly leaving the main cabin idea for the leader. I find it way easier to bounce off others' ideas than to create my own on the spot, so unfortunately I don’t have many cabin ideas right now. I promise I can make ideas though, haha.
4. Excerpt
What’s a good way of getting inspiration for your book, if not by reading other books? Seriously, my current novel was inspired by another book’s synopsis. It was a book that I hadn’t even read at the time. Even just picking up little vocabulary words from other books can be fun!
This is an excerpt from my July ‘24 2nd weekly! It was rather rushed so it’s not as high quality as I would like my regular writing to be, but it should show a somewhat good display of my writing style. It’s around 300 words but takes a bit long to read, sorry about that. :,D (Though I’m not sure if anyone actually reads these?)
With a frustrated groan, Pierce crumpled up the paper in a ball and threw it against the wall. It bounced back and landed at his feet. He kicked it lamely.
“This is helpless!” he whined, slouching against the wall. “At this point, I’ll never find the answers.”
Riptide glared at him from where he was researching. “We all will find the answers,” he said. “You don’t gain anything from just giving up. Give it a chance.”
Oath sighed, watching them interact.
Anastasia leaned over to Oath’s ear. “Here we go again,” she whispered.
“Yep.” Oath nodded.
“I know that!” Pierce said, putting his hands up. He let them flop to his sides again. “But sometimes it feels useless.” he murmured, lowering himself to the floor.
Riptide stood up. His eyes were locked on Pierce, furious and determined. He marched over.
“Here it comes,” Anastasia mumbled.
“Useless? Are you saying this is useless?” Riptide snapped, each word punctuated by an irritated question mark. Pierce opened his mouth to speak, but Riptide cut him off. “This quest, this research may be the only thing to save the world from utter destruction! Nobody else would do this job, so we’re doing it for them. And you’re calling it all useless?”
Pierce got up, his usual shy expression replaced with an enraged spark. “I’m not! I’m just saying it feels useless! I know how important this quest is, and I’m not willing to actually give up anytime soon!” he said. He crossed his arms. “You take things too seriously all the time, Riptide.”
“Well, excuse me for not being a mind reader! I’m just trying to keep everything in check, and you’re certainly not helping.” he retorted, rolling his eyes.
“Okay, you both, you can stop now,” Oath said, coming in between the two, receiving glowers from both of them. “We’re all friends here, right? All amazing superheroes who will save the world? Let’s stay calm, okay?”
“You both do this like all the time, doesn’t it get tiring?” Anastasia sighed.
Riptide and Pierce replied with nothing, but their glares were enough to communicate.
“Fine,” Riptide scowled, striding away.
“Fine!” Pierce yelled, leaving.
“How long until they make up?” Anastasia asked, standing next to Oath.
“A day this time, I reckon,” Oath replied.
5. Time Dedication
Sometimes we have ideas but no motivation (and trust me, I’ve been there). And my personal advice is: just do it. Two of my favourite quotes are “only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to forever leave undone.” - Pablo Picasso, slightly edited to be more Scratch appropriate; “you’ll always find a reason to do {the task}f later, just don’t listen to yourself.” - random YouTube commenter. Of course, don’t overwork or burn yourself out! Remember to stay healthy.
Other than school, I don’t have too much going on! Of course, this is definitely subject to change since November is still quite a while away, but I can expect to dedicate a lot of time to Scratch and SWC. Probably around 45-120 minutes each day, weekend or weekday, spread across multiple sessions? This varies a lot depending on my schedule and honestly just my mood. I know this is a very vague answer, sorry. :,D
Going back to school, it really is going to make a significant impact on my activity, especially considering that I live in the southern hemisphere. The school system here runs from approximately February to December, so November is when a bunch of end-of-year stuff is going to begin for me. My teachers have already mentioned several times that a LOT of stuff is going to be happening end-of-year.
In general, if I had to rate my activity from 1-10, I’d say probably a 7/10. I am definitely able to check in on Scratch a lot throughout the day – sometimes I do it without even realising haha. I do think that my activity could easily be a 8-9/10, but I don’t want to make any promises because my schedule really is spontaneous and unexpected. I can basically guarantee that I’ll be able to be online a lot, though!
6. Time Management
Brain dump time! What do are you trying to find ideas for? What’s the main theme you would like to convey? Write that down. Then just write down a bunch of words, phrases, sentences, ideas, etc. related to that theme. Don’t think, don’t skip an idea even if you think you’ll never use it. I love brainstorming. I do understand that it doesn’t work for everyone though, so don’t fret if it doesn’t generate useful anything for you!
Shortcomings:
- One of my shortcomings in time management DEFINITELY includes procrastination. Like seriously. I procrastinate so much. I tend to wait until the last minute to get things done. However, I recognise this problem and I’m trying to overcome it!
- I get distracted easily. I’m very spontaneous and don’t really keep a schedule, which isn’t necessarily bad on its own, but it leads me to get sidetracked and not do my work. I am trying to combat this struggle by being more organised: setting reminders, alarms, keeping to-do lists, et cetera.
- Like mentioned in one of the first lines of this application, perfectionism is definitely something that I struggle with. I can spend so long on one detail, leading to wasted time. It’s a struggle, but it’s not one of my biggest ones. Like all my other shortcomings, I’m trying to change and reduce my perfectionistic tendencies.
Skills:
- I would consider myself to be somewhat organised. I try to keep to-do lists and just generally make sure that everything is in check! I look for unfinished projects, set priorities. I try to look at the big picture and check that everything is completed and ready to go.
- Even though I procrastinate, I DO usually end up getting things done (even if it takes a while). I try to remember what I need to do, and I keep it on my to-do list.
- Heavily related to the last point, I can really commit myself to things if I want to (SWC is definitely something that I would like to commit to!). I can get things done in little time while still keeping a somewhat high quality. A majority of this application was made around 6 days before the deadline. Like I mentioned, procrastination hits hard, but I can really achieve things if I have enough willpower to do it!
7. Collaboration and Assets
Go on Wikipedia and go down a rabbit hole. That’s it. Just look through random facts, and maybe you’ll randomly think of something along the way. If you don’t get any ideas, hey, you still have your facts! Warning: would not recommend if you are prone to procrastination, distractions and forgetting the time. (Coughs as I remember the last question.)
Weaknesses:
- Like mentioned earlier, I’m very shy. While this trait isn’t nearly as prominent online as it is in real life, I am rather afraid sometimes of confrontation, speaking up and generally just communicating with others. This leads me to not share my ideas sometimes, or even just not respond. It’s a huge struggle haha, but I do recognise how much of a weakness it is and I’m trying to overcome it.
- I’m a people pleaser. If I don’t really like an idea and I have suggestions to change it, I’m not really one to share those opinions. I try to make sure that everything and everyone is happy in a team, and while that’s okay on its own, it leads to me to being unsatisfied myself. I am, again, trying to change this trait into a healthy habit where I make sure everyone is cheerful while still keeping my health okay.
Strengths
- Contrary to my app theme, I’d consider myself to be a very creative person! I can easily come up with ideas that possibly think outside the box. I love experimenting, going down rabbit holes, seeing what could be, stuff like that. If it helps at all, I’m rather artsy too. I can easily draw sketches, diagrams, drafts, whatever we need to properly envision an idea if imagination isn’t enough.
- I listen to others’ ideas and stay flexible. I’d say that I’m open-minded, and I’m okay with switching ideas! Everyone’s ideas matter in a leading team, and I try to listen and comment on each one of them. There’s not much else to say here.
8. One Quality
If worst comes to worst, just stare into space. Find a comfortable spot and look at the ceiling. Just force yourself to think of ideas. I find some of my best ideas to come from random epiphanies when I’m not actively brainstorming. (Can you tell that I’m starting to lose ideas for making ideas?)
This was probably the hardest question to answer, since there’s a ton of things that a leader should embody (not to mention that I take a while making decisions since I want to find the most accurate outcome). But in the end, one quality that I really prioritise in leadership is probably cooperation. A leader should make decisions and get things done efficiently, yes, but if nobody else likes those decisions, then what’s the point? I believe that a leader should work together with their team (and cabinmates!) to reach their shared goal. That shared goal can be anything, from making sure all the campers are happy to just getting the cabin description done. Regardless, I believe that a leader should get things done, but should cooperate with others as well to get the best results. It’s a leadership team for a reason, after all. Be open-minded, listen to others. Don’t be dead set on one decision and refuse to hear any other perspectives out. In the end, I think that’s what I value most as a leader.
As much as I value independence, I do recognise how important it is to cooperate as a team.I’m going to try to embody this trait by doing what I mentioned: listening to others, hearing differing perspectives, brainstorming ideas with others, assigning tasks, stuff like that.
9. Cabin Atmosphere
Take a breath of fresh air! Go outside! Watch the world! Meditate! I personally love taking walks (only during colder temperatures, though) and just drifting off. Feeling the wind in my hair, smelling the flowers, listening to the crows and cockatoos. The crows and cockatoos are really loud. Help. /lh
An interactive and engaging cabin that encourages competition but focuses more on friendships, goals and achievements. (118 characters)
10. Checkboxes
Tried everything and still have no ideas? That’s okay! I have a solution for you! As a last resort, become scratch.mit.edu user @PixelDucko also known as Crystie and make a project about finding ideas. Maybe you’ll motivate yourself along the way! Or maybe you’ll run out of ideas too! Either way, it’s sure to be an experience! (Guys I’m running out of ideas for this project. How ironic. Help it’s 7 PM on a Wednesday and I’m not yet done with this application and I have homework due on Friday morning. Don’t worry, I’m working on my procrastination: I did half of the work on Monday! /gen And I like working on this app haha.)
A. I am willing to share a promotional project for SWC. (I’m not sure if co-leaders add points in the main cabin? I’ll be able to update word counts within my own cabin though.)
B. I believe I will be able to complete all leadership responsibilities listed in the FAQ!
C. In the event that I am inactive, my actions will differ depending on how long my inactivity will last. If it’s simply for a day, I’ll just leave a heads-up comment in the cabin. However, if it’s for five days or more, I’ll still leave a comment in the cabin, but I’ll inform the other (co)leaders on their profile. If it lasts for over two weeks (which is really unlikely, but it’s good to just make sure haha), I’ll do the same things I just mentioned but possibly notify a host if necessary. I’ll try to do as much work as I can before going inactive.
In the event that another (co)leader is inactive, I’ll wait a few days to make sure that they really are inactive. I’ll also recheck comments and leader applications in search of any possible warning in advance. If the (co)leader is completely inactive for over a week, I’ll leave a comment on their profile asking if they’re still there. If they do not respond within a few days, I’ll let my other (co)leaders know, and possibly a host if necessary. I’ll try to find a way that the work can still be done.
CLOSING DIALOGUE
Crystie: wow! thanks self conscience, I have an idea for my application now!
Other Crystie: yay cool! what're you gonna do
Crystie: idea ten, the last one
Other Crystie:
Other Crystie: I don't wanna be rude but. like. are you sure? you wanna do the last minute idea?
Crystie: yeah
Other Crystie:
Other Crystie: maybe the real ideas were the friends we made along the way
Crystie: there are no other people in this project other than me and me though??
Fin.
Last edited by PixelDucko (Sept. 20, 2024 08:08:58)
- booklover883322
-
Scratcher
500+ posts
swc megathread ⌘ july '24
Critique for Kenzie!
About Me
I loved this section! It really introduces the reader to you and establishes the person you’re ‘selling’ to the larger audience as a good leader. I also /love/ how you incorporated your faith into everything, it’s very encouraging and tells a lot about your character! (this reminded me that I should probably do the same X3)
Experience
Wait a DARN second- I was one of your cos for your first session??? That’s honestly crazy oh my goodness-
This section is great! No notes! You’ve presented a glowing resume that shows entirely relevant experience! It’s concise and doesn’t dwell on unnecessary formatting or language.
Cabin Preferences
Great job! I think this is all very well thought out!
Excerpt
Wonderful piece! No notes!
Time Dedication
Great work on this! Conceptually, this works well!
Time Management
Quality in a Leader
This is a great quality to pick! It’s well-supported, and you give good reasoning for why you picked it, as well as how you would embody it! It’s a very biblical quality as well, so kudos for that!
Atmosphere and Boxes
Great work! No notes on either.
Overall notes
This app is wonderful!! I think you did an amazing job! One thing I’d watch out for would be run-on sentences. I don’t think I caught them all, so maybe do a read-through specifically looking for them? Aside from that, you did wonderfully! I’m wishing you the best of luck!
About Me
I loved this section! It really introduces the reader to you and establishes the person you’re ‘selling’ to the larger audience as a good leader. I also /love/ how you incorporated your faith into everything, it’s very encouraging and tells a lot about your character! (this reminded me that I should probably do the same X3)
I have been working on improving my writing skills by practicing a lot. As well as discovering what I can use my imagination for, such as my ideas or other creative things.This comes off as slightly clunky and a bit vague. I’d reword it to something like this, “I have been working on improving my writing skills by practicing frequently. I’m also discovering new ways to use my imagination, expanding beyond *example of something you’ve been doing for a while and have gotten quite good at*.”
Experience
Wait a DARN second- I was one of your cos for your first session??? That’s honestly crazy oh my goodness-
This section is great! No notes! You’ve presented a glowing resume that shows entirely relevant experience! It’s concise and doesn’t dwell on unnecessary formatting or language.
Cabin Preferences
Great job! I think this is all very well thought out!
After finding a note from an unknown figure, they discover that to escape they’ll need parts for a machine that will set them free.This is a bit clunky and redundant. Maybe reword it to this? “After finding a note from an unknown source, they discover that they’ll need to piece together an old machine in order to escape.”
Using teamwork, skills of their imagination, and their wits, the apprentices, under the supervision of their masters, will find the problem, figure out a solution, and find out who caused the malfunction in the first place.I’d reword it to this, “Using teamwork, imagination, and wits, the apprentices —under the supervision of their masters— will find the problem, figure out a solution, and find who caused the malfunction in the first place.”
Excerpt
Wonderful piece! No notes!
Time Dedication
Great work on this! Conceptually, this works well!
Of course above all of that,I’d shorten it to just “Of course,”
Time Management
it helps to not forget what I have to do.I’d reword it to this, “it helps me to remember what I have to do.” Double negatives can be a bit confusing sometimes.
Quality in a Leader
This is a great quality to pick! It’s well-supported, and you give good reasoning for why you picked it, as well as how you would embody it! It’s a very biblical quality as well, so kudos for that!
One trait that I value in a leader is the ability to serve others, which means putting others needs first before your own and helping others develop and perform as best as they can.I would break this up to something like this, “One trait that I value in a leader is the ability to serve others. That means putting others' needs first, as well as helping others develop and perform as best as they can.”
Atmosphere and Boxes
Great work! No notes on either.
Overall notes
This app is wonderful!! I think you did an amazing job! One thing I’d watch out for would be run-on sentences. I don’t think I caught them all, so maybe do a read-through specifically looking for them? Aside from that, you did wonderfully! I’m wishing you the best of luck!
- booklover883322
-
Scratcher
500+ posts
swc megathread ⌘ july '24
Critique for Mouse!
The Ghosts
Overall, I think that the ghosts were well done! They each showcased various aspects of your life and interests well, and I think each one of them conveyed the message you needed them to. If they seem a little ‘cringey’ to you, I don’t think others will perceive it as such. They’re conveying personality, which I like! If you really want me to nit-pick them, I can, but overall I think they’re great!
I’m not sure if this was intentional, but one of the ghosts was empty, as well as the answer below it. Also, concerning the formatting of the text, just make sure that the formatting matches up with the formatting of your app. So if the writing ghost appears before the about me section or after, reflect that in the text. That will keep the experience around the same. It seems right, but I’m just making the note <3
About Me
I don’t really have many notes for this section. It’s very effective in portraying who you are as well as beginning to build your rapport with the reader. You seem very approachable and relatable, as well as a desirable candidate.
Experience
Aside from that, you have a /glowing/ scratch camp resume! You’ve listed all very relevant points of experience, tying them back to qualities that would make you a good candidate.
Cabin Preferences
Excerpt
The excerpt is great! No notes. It’s not too long but showcases your strengths as a writer!
Dedication
Time Management
Oh GOSH this section was relatable XD Answer quality and honesty are pretty darn important, and I think that this answer really shines in those areas specifically! That’s what they’re looking for, and I see it!
Collaboration and Assets
Great work! I really liked this section!
One Quality
This is great! For the sake of reading quality, I’d break it into a few smaller paragraphs. There are a lot of complex sentences as well, so I’d insert a few smaller sentences to break up the pace of everything.
Atmosphere and Boxes
Great work on both! No notes! I would just watch out for run-on sentences in the last bit.
Overall Notes
Overall, this is an AMAZING application! I think that your personality really shines through. I’d watch out for run-on sentences when editing. I know that I love being wordy, and I can see that same thing in this app- I’m impressed by everything you have to offer, though! I’m wishing you the BEST of luck!
The Ghosts
Overall, I think that the ghosts were well done! They each showcased various aspects of your life and interests well, and I think each one of them conveyed the message you needed them to. If they seem a little ‘cringey’ to you, I don’t think others will perceive it as such. They’re conveying personality, which I like! If you really want me to nit-pick them, I can, but overall I think they’re great!
I’m not sure if this was intentional, but one of the ghosts was empty, as well as the answer below it. Also, concerning the formatting of the text, just make sure that the formatting matches up with the formatting of your app. So if the writing ghost appears before the about me section or after, reflect that in the text. That will keep the experience around the same. It seems right, but I’m just making the note <3
About Me
I don’t really have many notes for this section. It’s very effective in portraying who you are as well as beginning to build your rapport with the reader. You seem very approachable and relatable, as well as a desirable candidate.
Experience
November will be my 8th session of SWC and my 6th time applying for a leadership position!When you say ‘6th time applying’, it was a bit confusing at first glance. It’s not necessarily bad or something that needs to be removed but it might be wise to reword it.
Aside from that, you have a /glowing/ scratch camp resume! You’ve listed all very relevant points of experience, tying them back to qualities that would make you a good candidate.
In the recent few yearsThis is just a nitpick, but it’s a bit redundant in wording here. Maybe reword it to, “In recent years,”
Cabin Preferences
Fantasy I have endless ideas for.Again, pretty nitpicky, but I’d change it to, “I have endless ideas for Fantasy.”
Excerpt
The excerpt is great! No notes. It’s not too long but showcases your strengths as a writer!
Dedication
School is probably the biggest thing in my schedule, but aside from my weekly activities like trapeze, Scout meetings, volunteering, the random activities we do, etc, the other thing eating up time in my schedule is campouts!For a bit of clarity, I’d break this up somehow. It appears to the eye as a bit clunky or run-on-ish.
My campouts are usually on the third weekend of the month and are only for 2-3 days, plus I will have access to my phone and (hopefully) the internet, so this also shouldn’t be too much of a problem.I’d be a bit careful with how this comes off! While it’s good to list, it seems to me like you’re willing to forgo participating in the campout (a normally off-the-grid thing) for SWC. That’s not a bad thing, I’d just be careful to make sure that life>SWC is something you prioritize and show that you prioritize, if that makes sense-
Time Management
Oh GOSH this section was relatable XD Answer quality and honesty are pretty darn important, and I think that this answer really shines in those areas specifically! That’s what they’re looking for, and I see it!
I do this by limiting distractions so I can focus on my task, settling with ‘good enough’ instead of being a perfectionist, and I’ve developed a workflow where I work on one task for half an hour, take a short break, work on a different task for half an hour, take another short break, and repeat.I’d break this up, so it looks like this. “I do this by limiting distractions so I can focus on my task, settling with ‘good enough’ instead of being a perfectionist. I’ve developed a workflow where I work on one task for half an hour, take a short break, work on a different task for half an hour, take another short break, and repeat.” (also totally going to try this myself XD)
Collaboration and Assets
Great work! I really liked this section!
I’ve worked on dealing with both of these by phrasing everything as kindly as I can whenever I have to say no and by making sure I am voicing my opinions and am happy with what’s being planned.This is a bit of a run-on. I’d reword it to this, “I’ve worked on dealing with both of these. I try to phrase everything as kindly as I can whenever I have to say no. I also make sure that I voice my opinions and that I’m happy with what’s being planned.”
One final thing that can be counted as both a strength and a weakness depending on the situation is that I…I’d put parentheses or dashes around “depending on the situation”. Whatever you think works best!
One Quality
This is great! For the sake of reading quality, I’d break it into a few smaller paragraphs. There are a lot of complex sentences as well, so I’d insert a few smaller sentences to break up the pace of everything.
Atmosphere and Boxes
Great work on both! No notes! I would just watch out for run-on sentences in the last bit.
Overall Notes
Overall, this is an AMAZING application! I think that your personality really shines through. I’d watch out for run-on sentences when editing. I know that I love being wordy, and I can see that same thing in this app- I’m impressed by everything you have to offer, though! I’m wishing you the BEST of luck!
Last edited by booklover883322 (Sept. 18, 2024 14:08:26)
- ChueyTheCat
-
Scratcher
100+ posts
swc megathread ⌘ july '24
yet another critique, this time for swc's wonderful soulstealer mouse!! (fine, you can have every soul EXCEPT mine.) before we dive in, just a quick reminder that i am no way a professional and also that we're different people and therefore write differently, which means that i may make a suggestion that goes against your style–feel free to ignore those LOL
i also tend to be pretty straightforward when writing critiques which may give you the false impression that i'm actually a serious person, please remember that in real life i'm a very silly person who wants to grow up to be a professional people licker /JJJJ don't let my serious face fool you >:0
anyways, let the critiquing commence!
This only chops ten words off of the original count, but little things can pile up! Try to condense sentences and paragraphs whenever possible.
Other than the “word baggage” here, this section looks great! Keep up the good work <33
(now time to go work on my app, which i've been procrastinating on sob)
i also tend to be pretty straightforward when writing critiques which may give you the false impression that i'm actually a serious person, please remember that in real life i'm a very silly person who wants to grow up to be a professional people licker /JJJJ don't let my serious face fool you >:0
anyways, let the critiquing commence!
Off to a good start here! The only thing I'd recommend is chopping the hobbies down a bit, as lots of commas in the same sentence tend to leave your reader's head spinning. Trust me, I know; I've heard the seductive call of listing everything there is to know about me in one fell swoop of a sentence, but your readers will hear a very different call–the call to take an aspirin for their sudden headache. If you still want to include all of them, try breaking them up into different categories of sentences (for example, a sentence about your creative hobbies, a sentence about your entertaining hobbies, etc).۩ Graveyard: Mouse's SWC Leader App
Approximately 2390 wordsDragon Ghost
If you know me, you know I love dragons! Not only are they incredible, but they’re also a staple of my favorite genre: fantasy! Any media with dragons in it immediately has my attention, so if you have recommendations, please let me know!
۩ About Me
Hey! I’m Mouse(y)! I use any pronouns and I’m in the wonderful timezone of CST. When my head isn’t in the clouds, you can usually find me spending time outdoors, talking to people, listening to music, or doing one of my many hobbies, which include drawing, crafting, reading, singing, volunteering, theater, playing games, storytelling, and–of course–writing!
I’m a very kind, energetic person–I’ve always been extroverted and love talking to people, online and off! One of my passions is helping people–I volunteer at my local senior center and I always find myself smiling while I do so <3 Some other things I enjoy are history, doing flying trapeze, completing logic puzzles, listening to music, and getting lost in the worlds I create!Here, I'd rearrange the first sentence in this chunk so that it read more like this: “I'm a very kind, energetic person–I've always been extroverted, and I love talking to people, both online and off!” This makes it so that the tense is more consistent, and the sentence's finish isn't as abrupt.
My current novel has no title, but it’s about a girl named Crystal who manifests powerful magic but doesn’t want it and a demon named Mira who’s loyalties aren’t as they seem… (I promise there’s more to it than this, but if I go into it this will get very long ahaha)It's really cool that you're writing a book, but maybe try shortening this down to just the information that you're writing a novel and you want to have it published someday. The summary of the book is relatively irrelevant to the rest of the section (yes, I realize how silly that sentence sounds, but bear with me).
I am so obsessed with this project–please do ask me about my novel. I have so much to rant about!! I am planning on doing NaNoWriMo in November to complete another draft because my eventual goal is to get my novel published, and with every draft I get closer to my dream <33
I found SWC two and a half years ago, and have never regretted it since. Through SWC I have improved my writing, found incredible friends, gained much better leadership and communication skills, and have really become a better person because of this wonderful, chaos-filled writing camp, and I plan on participating in it for years to come!Try condensing this paragraph down into something like this: “I found SWC two and a half years ago, and I've never regretted it. I've improved my writing, found incredible friends, gained better leadership and communication skills, and become a better person–all thanks to this wonderful, chaos-filled writing camp. I plan on participating for years to come!”
This only chops ten words off of the original count, but little things can pile up! Try to condense sentences and paragraphs whenever possible.
Your list is looking good, but the previous sentence is a bit confusing when paired with the colon. Try to rearrange it to where you have a heading for the list that makes sense, instead of making the introductory paragraph the heading.Writing Ghost
I got into writing when I was extremely young. I had always loved stories and I have been telling them to myself long before I thought of writing them down. They are–and have always been–magical to me. The power to create your own worlds with a brush of your fingertips and breathe characters to life with a thought is something everyone has, but not many use <3
۩ Experience
November will be my 8th session of SWC and my 6th time applying for a leadership position! I have participated in every session since I joined in March 2022, and in every session since November 2022 I have been as active as I can be, exceeding my word count goals, checking in almost every day, and having so, so much fun:
March 2022 - Real-Fi - Backup Camper
July 2022 - Script - Backup Camper
November 2022 - Hi-Fi - Camper
March 2023 - Horror - Co-Leader, MBC member
July 2023 - Action - Co-Leader
November 2023 - Sci-Fi - Leader, MBC member, Daily Team helper
March 2024 - Dystopian - Leader, Daily Team helper
July 2024 - Gothic - Co-Leader, Daily Team helper
This session, I’m a Daily Team Polar Bears coordinator, which has been amazing!Whoa, Mouse can time-travel? GIVE ME YOUR POWERSSS /jjj This sentence looks a bit like you're saying you've already been a Daily Team Polar Bears coordinator this session, which is a bit strange considering that the session hasn't even started yet XD. Try adding some more clarification: “which has been amazing so far!” if your duties have already started, or swapping the “has” for an “is” if they haven't.
I’ve also had roles in other camps across Scratch–in total, I’ve participated in 26 sessions of various camps (including my sessions in SWC)–out of those sessions, I’ve been a camper 16 times, a co-leader 3 times, and a leader 6 times! I have also hosted two camps in the past–Camp Jewel Peak and Mangoes & Mayhem Arson Prompts–both of which are currently inactive but were a lot of fun to plan and run, and taught me a lot in the process.Wow, you've done a LOT–that's awesome! There are only two things to mention here–first, you might want to provide a link to Bella's profile, since it's likely that not everyone reading this knows her and would recognize her nickname. Second, when talking about the events you've run, the parentheses aren't really necessary, as it can be rewritten like this: “I've also organized and run several large, 100+ people events…(etc).” This not only reduces the words in the sentence (okay okay just by one but it still counts), it helps the sentence flow better, at least for me.
I am one of the hosts of Mangoes & Mayhem (the SWC Podcast!!), which I run with Bella–M&M has taught me a lot about time management, planning, and organization!
Outside of Scratch, I’m very active in my community! I have around 150 volunteer hours, which I’ve collected mostly by volunteering at the senior center <3 I’ve also organized and run several large (easily 100+ people) events, I’m on my local advisory board, and I’m in Girl Scouts and Scouting America, which both have a heavy focus on building leadership skills.
As for writing experience, as I mentioned before I’ve been telling myself stories for as long as I can remember <33 In the recent few years I’ve put much more of a focus on improving my writing by practicing, completing multiple high-level writing courses, and attending workshops by published authors in my area!! I’ve also entered my writing into several competitions on and off Scratch, and I’m working tirelessly on getting my novel written, polished, and published <33The “naturally” isn't essential, and I feel like your paragraph about fantasy is somewhat awkwardly worded. Try to blend some of your sentences together to create something more along the lines of “I have endless ideas for Fantasy–it's my favorite genre and I dream of leading it someday <33” and so on. Maybe flip some of your sentences around like I did with the fantasy one to make them sound more natural.Spooky Ghost
Autumn is my favorite season and Halloween is my favorite holiday… so whether it’s real things like spiders and snakes, Halloween decorations, or special effects, it goes without saying I love spooky things
۩ Cabin Preferences
I would cherish the chance to lead any cabin! Each one has endless, incredible possibilities, and I’d love to explore and experiment with all of them.
That said, the cabins I would like to lead most this session are, in no particular order: Paranormal, Adventure, Fantasy, Thriller, Myth, Tragedy, Fairy Tales, Hi-Fi, Mystery, Steampunk, and Solarpunk!
Naturally, I am overflowing with ideas for all of these and more, but I’ll only list a few of them here <3
Out of the cabins I listed above, my top three choices would be Paranormal, Hi-Fi, and Fantasy!
As I’m sure you can tell from the theme of this app, I have a very strong love and obsession for ghosts, so Paranormal would absolutely be filled with them!! This is my loosest cabin concept because I’d love to work with my leadership team to create everything else <33
For Hi-Fi, I have a very ambitious idea of a witch coven, where campers can level up their powers on their own in a project similar to Gothic’s Rooftop Garden while learning spells as a cabin and having a whole lot of fun together <33 I have been sitting on this idea for nearly a year now, and I have an entire google doc detailing how everything could work–I’m absolutely willing to elaborate on this idea if you’d like me to!
Fantasy I have endless ideas for. It’s my favorite genre and my dream cabin to lead one day <33 One thing that will be included is (unsurprisingly) dragons, most likely in the form of something like the Gothic Rooftop Garden project!!
As for the rest of them, I have brief summaries of plot ideas–if you’re interested in hearing them, just ask!!
I would rather not co/lead TCTWNW, as I adore the competitive aspect of SWC and hope to incorporate it into my cabin <3I love this bahahaha, the first sentence is literally how I feel about SWC pfft. There are just a few corrections I'd make here, as the rest of it looks awesome! To start, make sure you're pruning away any “extra” words that don't add to the answer, such as “at all,” “the” (the one in front of “random” that is please don't delete all instances of “the” in your app sobbing, that would be really special), and “only” (in front of “for 2-3 days”).Reading Ghost
Just like I love writing stories, I love reading them too! Stories can transport you to other worlds, let you live other lives, let you play in a world of your own making, or they can bring awareness to important issues. They’re little portals, giving you an escape from the world. I’ve been reading for a very long time, and my current favorite book series is a tie between Artemis Fowl and Six of Crows–both of which I highly reccommend!
۩ Excerpt
The city was silent and almost breathless as the sun began to sink towards the horizon. Everyone was waiting. Not even a bird’s cry rang out, but if you listened closely, you could hear the sounds of terrified sobs. Those who were crying could not be blamed, of course.
It takes a lot not to cry at the end of the world.
All the news stations were displaying the same prerecorded message, saying over and over again that the world would end when the sun set.
The entire population was caught off-guard. The news had come just that afternoon, after all. Waking up this morning, Zayden hadn’t thought that this would be the day he would die.
Or would he? Would he just continue to exist in the vacuum of space? He might be a god, but he didn’t really have experience with the whole world-ending kind of thing. Staring at the sky, he watched the sun creep lower. Silently, he wondered where his friends were. If Nick was watching them now, if Alexander had gotten better, if Rebecca was okay. He especially missed Rebecca.
And Owen…
The kid was naive and stupid, overconfident and stubborn, but the idiot had grown on him. It was refreshing to have a conversation with someone as innocent and foolish as Owen, he was always optimistic and believed in himself–probably more than he should.
It was, after all, Owen that had led them to the situation where…
Zayden shook his head, ridding his mind of the thought. Better to not think about such tragedies. He looked back to the sky, wondering how much more time they had left.
“Hey.” A dry, flat, shockingly familiar voice came from behind him, “We’ve got roughly thirty minutes left. Are you going to stand there, or are you going to help me try and stop whatever’s going on?” He recognized to voice the second he’d heard it, but he was still surprised to see Alexander when he turned around. Alexander looked… confident, with a bit of a smirk tugging at his mouth–which shocked Zayden out of speaking for a moment. Two people were standing behind him–a tall man and a Drelsh woman, and all three of them were armed. Ready. Not willing to stand in silence while the threat of death loomed heavy. Zayden’s brain caught up with itself, and he conjured a sword.
“I think I’ll help. Better go out strong and fighting than in defeated silence.”
Alexander smiled a full smile then, which Zayden thought looked so strange on his face–but also so right. Like he was an entirely different person. Like he was…
Realization hit, but Alex had started striding away from him, leading them into the battle.
“Wait!” Zayden exclaimed, chasing after him, “Hold up. Are you–?”
He glanced back and gave a wink before turning back. The four of them ran towards the sunset, determined to change the fate set before them.
If they were to die, Zayden was glad to go out fighting.??? Ghost
words!!
۩ Dedication
I have no plans and no life so I will be able to dedicate 24 hours a day to SWC. /j
Okay, so maybe I do have some plans. But it’s nothing major! I will be able to dedicate at LEAST an hour every day to SWC, and even more time to writing. Since I’m doing NaNoWriMo, a chunk of time every day will go into hitting that word goal, but it shouldn’t impact my activity at all. School is probably the biggest thing in my schedule, but aside from my weekly activities like trapeze, Scout meetings, volunteering, the random activities we do, etc, the other thing eating up time in my schedule is campouts! My campouts are usually on the third weekend of the month and are only for 2-3 days, plus I will have access to my phone and (hopefully) the internet, so this also shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
I don’t expect anything else to come up that will impact my activity, but if it does, I’ll make sure to notify my leadership team and the hosts <33
Again, chop extra words! “So,” “slowly but surely,” “I can proudly say,” “plenty of” and “always” can be chopped or reworded to take up less space. Also, try adding something like a “but” or “however” in front of “there's still,” or else a “though” after “improvement” to clarify that you're not perfect at time management yet (is anyone? not me, that's for sure LOL).Headphones Ghost
Music is such a huge part of my life. If I’m at my desk, you can bet I have my headphones on–listening to music is such a habit of mine that I find it incredibly hard to work without them on XD The music I listen to varies widely, but I love the genres of Rock, Pop, Metal, and Alternate, my favorite bands currently being My Chemical Romance, Set It Off, Sleep Token, and The Score! If you have any music recommendations please let me know–I’d love to hear them <33
۩ Time Management
I am so much better at time management than I used to be. Slowly but surely I’ve worked to improve my skills, and I can proudly say I have! There’s still plenty of room for improvement, and I’ll always work on improving my skills this session and in the future!
The two skills I believe I’ve improved on the most recently are efficiency and planning!I'd chop the description of the workflow and just state that it exists, but other than that this looks good!
I try to be efficient with my tasks so I can get more done in less time. I do this by limiting distractions so I can focus on my task, settling with ‘good enough’ instead of being a perfectionist, and I’ve developed a workflow where I work on one task for half an hour, take a short break, work on a different task for half an hour, take another short break, and repeat. This method really works for me and I find myself getting the most done when I know I only have half an hour to try and finish it–overall enabling me to be as productive as I can be!
I also plan out the things I need to do so I can actually get them done! My main strategy is making to-do lists of everything I need to get done throughout the day to prevent me from forgetting anything, and it is SO satisfying to check off the boxes! Before I make my to-do list, I try to make a priority list, sorting the things I need to do by actual importance before writing them down in that order, so I tackle the biggest, most important things first!I know I repeat myself a lot, and it's probably getting annoying, but the more I repeat it, the more you'll remember it (hopefully). So, with that in mind (I'll even put it in capitals so it's nice and big and memorable), CHOP UNNECESSARY WORDS AND STATEMENTS /lh. That looks a bit like shouting (whoops–I hope you know I'm not shouting at you, Mousey :')), but it's also nice and attention-catching, which is good. I believe that good writing stems from getting your point across without a lot of “word baggage.” It can be hard to realize when you're rambling or using too many words that you don't need–I know this from experience, since I do it all the time! It can help to step back for a couple hours, or even a couple of days, so you can come back with fresh eyes to look for mistakes. With that in mind, here are a few “chop-able” words I noted: “and it is SO satisfying to check off the boxes!” “sorting the things I need to do by actual importance before writing them down in that order” “definitely” “so” and “usually by turning on music or taking a short break.”
But I’m definitely not perfect at any of this, and a lot of the time I find myself struggling with time management. I’d say my biggest weakness is distraction–it is so easy to get distracted, and I constantly lose focus on my tasks, especially if I don’t want to do them. I’ve worked on this by trying my best to notice when I am distracted and getting myself back on track, usually by turning on music or taking a short break! My second biggest weakness is overestimating myself–I will take on task after task and then quietly drown in my pile of work, pretending everything is fine and I’ve got it under control until it’s clear I don’t. Now, I try to make sure I complete my current tasks before taking on new ones and I ask for help. I’ve found countless times that the assistance of others is priceless, and more often than not they’ll help you finish the task easily and quickly with minimal stress for everyone!
Other than the “word baggage” here, this section looks great! Keep up the good work <33
Friendly Ghost
I’m a very extroverted person and I love being around people <3 I’m always as kind as I can be and I try always try to be myself–a silly, kind, approachable person who’s there if you need a laugh or need someone to rant to. I love talking to anyone and everyone, and I’m always there to lend an ear and to lift people up–when someone isn’t happy I always try to change that <3
۩ Collaboration & AssetsVery tiny thing here but you already mentioned you were extroverted and you loved people earlier in the app, making this a bit redundant.
I am extremely extroverted, and I love people–anything from being on a team to just talking to someone brings a smile to my face <33 Working with amazing people from all over the world is one of the main reasons I always apply for a leadership position in SWC!!
Through SWC, I have learned and improved on many leadership and collaboration skills, and I’m very proud of the arsenal I’ve built up <3Same thing here, you mentioned most of this sentence earlier in the app already.
My first strength is I always do everything I can to create a warm and welcoming environment where everyone feels comfortable to share their ideas and be themselves. Another strength of mine is that I treat everyone as an equal, and make sure everyone on the team is heard and is contributing to the whole of the project, and that everyone is happy with what we’re headed towards.Awesome answer here! I love reading people's One Quality answers
However, I am a people-pleaser. I’m afraid of making people unhappy or upset with me, and if I do end up accidentally getting on someone’s bad side, I’ll feel absolutely terrible and do everything I can to redeem myself. So to avoid this, I’ve ended up going along with things that make other people happy, even if I’m not, and I’m usually too anxious and scared to voice my discontent.
Another thing I struggle with is telling someone no. At some point, especially if you’re a cabin leader, you’ll have to say no to someone’s idea, usually because there’s no way to do it in the time you have left or it just doesn’t fit with the plot at all. And for the same reason as above, I struggle with shooting down people’s ideas, no matter how nicely I phrase it.
I’ve worked on dealing with both of these by phrasing everything as kindly as I can whenever I have to say no and by making sure I am voicing my opinions and am happy with what’s being planned. I have a long way to go, but it’s definitely less terrifying than it used to be ahahaha ^^”
One final thing that can be counted as both a strength and a weakness depending on the situation is that I usually take everyone’s ideas and combine them into something everyone’s happy with and excited about; something that’s a little bit of everyone <3
However, this can lead to the team having an unclear plan and too much to accomplish, and I’ve been working on figuring out when and when not to do this
Finally, the assets I’d bring would be a fun-loving, friendly individual who is skilled in art and graphic design, is overflowing with ideas, and has an endless love of writing and of SWC <3Drawing Ghost
Art has been a big part of my life since I was very young. I’ve been drawing for most of my life, and while I mainly draw people, animals and scenery are also things I’m working to improve on. I’ve also worked on doing more digital art and animations, which is on display in my app
۩ One Quality
There are so many qualities to value in a good leader. But to me right now, the most important thing is community. A leader who is able to create and maintain a community is an excellent leader. Having a community makes everyone feel welcome, more comfortable, builds lasting friendships, and it makes them more approachable! I will embody this trait by creating a strong community and a plotline that’s interactive and moving but not overwhelming. I want to make a place where campers can be themselves and have fun, bonding over the storyline and joking competitiveness, similar to cabins I’ve seen in the past like Thriller Escape Rooms (March 2023), Mystery Mansion (November 2023), and Fairy Tales (March 2024)! Another thing I want to place a huge focus on is the enjoyment of writing. Writing is something everyone who writes should have fun doing, and I really want to make sure that’s at the core of the cabin <3
And that's (almost) the end of the critique! I really hope that this critique helped, and I apologize if I got a little annoying haha. This app is stunning–I was in awe reading through it the first time! You have a great sense of humor and your kind personality really shines through every answer. In conclusion, here are some final notes:Nature Ghost
I’m a very outdoorsy person. I grew up exploring outside, and I know a lot about the natural world that surrounds us <3 I collect rocks and grow/study plants, but most of all I love animals <33
۩ Cabin Atmosphere
A fun and welcoming cabin with a focus on in-cabin bonding and a dynamic storyline, (cabin) is a place where you’ll make new friends, forge new memories, and have an experience you’ll never forget!
(198 characters)Dream Ghost
I have always had big dreams! My current biggest one is publishing my novel, but I also dream about being a singer/songwriter, being better at aerial arts, and getting a brand new iPad ✨
۩ Checkboxes & More
(x) I will be able to help add points in the main cabin consistently throughout camp
(x) I’m willing to share a promotional project for SWC
I can complete all leadership responsibilities!
In the event of inactivity by someone on my cabin’s leadership team, I will discuss and figure out the best way for the team to move forward–this could look like trying to reach out to the inactive person, and if that fails, dividing up the inactive person’s responsibilities, or asking the hosts for permission to get a new co. In the event of my own inactivity, I’ll do my best to let the hosts and my leadership team know that I’m going to be inactive, how long I will be inactive, and if I can still complete my responsibilities or if I’ll need to step back for a bit or drop out.
- Remember to chop out unneeded words!
- Condense sentences when possible to help cut down on the word count
- Use contractions whenever you can. I didn't mention it earlier in the critique, but I noticed several instances where you used words like “I am” instead of “I'm,” which adds to the word count bulk
- Keep being awesome
(now time to go work on my app, which i've been procrastinating on sob)
Last edited by ChueyTheCat (Sept. 18, 2024 18:43:16)
- booklover883322
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Scratcher
500+ posts
swc megathread ⌘ july '24
Critique for Chuey!
About Me
No notes for this aside from the fact that you’re hilarious- XD I love reading what you have to say. You perfectly showcase your personality through the word choice and tone. Great job!
Experience
I think that this is great! One thing I would suggest would be to add an extra item to the list. Have you served in the children’s ministry at your church? Have you contributed to your youth group somehow? I would add something else, even something small so that your ‘resume’ seems more well-rounded and filled out.
Cabin Preferences
No notes! Great work! I think the list makes sense! There aren’t any repeats, at least to my knowledge.
Excerpt
No notes- again- I think it’s great! Shows great writing skill, and focuses on good use of figurative language.
Time Dedication
Time Management
I liked how you started with your weaknesses first! It’s a nice choice that I don’t see a lot in leader apps. No notes! (The extended use of the boat analogy was such a good choice too!)
Collaboration and Assets
One Quality, Atmosphere, and Checkboxes
Great job on all of these! No notes here!
Overall Notes
Great job! I have no idea if you've applied before, but it certainly seems like you've got a lot of experience with these types of things! You did a wonderful job and I'm wishing you all the best! When revising, I'd watch out for sentences that include too many ideas, or run-on sentences. It's important that the app is easy to read as well, so maybe choose to do some more paragraph breaks? All in all, amazing job! You've got this!
About Me
No notes for this aside from the fact that you’re hilarious- XD I love reading what you have to say. You perfectly showcase your personality through the word choice and tone. Great job!
Experience
I think that this is great! One thing I would suggest would be to add an extra item to the list. Have you served in the children’s ministry at your church? Have you contributed to your youth group somehow? I would add something else, even something small so that your ‘resume’ seems more well-rounded and filled out.
Cabin Preferences
No notes! Great work! I think the list makes sense! There aren’t any repeats, at least to my knowledge.
Excerpt
No notes- again- I think it’s great! Shows great writing skill, and focuses on good use of figurative language.
Time Dedication
Oh, and I have church on Sunday mornings and Sunday and Wednesday evenings, so I won't be online during those times.This is a bit nit-picky, but I’d reword it so it says, “I also have church on Sunday mornings and Sunday and Wednesday evenings, so I won't be online during those times.”
Time Management
I liked how you started with your weaknesses first! It’s a nice choice that I don’t see a lot in leader apps. No notes! (The extended use of the boat analogy was such a good choice too!)
Collaboration and Assets
I tend to want to bite off more than I can chew and execute big fancy ideas when a simpler one would not only suffice but work better.This sentence is great, but I’d consider breaking it up into smaller pieces.
Because of this, I would make sure to run things by my team first to confirm that my idea was both something we could execute in a timely manner, was the best fit for the situation, and was something we were willing to commit to.I’d also reword and break this guy up into something like this, “Because of this, I would make sure to run things by my team first. I’d confirm that my idea was something we could execute in a timely manner, something we were willing to commit to, and the best fit for the situation.”
And is this something that I actually want to do?A bit of a nitpick again, but I’d remove the and.
One Quality, Atmosphere, and Checkboxes
Great job on all of these! No notes here!
Overall Notes
Great job! I have no idea if you've applied before, but it certainly seems like you've got a lot of experience with these types of things! You did a wonderful job and I'm wishing you all the best! When revising, I'd watch out for sentences that include too many ideas, or run-on sentences. It's important that the app is easy to read as well, so maybe choose to do some more paragraph breaks? All in all, amazing job! You've got this!
- Zyzeryko
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Scratcher
100+ posts
swc megathread ⌘ july '24
One quality;
There are so many qualities to value in a leader—empathy, honesty, communication, creativity—the list goes on and on. But if I had to pick just one, it would be determination. As a leader, it becomes increasingly hard to succeed at something without the determination to accomplish it! As someone who deeply values this trait, I am proud of myself for my lack of willingness to give up no matter the situation. I feel confident saying I would use this ability throughout the session to push through barriers, such as deadlines or lack of motivation, in order to make good on my promises and my responsibility as a leader
time mana
- Scheduling out projects and making time for what we aim to accomplish is something I consider myself to be good at–by thinking ahead about what has to be done to successfully complete something on time, not only does it reduce stress on everyone, it becomes much easier to meet that expectation. I frequently use this to plan out my online content, ensuring I have enough time to complete every video/post (without stress) while still maintaining consistency.
- My ability to work extremely quickly without sacrificing quality, creativity, or the input from other team members is a skill I value greatly. It allows me get a lot done within a short period, leaving us extra time to improve when we meet deadlines early. In the past, I'll admit I've used my rapid speed to counter my procrastination–but
- One thing I am trying to work on at the moment is my lack of commitment to projects. It is very difficult for me to sit down and focus on completing a project with no set due date or finish line–all my unfinished novels are the proof of this. I'm currently trying to tackle this by setting a timer, and then sitting down and starting–all the while telling myself its not about how MUCH I get done, but about how LONG I work on this project for. This trick has helped me out a ton, and I'm excited to try it in this upcoming session!
There are so many qualities to value in a leader—empathy, honesty, communication, creativity—the list goes on and on. But if I had to pick just one, it would be determination. As a leader, it becomes increasingly hard to succeed at something without the determination to accomplish it! As someone who deeply values this trait, I am proud of myself for my lack of willingness to give up no matter the situation. I feel confident saying I would use this ability throughout the session to push through barriers, such as deadlines or lack of motivation, in order to make good on my promises and my responsibility as a leader
time mana
- Scheduling out projects and making time for what we aim to accomplish is something I consider myself to be good at–by thinking ahead about what has to be done to successfully complete something on time, not only does it reduce stress on everyone, it becomes much easier to meet that expectation. I frequently use this to plan out my online content, ensuring I have enough time to complete every video/post (without stress) while still maintaining consistency.
- My ability to work extremely quickly without sacrificing quality, creativity, or the input from other team members is a skill I value greatly. It allows me get a lot done within a short period, leaving us extra time to improve when we meet deadlines early. In the past, I'll admit I've used my rapid speed to counter my procrastination–but
- One thing I am trying to work on at the moment is my lack of commitment to projects. It is very difficult for me to sit down and focus on completing a project with no set due date or finish line–all my unfinished novels are the proof of this. I'm currently trying to tackle this by setting a timer, and then sitting down and starting–all the while telling myself its not about how MUCH I get done, but about how LONG I work on this project for. This trick has helped me out a ton, and I'm excited to try it in this upcoming session!
Last edited by Zyzeryko (Sept. 20, 2024 02:20:34)
- Froggola
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Scratcher
500+ posts
swc megathread ⌘ july '24
Bakery .. Sarah's November 2024 (co)leader application : Text Version
March ‘23 - dystopian camper
July ‘23 - tctwnw co
Nov ‘23 - fairy tales co
July ‘24 - horror co
Aside from SWC, I’ve also been apart of other scratch writing camps such as JWC, which I was a co in, and FWC.
I have been apart of a couple of non writing scratch camps as well. I’ve co-led SRC, and hosted one session of SNC. Off of scratch, I have started to go to our local temple more and volunteer to help kids learn my first language. I’ve been writing since second grade, in Hilroy notebooks, which I still keep to this day- they’re filled with a ton of my short stories I made up when I was younger. I was also apart of my school’s student council two years ago.
While I do love all sorts of themes, there are three that I’m a especially huge fan of and are at the way top of my list (not in order):
-Adventure
-Sci-fi
-Mystery
As for tctwnw, I’m more interested in a competitive cabin this session, since the competition is one of my favorite things in swc.
Here are some theme ideas I have:
Sci-Fi: Campers are lost in time, and they have no idea where or /when/ they are. They were testing out the time machine they’d built, and to their surprise, it worked. But not exactly how they were expecting. It sent them all to a random time, and even worse, the machine broke. Will they be able to make it back to their set time, or will they be stuck there forever?
Mystery: Campers are invited to a prestigious art gallery, where they view the newest modern art pieces, and meet the artists. Everything seems to be off to a smooth start, until a body is discovered. Someone was found d3ad in one of the art rooms, and conveniently, the cameras were turned off as well. Campers must find the person that did it.. before anymore of them are lost.
Adventure: A choose your own adventure theme. Campers were apart of an expedition, a team that was sent out to map the Archipelago. On their journey to the first islands, their ship was damaged by the waters, and they were stranded on an island. Campers are given multiple choices on how they would like their storyline to proceed once they reach a particular word goal or cabin wide goal.
✔ I'm willing to share a promotional project for SWC
B. There are no leadership responsibilities I cannot complete in the FAQ, I am able to complete all of them
C.In the situation that I, or a (co)leader in my cabin falls inactive, for my inactivity, I’d let them know ahead of time before going inactive, and I would most likely have enough time to quickly finish any small projects I’m working on. I would let my (co)leaders and hosts know. If my (co)leader went inactive, I would first wait at least 2-3 days, in case they come back, before notifying a host. I would go over whatever they were working on to know what needs to be completed.
Thank you for reading through my app! <3
About me:Hey, hello, howdy! I’m Sarah, your local art enthusiast, and night owl. My pronouns are she/her and I live in the land of PST. As you can probably tell, i really like to draw/paint which is why I chose to draw the graphics for my application. I also like to do crafts, which is why my room is decorated with tons of butterflies I’ve cut out and hung. Other hobbies of mine include writing, reading, baking, fishing (which I’ve just recently found as fun), soccer and volleyball. I’m a huge soccer fan and will probably be going to the next world cup which is being held in Canada where I live- Whoop whoop! I like to read and write in the genres dystopian or fantasy. My current favorite books are six of crows and the cruel prince. Fandoms I’m apart of are hp, kotlc and atla. I’m waiting (not so) patiently for the next kotlc book to come out. I’ve recently gotten into listening to music more, and I mostly listen to Sabrina Carpenter, emei, and enhypen. I’m not /that/ into Sabrina Carpenter, it’s just that some of her songs are pretty catchy. My absolute favorite band is enhypen and I’m a huge engene c: The songs I usually have playing on repeat are fatal trouble, XO, brought the heat back, moonstruck, and polaroid love.
Experience:This session will be my fifth session in SWC. I’ve campered once and co-led three times. Here’s the list of my swc sessions:
March ‘23 - dystopian camper
July ‘23 - tctwnw co
Nov ‘23 - fairy tales co
July ‘24 - horror co
Aside from SWC, I’ve also been apart of other scratch writing camps such as JWC, which I was a co in, and FWC.
I have been apart of a couple of non writing scratch camps as well. I’ve co-led SRC, and hosted one session of SNC. Off of scratch, I have started to go to our local temple more and volunteer to help kids learn my first language. I’ve been writing since second grade, in Hilroy notebooks, which I still keep to this day- they’re filled with a ton of my short stories I made up when I was younger. I was also apart of my school’s student council two years ago.
Genres:I’m honestly not incredibly picky when it comes to genres, and I really would love to be able to camp/(co)lead in all of them. Because of that, genres I’ve already been apart of, such as non-fi, fairy tales, or horror, are themes I would be least likely to choose.
While I do love all sorts of themes, there are three that I’m a especially huge fan of and are at the way top of my list (not in order):
-Adventure
-Sci-fi
-Mystery
As for tctwnw, I’m more interested in a competitive cabin this session, since the competition is one of my favorite things in swc.
Here are some theme ideas I have:
Sci-Fi: Campers are lost in time, and they have no idea where or /when/ they are. They were testing out the time machine they’d built, and to their surprise, it worked. But not exactly how they were expecting. It sent them all to a random time, and even worse, the machine broke. Will they be able to make it back to their set time, or will they be stuck there forever?
Mystery: Campers are invited to a prestigious art gallery, where they view the newest modern art pieces, and meet the artists. Everything seems to be off to a smooth start, until a body is discovered. Someone was found d3ad in one of the art rooms, and conveniently, the cameras were turned off as well. Campers must find the person that did it.. before anymore of them are lost.
Adventure: A choose your own adventure theme. Campers were apart of an expedition, a team that was sent out to map the Archipelago. On their journey to the first islands, their ship was damaged by the waters, and they were stranded on an island. Campers are given multiple choices on how they would like their storyline to proceed once they reach a particular word goal or cabin wide goal.
Excerpt:link to the excerpt
Time dedication:October to November is a pretty empty month for me. I don’t have any long events that would affect my activity hugely, but sports and school might slow things down a little. I have sports everyday throughout November and October, so I won’t be able to be on SWC until at least around 5-6pm. Despite that, I know I’ll be able to dedicate at least one or two hours a day towards planning, and the session. I’ll make sure to be online enough for everything to run smoothly. As of now, I have zero plans to go inactive during the next two months, but if something happens to pop up, I’ll most likely still have enough time to complete little tasks, let my (co)leaders and the hosts know about it, rather than just disappearing.
Time managementTime management isn’t one of my most strongest suits. I have quite a few weaknesses when it comes to this, but I’ve been working hard to fix them over time. Starting off on a more positive note, my strengths in time management includes: flexibility, pacing, goal setting, and prioritization. I’m pretty flexible when it comes to moving around my schedule, and I’m good at making time for new projects to fit into. I’ve learned to leave time between everything in case something else pops up that I need to finish as well. When it comes to working on big projects, for example, my app, another one of my strengths is being able to pace out the work into reasonable time spans. I was pretty busy in the first couple days after leader apps came out, so I set myself goals for finishing it. I would split the workload into groups, and set those groups out onto the days I had left to finish everything. This helps so that I don’t rush to complete half of it in one day, which burns me out, and then procrastinate for the next couple days, just to have to scramble to finish the other half in the remaining time. I prioritize the important projects first, and finish them, or get the hard part over with, before working on the less important ones. As for my weaknesses, I struggle with procrastination, like I have over the sessions. No matter how much I tell myself I’m going to finish something, I always end up procrastinating, even if only for a short time. It happens to chip off quite a bit of my time. Deadlines and I don’t go so well together, so sometimes, I end up procrastinating on most of the work right up until the last few days. I get distracted pretty easily as well. When I’m working on something, I might randomly click back onto scratch and start scrolling through projects for 10 minutes or so. I’ve sat there actually just staring at my wall for 2 minutes while writing part of this app, and I don’t even know what I was thinking about. I try to avoid this by having only the tabs that I really need open, and not having any extra tabs there for me to be tempted to click on. Even though I’m flexible with my time, I still end up doing too much of something, and neglecting breaks and me times. I tend to work until I break some of the time.
One quality:The quality I value most in a leader is activity. An active leader motivates and engages those around them, which makes the session much more enjoyable, rather than just being a chore to write. Activity creates a lively environment with a more interactive experience. This makes the session memorable, with something to hold onto, so when asked, they can always tell you about what their favorite part of it was. I find that cabins with the most active leaders have the busiest comment section, and often finish higher in the ranks from all the activity. I’m going to be pretty active during this session, and will always pop in the comments of the cabin and the main cabin a couple times a day. When planning the theme, I would try to make it as intractable as possible. I’d do my best to help anyone who needs it, and be involved in everything going on.
Collaboration:My strengths in collaboration are: coordination, communication and patience. I always make sure that everyone is on the same page, and that we’re all agreeing with the following. I can contribute my own ideas while listening to others. I’m able to coordinate my own strengths with those of others, since everything requires multiple strengths. Working with others can sometimes be a slow process, which makes things a little hard to decide. I’m patient, and which maintains a positive space, and helps come to a result that everyone has been able to pitch in on, and is happy with. I’m open minded and always considerate of other ideas. My weakness in collaboration is being a perfectionist. I spend too much time focusing on details and making sure everything is perfect. This makes me cut too close to the deadline, which is disappointing for the people I’m working with and makes it harder to put everything together for a final result.
Atmosphere:a friendly and lively environment, where campers are able to interact with the storyline and get to know each other, while improving writing skills. (150 characters)
Checkboxes:✔ I will be available to add points in the main cabin consistently throughout camp
✔ I'm willing to share a promotional project for SWC
B. There are no leadership responsibilities I cannot complete in the FAQ, I am able to complete all of them
C.In the situation that I, or a (co)leader in my cabin falls inactive, for my inactivity, I’d let them know ahead of time before going inactive, and I would most likely have enough time to quickly finish any small projects I’m working on. I would let my (co)leaders and hosts know. If my (co)leader went inactive, I would first wait at least 2-3 days, in case they come back, before notifying a host. I would go over whatever they were working on to know what needs to be completed.
Thank you for reading through my app! <3
Last edited by Froggola (Sept. 19, 2024 03:41:18)
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