Making summertime plans for the kids? The Vancouver Public Library plays host July 9 to 13 to the Canadian Book Camp, a reading and writing retreat for kids age 11 and up. Dennis Foon, a local playwright and screenwriter is one children's author taking part. He says the camp's benefits are many: "I never met an artist or a writer or anybody until I was in university," Foon said from his Vancouver home. "So it never felt like anything that was possible. I always assumed that writers were either very old or dead." Foon, who's now working on screenplays with Vic Sarin and Mina Shum, is looking forward to the experience: "It's a wonderful opportunity. Nothing beats being with kids that are motivated." The camp (split between 11-to-13-year-olds and 14 and up) runs daily from 9 to 3, with a Friday gala until 6:30 p.m., and costs $185. For more info, a list of instructors, and registration, visit www.vpl.ca/YSP/bookcamp.html