creative writing summer camp 2022

CLICK HERE TO EXPLORE OUR WORKSHOPS, CAMPS, 1:1 SESSIONS, AND MORE!

Collection: Creative Writing Summer Camps

Creative writing summer camp - full-day 9am-3:30pm, creative writing summer camp - morning session 9am-12pm, creative writing summer camp - afternoon session 12:30-3:30pm, emergent writers exclusive creative writing summer camp, teen only exclusive creative writing summer camp, online exclusive creative writing summer camp, write on creative writing center gift card, subscribe to our emails.

Be the first to know about new collections and exclusive offers.

• Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
• Opens in a new window.

In-Person & Online Camps For K-12 Students Creative Writing Camp

REGISTER TODAY

We live in a creative world where ideas, collaboration, and adaptability are a must–and writing is essential. So how do we prepare our children for their future? How do we ensure that they become thoughtful leaders for change, passionate learners, and curious thinkers we need to improve our world? Through Creative Writing Camp, young people discover the power within themselves – to create, innovate, and connect with others.  

The Only Place Where Children Learn from Talented Educators & Writers

In addition to being accomplished educators working in classrooms year-round, many have Masters and Ph.D.s in writing and education and are published authors. Our instructors are experts at this, and they’re ready to help your child shine.

How We Measure Up

For 20 years, Dr. Carl Scott of the University of St. Thomas has evaluated the success of the program and found students improved in writing skills, creativity and self-confidence.

How Creativity Leads to Success

According to Becoming Brilliant: What Science Tells Us about Raising Successful Children (Kathy Hirsh-Pasek and Roberta Golinkoff), what children most need for 21st-century learning are the 6Cs: collaboration, communication, content, critical thinking, creative innovation and confidence.

Creative Writing Camp works because it’s where writing is an exploration. It’s where one day your child will create their own map to a planet they’ve just discovered, and the next day they’re writing the ending to a 3-act play with a group of friends. It’s where they’ll publish their first poem. It’s where they’ll begin to see what they can become. Whether they’re not sure how to get started or they already write a million pages a day, they’ll feel at home writing here. This is where the spark of invention begins.

GET STARTED

Register Today

Please read through the information below and view the embedded tutorial videos to make the process as smooth as possible.

The 3-step process for registering includes: Step 1 - Family Account setup Step 2 - Pre-registration application for your student(s) Step 3 - Registration.

If you completed Steps 1 and 2 during the Pre-registration period between Jan. 16-29, please proceed to Step 3. All others should start at Step 1.

Note: Completion of Steps 1 and 2 during the Pre-registration period does not guarantee your student(s) a place in camp.

A Family Account is required to register a student for our 2024 Creative Writing Camp. To register a student for camp, a parent/guardian must create a Family Account using their own name in order to successfully begin the pre-registration application process. Once you have set up your account, you will be able to add your student(s)/member(s) to the Family Account. You will be able to manage all members in your Family Account.

Note: If you created a Family Account when registering for a previous summer's CWC, please use your existing account.

Should you need step-by-step instructions, we have created a brief video tutorial to help guide you through the Family Account Set up. 

Video Tutorial - Create a Family Account

Video Tutorial - Manage Your Members

After setting up or logging into your Family Account, including adding student(s)/member(s) you plan to register for camp, you are now ready to complete the parent permissions application for each student. Cick “New Application” in the menu options of your Family Account, then “More Information” and “Apply Now.” You will now be able to “Start” CWC pre-registration for your student(s)/member(s). During the application process, there are six “To Do” pages to complete for each student. As you complete each page, you will see a green check mark next to each page to reflect your progress. To move to Step 3, Registration, you must complete all “To Do” items in order to submit the parent permissions application. Completing these “To Dos” will take approximately 10 minutes per student/member.

Before you begin Step 2: “Pre-registration”, you will need the following:

• Medical Insurance Information
• Emergency Contact Information
• Contact Information for an alternate authorized person to pick up your student(s), if applicable.

Note: If registering for virtual camps, a unique email address is required for each student you plan to register.

Video Tutorial - Submitting Student Applications

Once you have successfully completed all six “To-Dos” in the Pre-Registration Application (Step 2) and they reflect “Complete,” you will be able to register and complete the payment process for your student(s).

Please use the following instructions to complete the registration process. Should it be helpful, you can download the Registration Instructions .

Registration Instructions

1.   Scroll down on this webpage to the listing of the Camps available.

2.   Select a camp, and this will take you to the cart. If you want to select an additional camp, click the Back button on your browser, or click “Keep Shopping” in the Cart.

3.   When you are finished selecting camp/s, click “Checkout.”

4.   If you have already completed pre-registration, log in under “I have a Family Account already.” If you haven’t already completed pre-registration, please go back up to “How to Set Up a Family Account – Step 1” above.

5.   At the cart screen, click on “Add/Remove Members” for a camp selection, and in the pop-up window select the student for that camp. Then click on “Enroll Members.” Repeat this step for additional camps selected, if any.

6.   If you are registering 2 or more students, the siblings discount will be automatically applied at the end of the checkout process. If it’s not automatically applied, please check "Apply a Discount" in the Cart, then select "SLC CWC Siblings" from the dropdown menu to apply the discount.

7.   Click on “Checkout.”

8.   Now, you will select the t-shirt size for your child/ren. Click on the plus sign on the far right of their name and then click on the pull-down menu to see the sizes. Select the size. Repeat this step for each student and click on “Continue Checkout.”

9.   Next, click on “View Members” for each camp to confirm you selected the correct student for the camp. Click on “Continue checkout.”

10.  Enter your credit card information and click “Continue.”

11.  Next, check your email for confirmation of your registration. Note: reception of email may take a few minutes.

Note: Completion of Pre-registration between Jan. 16-26 does not guarantee your student(s) place in camp.

Virtual Camp Single Student - $495

On-Campus Single Student - $525

Sibling Discount (Two or more) – 5% discount per student

The sibling discount will be applied automatically to your cart during Step 3: Registration. You must register two or more at the same time to be eligible for this discount.

Just Write It! Our signature camp experience for incoming K – 12th grade students, in-person and online

Jump into the magic of creative writing! This course offers an array of fun, interactive writing activities and customized exercises designed to help students develop their unique voices, broaden their imaginations, and boost their confidence as writers. With the help of professional writers and teachers, students will explore a range of poetry, prose, and creative nonfiction as they use their writing to investigate their worlds and examine issues that are important to them. During the week, students will peer review each other’s work, and receive feedback from their instructors. Students will share their creations at a celebration on the last day of camp and take home a portfolio of their collected work.

Magical Worlds (6th/7th) Do you enjoy folklore, stories with magical settings, characters with superhuman abilities? As far back as ancient times, people have lived by the phrase, “Life is what you make it so make the best of it.” In this playful course you will do just that—build your own world! Guided by your writing coaches you will learn the basics of worldbuilding and create, explore and develop your own original world. You will delve into narrative genres such as science fiction, fantasy, and superhero fiction as you explore writings with a fantastical edge. You will leave with the tools needed to help you create new worlds in a variety of genres.

Nature: A Writing Inspiration (6th/7th) “Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts…. Rachel Carson

A wooded pass covered in freshly fallen leaves, or perhaps a thunderstorm rolling in through the evening sky. Nature has a way of capturing the eye, and inspiring those who gaze upon its natural beauty. Through this course students will have a chance to experience writing that centers nature as its inspiration. By using outside writing time as well as prompts and mentor text that show how other artists around the world have crafted writing for and inspired by the great outdoors, your young writer will be able to capture the beauty from their eyes while enjoying nature.

Focus on Fiction: Characters and Conflict (8th/9th) Dive deep into the heart of storytelling! This course is an exploration of the elements that breathe life into compelling narratives. Uncover the secrets of creating multi-dimensional characters with depth and authenticity, while also delving into the art of crafting engaging conflicts that drive your plot forward. Through a combination of insightful discussions, writing exercises, and constructive feedback, you will hone your skills in character development and conflict resolution—the tools you need to captivate readers and weave unforgettable tales!

Uncanny and Unreal: Adventures in Sci-Fi and Fantasy Writing (8th/9th) Embark on a captivating journey into the extraordinary realms of science fiction and fantasy. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned fantasy writer, discover the secrets of crafting immersive worlds, creating compelling characters, and mastering intricate plots in speculative fiction with other fantasy fanatics. From the art of genre blending to developing your unique voice, this course offers a dynamic blend of writing exercises, workshops, and collaborative discussions, providing the tools and inspiration to bring your wildest imaginings to life on the page. Join us and unleash your creativity in the fantastical landscapes of the uncanny and unreal.

The Art of the Essay (10th/12th) The history of the essay finds its origins in the core Renaissance ideal of “rebirth.” This course will allow you to give “new life” to the art of essay writing by asking you to examine your personal story and connect it to a broader world of concepts and ideas. We’ll analyze this important and passionate literary form that will take your writing beyond familiar boundaries. We’ll experiment with fun, contemporary non-fiction forms like flash non-fiction, recipe writing, humor, and even lampoon to expand and sharpen your essay writing skills. Through the writing workshop model of peer review, you will work with your fellow writers to hone techniques and approaches, and you will leave with a portfolio of several completed essays.

Begin the registration process by finding your grade level and campus below. Please note camps often fill up quickly. You must complete checkout to secure your spot. If your desired camp is not visible, then it is currently at capacity.

Filter by grade:

Registration for Creative Writing Camp 2024 opens Monday, Jan 29! Sign up below to be the first to know when registration opens.

Camps loading...

Dates, Locations and Grade-levels for Creative Writing Camp 2024

Choose among five in-person camp locations, or an online option for campers anywhere!

Frequently Asked Questions

For questions about Creative Writing Camp programming – Please leave a voice messagefor School Literacy and Culture at 713-348-5333 or Writer’s in the Schools at 713-523-3877. Your message will be answered as soon as possible. For technical help with registration, please contact 713-348-4803.

Seats may become available due to cancellations or the opening of new classes. Please check the website often to see if any seats have opened at a particular campus. Creative Writing Camp does not have a waitlist.

If you are enrolling your child in the 2024 Rice + WITS Creative Writing Camp, you have read and understand the following cancellation and refund policy:

A 10 percent processing fee will be subtracted from all refunds. Due to the high demand for courses, registrations are considered final 30 days before classes start. No refunds will be issued after these dates and credits will not be given for future classes. No refunds will be granted for participants who miss a portion of a program. Refund requests before the deadline must be made in writing to  [email protected] . Refunds for credit card payments will be processed as credits to the accounts from which they were paid and may not appear as a credit on your statement for up to four to six weeks. Refunds for enrollments paid by check take up to four to six weeks to be processed and mailed by the Rice University accounting office. There is a $30 charge for any check returned for insufficient funds.

If multiple children are registered and have received the sibling discount, and later one or more registrations are canceled so that only one child remains registered, the remaining child's registration will be adjusted to the full price, and a refund for the appropriate amount will be issued.

A limited number of scholarships are available based on financial need. Please make your request by emailing [email protected] and an application form will be sent to you. Submitting a scholarship application does not guarantee receiving a scholarship. Please note if your child was awarded a scholarship last summer, you are not eligible to apply for the upcoming summer.

After you create your Family Account, please save your credentials. To revisit your Family Account, you can save the link to login or click on the link directly from the Creative Writing Camp webpage. To access your account, use the login username and password credentials and follow the login instructions. If you no longer know or have access to your credentials, please follow the Forget Password instructions directly on the login page. GO TO FAMILY ACCOUNT

All classes will be team-taught with class sizes capped at approximately 20 students.

• Health and safety protocols for each camp session will be dependent upon campus-based policies in effect at the time camp is offered.
• Participating campers will be invited to bring basic supplies (paper, pencils, colored pencils, crayons, markers, small watercolor kits) for individual use throughout the week of camp.
• Classes will be divided into age-level groupings that may include students from more than one grade level.  Based on enrollment, classes may include students from more than one grade level.
• Creative writing and fine arts activities will be planned by highly qualified teacher/writer pairs and feature low staff-to-camper ratios.

Friend requests may be made in the student's Pre-registration application. Requests are not guaranteed but we will do our best to grant them.

Focus groups of professional writers and highly effective teachers have come together to craft this exciting online approach to Creative Writing Camp, which has received positive reviews from parents and students since its inception in 2020. Wherever possible, student experiences will draw upon our traditional camp model, but we will also embrace this opportunity to explore new approaches and think creatively. Join us as we explore just what is possible in a virtual environment!

All classes will be team-taught with class sizes capped at approximately 20 students. Classes will be divided into age-level groups:

• Morning: 3rd–5th grade
• Afternoon: 6th–8th and 9th–12th grade

Classes for younger students will include a combination of:

• Live community-building activities
• Live large and small group times that might include anything from the reading of a great children’s book as inspiration for creative writing to a virtual field trip
• Live story dictation activities with a teacher and
• “Center time” featuring pre-recorded activities and a wealth of independent art and extension projects to enjoy at your family’s convenience.

Classes for older students will include:

• Live large and small group times
• Live personalized consultation with experienced writers/teachers and
• Independent pre-recorded activities and extension projects to enjoy at your family’s convenience.
• All camp courses will utilize the Canvas learning platform. Each student will need a unique e-mail address to access the system. Emails are to be provided by the parents.
• Students will also need a laptop, tablet or phone to access the course, but we recommend a laptop or tablet. The best user experience is achieved through the Google Chrome web browser. If using a tablet or phone, download the Canvas Student app to access the course.
• Each student will need a notebook, journal, or folder with blank paper and writing implements such as pencils, pens, and markers.
• Extension activities will utilize basic arts and crafts materials such as scissors, colored paper, glue, watercolors, etc. that students typically use at school. Parents will not be asked to buy specific art materials.
•  All families will be asked to complete a “tech check” the week before their virtual camp session. Support staff will be available for assistance that day should families have any challenges logging into the system.
• During “tech check” students will be able to “meet” their teachers as they view pre-recorded videos uploaded by the teachers and writers leading the course. Students will also be asked to record their own introductory video to share with their classmates.
• “Tech check” will also provide an opportunity for parents to receive more detailed information regarding each class’s daily schedule, should they have a need for specifics.

Finally, should families have challenges with technology at any point during the camp experience, they will be able to connect directly with IT support staff via phone or e-mail. 713-348-4803 or [email protected]

Creative Writing Camp is a collaboration between Writers in the Schools and Rice University’s School Literacy and Culture and has inspired young writers for over 30 years. Our online and in-person camps deep dive into writing topics that hone creativity and prepare students for future success. With low student-teacher ratios and mentorship from professional writers, Creative Writing Camp offers a writer’s workshop experience!

SIGN UP TO STAY IN THE KNOW

Get information.

Yale Young Writers' Workshop

You are here.

About the Yale Young Writers' Workshop 

Virtual high school program: july 7 - 12, 2024.

Yale is excited to offer a one-week online summer writing workshop for 16 - 18 year old rising high school juniors, and seniors. We’re seeking bookish wordsmiths interested in adding to their writerly toolbox! Writers will generate and share their work in an intimate, non-competitive, online community.

Writers choose from one of three genres: fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. We have capped the workshops at twelve writers per genre to ensure all voices are heard. Participants attend talks on the craft of writing, open mics, faculty and visiting author readings, student readings, and learn about careers in writing.

Each day starts with a craft talk from a visiting writer followed by a small group workshop for three hours in the afternoon. The craft talks expose writers to genres outside of their own. The workshop is a safe creative space to experiment, play, and develop storytelling skills. Students will generate new material and then read it back to the group for feedback with an eye for revision.

Participants will read one assigned book from a visiting writer prior to the start of the workshop. This will create a shared literature and allow students to investigate writing techniques from published work, and then have the opportunity to ask the author about their creative process.

Our faculty are gifted teachers and published writers. They will meet writers where they are and teach them skills to help them write their next story, essay, or poem. Our faculty may be the closest readers you’ve ever had. They will challenge writers to produce their best work.

Before You Begin the Program:

• Your instructor will assign a short exercise for you to complete before the first workshop.
• You’ll be assigned one book to read by a visiting writer. The writer will present and then visit with your genre group. Book assignments below.
• Start writing now in your journal. Activate your muse in preparation for your workshop.

Guest Authors . Writers are required to read the book for their workshop but are welcome to read all visiting authors’ work.

Poetry Guest Author - Allison Joseph  Assigned Reading Confessions of a Barefaced Woman  (For Sean Forbes and Catherine Pierce’s workshops)

Fiction Guest Author - Jennifer McCauley  Assigned Reading When Trying to Return Home  (For Jotham Burrello, Kristin Bair, and Lara Ehrlich's workshops)

Graphic Forms Guest Author - Trung Le Capecchi-Nguyen  Assigned Reading The Magic Fish  (For Anne Thalheimer's workshop)

Non-Fiction Guest Author - Jane Wong Assigned Reading This Is the Place: Women Writing About Home  (For Catina Bacote’s workshop)

• Application Opens: January 16, 2024
• Application Deadline: April 1, 2024
• Decisions Released: will be released on a Rolling Amissions Basis Every Week
• Payment Due (to secure your spot): Within 2 weeks of Admission

Eligibility:

• Applicants must be between 16 - 18 years old and a rising high school junior or senior.

Admission Process:

• A writing sample is required. It needs to accompany your application for admission and must be uploaded electronically. Submit your writing sample as a Word document: 500 words, double-spaced in Times Roman, 12-point font, one-inch margins. Each page must include your name. Note genre of the submission: Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry or Graphic Forms.
• 2 Letters of Recommendation 

Refund Policy:

• We will refund 75% for cancellation requests received by April 26, 2024, and 50% for cancellation requests received by May 3, 2024.   We will be unable to honor refund requests received after May 3, 2024.

Courses & Programs

• Courses at Yale
• Yale Summer Online
• The English Language Institute
• Conservatory for Actors
• Yale Writers' Workshop
• YYWW Faculty Bios
• Writing Workshops
• YYWW Agenda
• Programs Abroad

Iowa Young Writers' Studio

Creative writing programming for high school students

2-week Summer Residential Program and 6-week Online Courses

2-Week Summer Residential Program

At the Summer Residential Program, you will choose a single core course—Poetry, Fiction, Creative Writing, Playwriting, or TV writing—as your focus for the two weeks of the program.

6-week Online Courses

We offer asynchronous 6-week online creative writing courses for high school students every winter and summer.   You can study creative writing with us your own schedule, from anywhere in the world!

Teachers and Counselors

Teachers and counselors at the Iowa Young Writers’ Studio are chosen, with rare exceptions, from among the students and graduates of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop at the University of Iowa.

Experience the Iowa Young Writers' Studio

Watch this short video for an inside look at the Iowa Young Writers’ Studio experience.

IYWS Alum Joe Fassler To Publish Debut Novel, THE SKY WAS OURS

IYWS counselor and teacher Melissa Mogollon to publish debut novel, "Oye."

Crafting Engaging Narratives with Suzette Sheft: A Free Summer Online Workshop For Jr. High Students!

IYWS ’19 Student Alora Young Publishes Memoir in Verse

IYWS ’22 Student Publishes YA Book About Her Grandmother’s Holocaust Experience

IYWS ’11 Student Alina Grabowski To Publish Debut Novel

NOTICE: The University of Iowa Center for Advancement is an operational name for the State University of Iowa Foundation, an independent, Iowa nonprofit corporation organized as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, publicly supported charitable entity working to advance the University of Iowa. Please review its full disclosure statement.

YAWP: Young Adult Writing Program

Creative Writing Academy

• How to Apply

Transform your dreams, ideas, and stories into organized, compelling, creative written works with dynamic lectures in craft topics, workshop sessions with graduate student instructors, and insightful, productive feedback from your peers. This combination of instructional approaches will help you generate and polish a wealth of new poems, stories, and essays, and allow you to experiment with innovative forms in the field of creative writing. The Academy will also focus on the publishing and professionalization aspects of the industry, exploring what markets are available for your writing, what jobs are available to creative writers, funding opportunities for your work, undergraduate and graduate programs in writing, and how to get published. Topics for discussion will include literary form and targeted craft points, often in relation to social, political, and environmental themes. In addition, this week-long program will feature excursions to sites around Washington, D.C., including an exercise in ekphrastic writing at the National Gallery of Art and the chance to read your work aloud at Busboys and Poets, a famous D.C. literary hub.

Estimated Tuition:

Price includes tuition, housing, and meals. Commuter Student tuition is $2,625.

How You'll Benefit

• Participate in writing workshops
• Awaken your powers of observation, imagination, and description
• Learn concrete elements of the craft of writing in daily workshops
• Attend readings from published authors, who will lead interactive classes and conduct group discussions
• Work with Georgetown's expert creative writing faculty to bring out your most creative ideas
• Read excerpts from award-winning works and use them to develop your own original works
• Visit local monuments, world-renowned theaters, museums, and literary organizations
• Take part in peer critiques and learn how to revise and refine your writing

Program Format & Subject Areas

As a student in the Creative Writing Academy, you'll spend your day immersed in a blend of classroom lectures, field trips, hands-on activities, and group discussions. Throughout the week, you'll have the opportunity to explore the following subject areas:

• Personal prose
• Literary history
• Technique (story structure, character development, theme, description, dialogue)
• Finding good ideas and turning them into polished pieces
• Using great literature and art for inspiration

All in all, I fell in love with the program. I got to meet so many amazing people not only from the D.C. area but all around the country.

Having the chance to experience once in a lifetime opportunities and getting to meet people from around the world made it so I got to really experience what college life was like.

My #SummerHoya experience was enriching, inspiring, and rewarding; if I could turn back the clock, I’d do it all over again.

It was amazing to be surrounded by such high caliber students and staff who were all encouraging and fabulous to work with. I took away many positive things from my week as a Summer Hoya.

As I am filling out my college applications, I am able to think back to my memories from the summer and I am reassured that I am pursuing the right educational path.

The program offers so much–from the off-site visits to the daily lectures and the on campus activities. The lectures were interesting, meeting new people was great and the off-site visits were interactive and intriguing.

Want to learn more?

Request information to find out the latest on the Summer Programs for High School Students.

All fields are required.

• Summer 2024

* indicates required field

Creative Writing Camps Summer 2022

Check out the following terrific opportunities – in our Toronto studio and virtual – for young people who love to write. But don’t delay – time is running out!

Vikki VanSickle. photo by Connie Tsang

Creative Writing Courses with Vikki VanSickle

Celebrated novelist Vikki VanSickle is running lively and inspiring creartive writing camps with us this summer! Plot, character and description – learn these creative writing skills and more as you explore fantasy, science fiction, historical fiction, poetry, screenwriting, playwriting, journaling – the sky’s the limit! Get tips on where to submit your work: creative writing competitions, literary agents, publishers and more.

Virtual Podcasting Camp

Get your ideas and stories out there through the medium of podcasts! Bonnie Warburton will teach you how to write a compelling podcast, and help you set up a podcast studio in your home or cottage. You’ll listen to and learn from successful podcasters, and create a pilot for a podcast of your own. Whether you love writing, acting or audio recording, there’s something here for you!

Virtual Creative Writing Camp

Build plots, create characters, devise worlds and try your hand at creative writing prompts! Take your writing to the next level in this lively virtual program, ideal for writers spending the summer at their cottage, or too far from Toronto to attend in person. Finding a community of writers is the best way to keep writing – and this is a terrific opportunity to meet others who love to do what you do. Open to all writers, whatever their interests – and young people who just want to give writing a go.

Creative writing camps are fun, inspiring and a great way to cultivate both imagination and artistic community. That’s why our writers return to us year after year. But parents also know that creative writing is a great way to cultivate a love of reading, and we all know that the more we write, the better we get at it – which leads to greater confidence and improved grades in school.

Read more at https://www.centauriarts.com/academy/toronto/summer-day-camps/writing-camps/

Julie Centauri Arts Bloor West Village Toronto

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

ENROLL DONATE

• Who We Serve
• Program Logic Model
• Culture Statement
• Board of Directors
• Advisory Council
• Join the Team!
• Get Involved

What's Hot?

• WRITOPIA SPEAKS
• Creative Writing
• Essay Writing
• College Essay
• Role-Playing Games
• Debate Team
• Private Sessions & Workshops
• Specialty Genres, Events, and More
• Sleepaway Camps
• School Year
• Writopia Publishing Lab
• Worldwide Plays Festival
• Scholastic Writing Awards
• Youth Essay Conference
• Family Memoir
• Writopia Lab Salon
• Teen Intensives
• Professional Development
• Upcoming Events
• Westchester
• Program Schedules
• For Students
• For Parents
• For Educators

Summer Programs

The summer is an exciting time at Writopia Lab! We offer Half-Day and Full-Day programs that meet Monday through Friday. Our workshops are warmer and more productive than typical writing classes and courses offered for kids and teens online and in person.

Sign up for our mailing list to get the latest updates on upcoming summer programs!

Half-Day Workshops (In-Person and Online)

In both multi-genre and themed workshops, writers in age-based groups work with a published author or produced playwright (highly trained in teaching the form, genre, or topic). Participants discuss, share, develop, and complete their own original works.

Half-Day workshops meet Monday-Friday for 3-hours per day. Workshops are age-based and enroll a maximum of eight writers. Offerings include Creative Writing , Essay Writing , College Essay , Language Play (for ages 4-6), Screenwriting , Dungeons and Dragons , and more!

Click here to see Half-Day Summer workshops on the schedule!

Full-Day Camps (In-Person)

Full-Day Camps are in-person programs that include a three-hour morning workshop, an hour-long lunch break, and a three-hour block of electives or specialized activities. 

Fiction & Fun

In the mornings, writers work with a published author or produced playwright on developing and completing a piece of writing of their choosing, such as a short story, personal essay, poetry collection, or a one-act play. After the morning workshop, writers will head to a nearby park for lunch and fun outdoor activities.

In the afternoon, writers participate in two electives of their choice, ranging from filmmaking, songwriting, Dungeons and Dragons, zinemaking, worldbuilding, graphic novels, and more!

Playwriting & Performance

Young playwrights spend the mornings developing brand new plays or musicals under the guidance of a professional playwright. In the afternoons, they dive into the world of performance, with mini-workshops in character creation, theatrical design, voice and speech, and a look at acting fundamentals as they take on roles in their peers’ plays. The week will culminate in a live performance (that family and friends can watch) of original one-act plays written and performed by these young dramatists of tomorrow.

Sports Writing

Writers spend the morning in a sports-themed writing workshop where they can explore and write every form of sports writing, from reviews, to features, op-eds, and personal essays. In the afternoon, camper eat lunch in the park, participate sports and active electives, and join creative arts electives with our Fiction & Fun campers. There will also be opportunities to go on field trips to live sports events, interview athletes, and meet professional sports editors and writers.

Click here to see Full-Day Summer workshops on the schedule!

Advanced Writing Seminar (In-Person and Online)

Advanced Writing Seminar sessions are immersive, application-only programs for dedicated rising juniors, seniors, and college freshmen. Workshops are led by professional published writers and include master classes with guest instructors who are experts in their specialized field. This program is designed for teens to build up their writing portfolios and/or complete long-form projects such as novels.

Half-Day Sessions (Online)

Online half-day sessions are two-week programs that specialize in either portfolio-building or outlining and completing novels.

Full-Day Sessions (In-Person)

Full-Day sessions are one-week programs that focus on helping teens expand their writing portfolios.

The Residency in NYC

Advanced Writing Seminar: The Residency in NYC is an immersive pre-college program in partnership with Pratt Institute. Teen writers will spend the mornings in writing workshops, the afternoons in Master Classes, and the evenings in excursions and activities around New York City!

Click here to learn more about Advanced Writing Seminar!

WriCampia is our annual two-week sleepaway camp in the Berkshires. At WriCampia, writers spend their mornings in intimate writing workshops led by published authors and produced playwrights, their afternoons participating in their choice of over 20 artistic and active electives, and their evenings at campfires, scavenger hunts, readings, and more.

Click here to learn more about WriCampia!

• Half-Day Workshops
• Full-Day Camps
• Application-Only Teen Seminar

The summer is an exciting time at Writopia Lab! We offer full programs that meet Monday through Friday. Students sign up by week, and many students choose to attend for multiple weeks. Our workshops are warmer and more productive than typical writing classes and courses offered for kids and teens online and in-person.

Schedule and Registration

Half-Day workshops meet Monday-Friday for 3-hours per day. Workshops are age-based and enroll a maximum of eight writers. Offerings include Creative Writing, Essay Writing, Comedy, Screenwriting, Dungeons and Dragons, and more!

Full-Day camps are offered in-person at our Manhattan, Brooklyn, and DC labs.

In the mornings, writers ages 9 to 16 work in age-based groups with a published author or produced playwright on developing and completing a short story, poetry collection, or a one-act play. After the morning workshop, writers will head to a nearby park for lunch and fun outdoor activities.

Writers will spend the afternoon in two exciting electives of their choice, ranging from filmmaking, songwriting, sketch comedy, zinemaking, worldbuilding, poetry, photo journalism, graphic novels, and more!

In age-based groups, young playwrights spend the mornings developing brand new plays or musicals under the guidance of a professional playwright. In the afternoons, they dive into the world of performance, with mini-workshops in character creation, theatrical design, voice and speech, and a look at acting fundamentals as they take on roles in their peers’ plays. The week will culminate in a live performance (that family and friends can watch over Zoom) of original one-act plays written and performed by these young dramatists of tomorrow.

Schedule and Application

Advanced Writing Seminar sessions are immersive-two-week experiences for dedicated rising juniors, seniors, and college freshmen.

Writers will delve into their craft with published authors, and will meet and share their work with literary agents and editors. Each day will begin with a small author-led fiction workshop (8-10 participants) from 10 AM to 1 PM Eastern Time. During workshop, writers will have time to develop their own creative pieces, participate in creative writing exercises, and receive feedback on their work from the instructor and their peers. In the afternoons, writers will have the opportunity to take electives in poetry, memoir, ekphrastic writing, and more. Writers will also take part in evening readings, salons, and craft talks, as well as unstructured time to connect as a community of writers.

Advanced Writing Seminar sessions are offered online, in-person at our Manhattan and DC labs, and one special session will be offered as an overnight camp in NYC .

The summer is an exciting time at Writopia Lab! We offer full programs that meet Monday through Friday. Students sign up by week, and many students choose to attend for multiple weeks.

--> mailing list to get the latest updates on upcoming summer programs!-->