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21 Summer Writing Programs for High School Students in 2024

What’s covered:, 21 summer writing programs for high school students, how impressive are summer programs in college admissions, other ways to spend your summer.

Summer programs offer high school students an excellent opportunity to explore subjects that interest them, build valuable skills, get a taste of college life, and meet like-minded peers. They also look awesome on a college application! If you’re interested in writing, you’ll want to check out these 20 summer writing programs for high school students. 

1. Princeton Summer Journalism Program 

Dates: Classes begin mid July, residential portion is July 26 – August 5

Location: Online and in Princeton, NJ

Application deadline: February 15

The Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP) selects 40 high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds to participate in its revered program. In the PSJP, students explore current events, listen to lectures, and participate in workshops led by professional journalists and Princeton professors. The program culminates with the publication of a student-produced newspaper, the Princeton Summer Journal . To qualify for the PSJP you must: 

• Be a junior in high school
• Live in the United States and intend to attend college in the U.S.
• Have a minimum GPA of 3.5 
• Have an interest in journalism
• The combined income of custodial parent(s)/guardian(s) plus child support payments, if any, must not exceed $60,000
• Qualify for free or reduced-price lunch 
• Qualify for an SAT or ACT fee waiver

Dates: August 3 – 9

Location: Austin, Texas

Application deadline: March 1

JCamp is a free six-day program put on by the Asian American Journalist Association that brings together a culturally diverse group of students from across the U.S. Under the eye of veteran journalists and leading media executives, students take part in workshops to sharpen their journalistic skills and gain hands-on experience producing multi-platform news packages for the program’s website. JCamp is not limited to Asian American students; any student with an interest in journalism—like writing for a newspaper or magazine—is encouraged to apply. 

3. Iowa Young Writers’ Studio 2 Week Residential Program

• Session 1: June 16 – 29
• Session 2: July 14 – 27

Location: In-person in Iowa City, IA, or virtual

Application deadline: February 4

Cost: In-person: $2,500; virtual: $575

The Iowa Young Writers’ Studio provides high schoolers the incredible opportunity to have a residential experience and study with graduates of one of the most renowned writing programs in the nation: the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Participants in this program choose a focus—either poetry, fiction, creative writing, playwriting, or television writing—and share their work, practice their craft, and improve their writing while working alongside other high school writers from across the U.S. 

4. Sarah Lawerence Writers’ Week 

• Virtual: July 15 – 19
• In-person: August 5 – 9

Location: Virtual or Bronxville NY

Application deadline: TBD. Registration opens in February

Cost: Virtual: $1025; In-person: $1,550

During Sarah Lawerence Writers’ Week, participants (the program welcomes students entering the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades) explore the creative process led by esteemed Sarah Lawrence faculty and alumni. Sarah Lawerence Writing Week celebrates the risk and adventure of the creative process, fosters a non-competitive and non-judgmental environment, and keeps with the Sarah Lawrence tradition of individualized attention—groups are limited to 18 students with two faculty members per workshop. The program ends with a celebration that includes both faculty and student readings.  

5. California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA) Writing Program

Dates: July 6 – August 2

Location: Sacramento, CA

Application deadline: February 29

Cost: CA State Residents: $4,600; Out-of-state: $7,000

This summer program for high school students in California is a unique public-private partnership that was founded by the California State legislature in 1987. Approximately 70 students are selected to participate in this program led by professional writers and educators who guide them through work in fiction, poetry, non-fiction, and dramatic writing. The program prides itself on its creative environment and looks for young writers who love language, reading, and are ready to share their own stories. 

6. Juniper Young Writers Online Writing Lab 

• One-week program: July 29 – August 2
• Two-week program: July 29 – August 9

Location: Amherst, MA

Application deadline: March 7

Cost: $2,600 for one week; $4,950 for two weeks

Students in the Juniper Young Writers Online Writing Lab participate in writing sessions, share questions, and discuss their work and writing-related topics over the course of this program. Led by professional teachers, published authors, and graduate students at UMass Amherst, Writing Lab participants gain insight into the creative process, find inspiration for work, learn tips to improve their writing and develop relationships with other young writers. Students will be provided a written summary of their work, an evaluation toward writing goals, and future considerations for their writing.

7. Annenberg Youth Academy for Media and Civic Engagement (AYA) 

Dates: June 17 – July 19

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Application deadline: March 22

AYA is a free, immersive experience for talented high school students from the area surrounding USC. The program allows participants to explore USC Annenberg’s undergraduate programs, gain insight into careers in media and journalism, and meet the people advancing issues of race, gender, and ethnicity in communication and journalism. Over the course of this program, students build a variety of skills, including writing and critical thinking. 

8. Reynolds Young Writers Workshop 

Dates: June 22 – 29

Location: Granville, OH

Cost: $1,500

For more than a quarter of a century, Denison University has welcomed talented high school writers to its acclaimed Reynolds Young Writers Workshop. Led by Denison’s creative writing faculty and notable visiting writers, participants take part in small creative writing workshops and group sessions to explore a variety of writing techniques in an intimate and relaxed atmosphere.

9. Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Dates: June 23 – 28

Location: Phoenix, AZ

Application deadline: April 1

The Camp Cronkite program is a summer media enrichment camp allowing high schoolers to dive into the world of media. Led by Cronkite faculty, staff, and students, campers learn about digital journalism, broadcast journalism, or sports media. They will work on reporting, pitching, storytelling, and editing, and receive hands-on instruction in video editing, photography, reporting and writing, script development, and more. There are several scholarships available for students who demonstrate financial need. 

10. Alpha Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Workshop for Young Writers

Dates: July 24 – August 4

Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Application deadline: March 10

Over Alpha’s 12 days, students with an interest in science fiction, fantasy, or horror learn how to generate ideas, turn those ideas into drafts, critique each other’s work, make revisions, and submit their work to paying markets. The program also provides students with an introduction to college life and allows them to explore a career as a professional writer. 

11. 92Y Unterberg Poetry Center Young Writers Workshop

Dates: July 8 – 25

Location: New York, NY

Application deadline: May 28

Cost: $2,600

The Unterberg Poetry Center has been home to established and up-and-coming poets since it was founded in 1939. Students at its Young Writers Workshop receive coaching from some of New York’s best writing teachers and explore a variety of forms, styles, and voices in a warm and supportive environment. Participants learn to look critically at their own work and will leave the workshop with a clearer understanding of their goals as a writer and what it takes to make a career in the literary world. 

12. Shared Worlds

Dates: July 14 – 27

Location: Spartanburg, SC

Application deadline: Rolling

This fun writing program is for high school students with an interest in speculative fiction—for example, science fiction, fantasy, and steampunk. Shared Worlds is a residential program for rising 8th-12th grade students to work under the guidance of renowned fantasy and science fiction writers. Over the course of the workshop, students imagine, build, and write their own stories and have their enthusiasm for writing encouraged. 

13. Bard College at Simon’s Rock Young Writers Workshop

Dates: July 7 – 27

Location: Great Barrington, MA

Cost: $3,500

This program is modeled on the well-known Language and Thinking Workshop all students entering Bard College are required to take. Unlike other creative writing workshops, leaders of this young writers workshop encourage informal, playful, and expressive writing and lean on peer response to develop polished pieces of writing. Students will live, eat, and work on campus, gaining firsthand experience living and learning in a college atmosphere while producing pieces ranging from short stories and poems to brief dramatic works and experiments in creative nonfiction.

14. Kenyon Review Summer Residential Young Writers Workshops

• Session 1: June 23 – July 6

Location: Gambier, OH

Cost: $2,575

Every summer, talented writers from across the U.S. come to the picturesque campus of Kenyon College to participate in its Young Writers Workshop. In this multi-genre program, students experience what it’s like to be part of the literary community while bolstering their talents, discovering new strengths, and challenging themselves in the company of similarly interested peers. 

15. Kenyon Review Summer Online Young Writers Workshop

Dates: June 16 – 21

Location: Online

Application deadline: April 15

For students who can’t make it to Ohio for two weeks, the online workshop is a great alternative. With writing workshops for three and a half hours every day, it’s possible to take advantage of the program without relocating. In the evening, students will attend virtual open mics, social gatherings, and talks and readings by authors. 

16. BYU Young Authors Academy

Dates: July 8 – 13

Location: Provo, UT

At BYU’s Young Authors Academy, students speak with local and nationally-recognized authors, review each others’ writing, work with faculty in the BYU English department, stay in campus housing, take small-group writing courses, and meet other, like-minded peers. Students can choose from two electives over the program, including Creating Believable Tales and Villains, Flash Fiction, and Breaking News. 

17. Fir Acres Writing Workshop

Dates: June 23 – July 6

Location: Portland, OR

Application deadline: March 8

Cost: $3,700

Fir Acres writing program takes sixty rising 10th-12th graders from around the country and forms a community of enthusiastic writers on the campus of Lewis and Clark College. Students participate in daily workshops studying and writing under the guidance of Lewis and Clark’s faculty. They also meet and hear from visiting writers and work on their own poetry, fiction, and other writings. 

18. LMU’s Beginning Screenwriting Program 

Application deadline: March 15

Cost: $5,800 plus a $65 application fee

LMU’s School of Film and Television offers this program to students looking to enhance their writing skills and learn the elements of screenwriting. Students will work on structure, character development, dialogue, formatting, and genre while analyzing both classic and contemporary popular movies. They will learn from faculty members who are also professional screenwriters and leave the program with a short script. 

19. Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Writing and Culture Program 

Dates: June 22 – July 20

Cost: $6,800- $8,995

Over the weeks of the program, students at CMU will examine film, writing, design, art, and culture through various lenses. Learning will take place both on CMU’s campus and around the city of Pittsburgh. Students will produce a body of work perfect for a portfolio during the program under the tutelage of highly distinguished faculty members of the Department of English. Classes are held Monday through Friday, and students emerge with individualized feedback and guidance to enhance their creative pursuits. 

20. Boston University Summer Journalism Academy

• On Campus: June 24 – July 12
• Virtual Session 1: June 17 – 28
• Virtual Session 2: July 1 – 12
• Virtual Session 3: July 15 – 26

Application deadline: April 19 for in person; May 10 for remote

Location: Virtual or Boston, MA

Cost: $1500 to $6200

Taught by working journalists, BU’s Summer Journalism Academy gives high school students actual reporting assignments to give them a jump-start into the world of journalism. With both virtual and in-person options, there is something for everyone. There are scholarships and financial aid available for students demonstrating financial need. Students must be a rising 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grader in high school to attend. For applicants who get their materials in by March 8th, there is a $400 discount for in-person, and a $200 discount for virtual learning. 

21. The School of The New York Times’ Summer Academy

• Term 1: June 9 – 21
• Term 2: June 23 – July 5
• Term 3: July 7 – 19
• Term 4: July 21 – August 2

Location: New York City

Cost: $5,935 to $7,220

From DIY Filmmaking to A Million Lives in the Law and Pop Music as Art & Business, The School of the New York Times offers a wide range of fascinating classes to students interested in journalism. In the heart of New York City, students can spend several weeks learning from experienced journalists working in the field. Scholarship applications are only available until the end of February, so interested students should apply ASAP. 

Summer programs—and other extracurricular activities—can help set you apart, particularly at highly selective schools. CollegeVine’s free admissions calculator can tell you how colleges value your extracurricular activities and uses factors like grades and test scores (along with extracurriculars) to estimate your odds of acceptance at hundreds of schools across the country. It even provides insight into how you can improve your profile!

Though summer break provides you with the most time to explore your passions, it is not the only time. Colleges want to see that you are curious about the world around you and are constantly seeking new learning opportunities. 

Instead of participating in a program, you could create your own. Writing a book or mobilizing a team to solve an issue in your local community are examples of independent efforts that look impressive to colleges. 

You can show further initiative by taking on internships and paying jobs. Both demonstrate initiative, a career direction, and key life skills like time management and responsibility. Since most internships are reserved for college students and graduates, it can be a challenge to find opportunities for high school students. To help with the search, here is a list of summer internships for high school students. Looking for more summer programs? Take a look at this list of virtual opportunities for high school students.

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Thank you for a great 2024 summer camps season!

Summer camps are offered in person at our Denver location at 3844 York St and virtually, Monday through Friday, throughout the summer.

Half-Day and Full-Day Camps

We offer full-day in-person and virtual half-day camps for ages 8-18 from June through August. We have a wide array of workshop topics covering genres like fiction, poetry, scriptwriting, songwriting, and journalism. Our camps provide dedicated writing time, engaging exercises, and the personalized guidance of experienced, working writers. With only 6-12 campers per session, young writers receive individualized attention and thrive in a supportive, collaborative environment. More than just skill development, our camps foster confidence and a love for writing. 

Middle School and High School Summer Writing Intensives

The Lighthouse Summer Writing Intensive is led by published and award-winning writers, and each workshop is designed to foster creativity, self-expression, and excitement about writing. During the week, young writers will work at length with a number of published instructors in a variety of genres and will leave camp with new knowledge about the craft of writing, at least one completed piece of work, and enthusiasm about pieces to come. Campers will be invited, but not required, to share a piece of writing in a public reading at the end of the week. Writers of all experience are welcome to apply!

Policies and Procedures

See Lighthouse's Summer Camp policies and procedures below. If you have any questions, contact [email protected] .

2024 Catalog

Explore all summer camp offerings through our 2024 catalog. We hope you join us this summer to solve puzzles, follow clues, and find hidden treasure; embody your literary heroes through improv to help you write well-rounded characters; play with speculative prompts to build complex and atypical characters and invent fascinating new worlds; find inspiration for your writing in the natural world; and so much more!

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.

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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!

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Camp Creative Writing Programs

Are you a developing young artist with a story to tell and a passion for expression? Do you love to write? Is it your dream to transport an audience to another world through the written word?

Interlochen Arts Camp is the destination for you. When you participate in one of our creative writing summer camps, you’ll learn techniques and tools of the trade from our gifted faculty members, meet incredible guest artists, and build friendships with students like you who will inspire you to reach your full potential.

In this fun and fast-paced environment, you will:

• Learn from faculty and guest artists who have established writing careers
• Enjoy all the benefits of a summer camp experience
• Meet students from around the world who love to write

Creative Writing Camps

Interlochen Arts Camp offers summer programs in multiple focus areas in our Creative Writing Division: Creative Writing, Novel Writing, Performance Poetry, and Comics & Graphic Narratives. Select your desired program below to learn more.

For Grades 6-8

Creative Writing Program

For Grades 9-12

Comics & Graphic Narratives Intensive (Visual Arts Division)

Novel Writing Intensive

Playwriting Intensive

Spoken Word Intensive

Dive deeper into Interlochen Arts Camp with a free digital viewbook

In our free informational booklet, you'll learn more about: 

• Each of our seven arts areas 
• Various programs 
• Renowned faculty 
• A day in the life of a student 
• How to apply and financial aid information 

Join us at Interlochen Arts Camp

Do what you love best (writing!) all day long—in the most beautiful place imaginable. Join us for a summer you'll never forget.

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.

The Short Story Toolkit: Four Lessons on Form, Content, and Brevity with Rebecca Makkai

Writer and StoryStudio Artistic Director Rebecca Makkai presents four online lectures on the craft of the short story, with discussions of drafting, revision, and publication.

Creative Writing Essentials with Steve Trumpeter (In-Person)

Join us in person! This class will focus on learning to identify and understand the craft elements that comprise the building blocks of compelling, engaging narratives.

Memoir Foundations with David Stuart MacLean

This 5-week class will seek to brew up a genre concoction consisting of poetry, non-fiction, and fiction as you seek to find new ways to tell your stories. Memoir Foundations will investigate how a memoir can dilate from the intimate idiosyncratic personal experience into other ways of knowing.

SINGLE SESSION

Writing into Wonder & Amazement with Sarah Kokernot

What makes us feel awe and wonder when we read something amazing? This tremendous experience is called "the numinous" and using in-class writing exercises, we’ll explore the kind of attention that separates a numinous experience from a mundane one.

50,000 Words or Bust: Preparing for Writing a Novel in November with Dan Finnen

So you happen to be writing a novel in November? This one-night in-person class will go over word counts, how to plan your writing practice, common pitfalls, and generating story.

Wait, Do I Even Understand Plot? A Refresher Course with Laura Warrell

In this fiction lab, we’ll explore different approaches to plot and offer practical tools to build tighter narratives.

MASTER CLASSES

PJ Seminar: The Shape of Horror: A Master Class on Horror Fiction with Gabino Iglesias

In this class we will discuss the basic elements of horror fiction, explore some of the differences between various subgenres, and talk about some of the expectations readers have when reading horror.

PJ Seminar: Tell a True Story: A Master Class on Researching the Self with Ashley C. Ford

Through writing exercises, class discussion, and a bit of reading, together we'll discover and practice useful ways of excavating our own stories before practicing how to share them.

PJ Seminar: Deepening Character: A Master Class on the Heart of Fiction with Morgan Talty

To shape our narratives, we need to consider crucial aspects of our characters: what they want, what they’ll do to get it, and how the consequences of their actions have a direct impact not just on the narrative trajectory, but also all the fictional elements that together remind us of the” problems of the human heart in conflict with itself” and what makes good writing.

• Single Session
• Master Classes
• On Demand Classes
• Advanced Programs
• In-A-Year Book Programs
• Intensive Coaching Cohorts
• Genre Series at StoryStudio
• Writers on Writing at the Newberry Library
• Youth Programs
• Youth Summer Camps
• Manuscript Consultations
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• Get Involved
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• Writers Festival
• CHIRBy Awards
• StoryBall Fundraiser
• StoryStudio Chicago Emerging Writers Award
• AWP Conference
• Chicago Stories Project
• Scholarships & Partnerships
• The Geek-Out Book Club
• Open House at StoryStudio
• Write-Ins with StoryStudio
• Writers Room
• Chicago Writers Podcast
• StoryStudio Readings & Book Events
• Student Publications

YOUTH SUMMER CAMPS

Online & In-Person for Summer 2024

StoryStudio is proud to offer multiple week-long writing workshops for young scribes. With our talented instructors, young writers can expect to learn elements of writing, build friendships and community with fellow peers, and get feedback on their creative works. Check out our different sessions, a mix of online and in-person, and covering grades 5 through 12.

Please subscribe to our Youth Newsletter to get first updates on camp information.

5th – 8th Graders Online

June 24 – 28, 2024 10am – 12pm CT

For 2024, we’re pleased to welcome back instructor Zac Ginsburg for this week-long creative writing camp.

Price: $325

7th – 11th: The World’s a Vast Stage Writing & Performing IN PERSON

June 24 – 28, 2024 9am – 12pm CT

We’re pleased to introduce Mike Zapata to the Studio for this in person writing and performance-based camp.

9th – 12th Graders IN PERSON

July 8 – 12, 2024 9am – 12pm CT

For 2024, we’re pleased to introduce Kris Gevorgyan to the Studio for this in person high school level camp.

7th – 11th: Sci-Fi/Fantasy Online

July 22 – 26, 2024 10am – 12pm CT

Instructor Zac Ginsburg returns for this genre-specific camp for writers who want to build their own worlds.

6th – 8th: Fiction IN PERSON

July 22 – 26, 2024 9am – 12pm CT

Instructor Denise Santomauro returns for this genre-specific camp for in person camp for middle-schoolers.

StoryStudio is pleased to offer full scholarships to students who are unable to meet the tuition requirements. If your child would like to apply for a scholarship, please ask them to fill out this form.

Want to Donate?

Are you interested in donating to our Summer Camp Scholarship Fund? Help students like Amy and other young writers participate in a week full of creative writing and community building. All donations go directly to funding scholarship spots in all of our summer camps.

PREVIOUS CAMP PHOTOS

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, Catherine Pierce and Summer Tate's workshops)

Fiction Guest Author - Jennifer McCauley  Assigned Reading When Trying to Return Home  (For Jotham Burrello, Kristin Bair, Sarah Darer Littman 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

Virtual Summer Writing Camps 2024

Jump into new genres of writing, connect with campers across the globe, and learn from notable authors, editors, and educators in Write the World’s Virtual Writing Camp.

Please click each title to learn more and register for our online summer writing programs. Open to all levels of writers, ages 13 – 19 .  Space is limited, so act fast!

Writing Camp for Teens:

Intro to Creative Writing

June 24 – June 28 (SOLD OUT)

SciFi/Fantasy: Imagine New Worlds

July 8 – July 12 (SOLD OUT)

Intro to Poetry

July 15 – July 19 (SOLD OUT)

Fiction Writing: The Art of Storytelling

July 22 – July 26 (SOLD OUT)

Fiction Writing: Begin Your Novel

July 29 – August 2 (SOLD OUT)

How to Get Published

August 5 – August 9 (SOLD OUT)

During camp , you’ll engage in interactive writing activities, connect with peers around the world, and work together to grow your writing skills.

After camp , you’ll work independently (and asynchronously) on writing prompts and activities, guided by peer and expert review, at your own pace, for a total time commitment of about three to four hours per day.

Registration is $275  for one week of camp. Register for 2+ workshops and get 15% off automatically !

On-Demand Course:

For flexible, self-paced programs, check out our online, on-demand college essay writing course below.

Complete Your College Essay - Online, On-Demand Course

What our campers say:.

“This experience helped me grow because I was in a supportive community of writers. It was amazing to hear so many different perspectives.”

Cameron Hunt, 14

“Having another perspective on one’s work can be a very enlightening experience and it doesn’t have to be scary. My mentor was able to point me to new possibilities for my writing and my characters, and I’m very grateful for it. It’s really fun to give people reviews on their work.”

Minna Chow, 16

“I have grasped a better understanding of myself as a writer. I have learned the importance of balancing plot and description and dialogue, as well as integrating them in a more seamless manner. It’s a very positive and safe community to share and improve your work.”

Tiffany Leong, 17

Join Our Newsletter to Stay Up to Date!

Join our newsletter below for future workshop updates, new blog posts, and more! Please also check out our College Essay Writing Online Course and Review services.

As Seen In:

Should you have any questions, we’re here to help! Please check out our FAQ below and reach out to our Program Manager of College Essay & Workshops, Janelle Milanes, at [email protected] .

Virtual Writing Camp is an excellent way for teens ages 13-19 to explore a variety of writing genres within a supportive community of educators, authors, and peers. Whether your teen is an avid author or penning their first piece, we welcome their participation and will provide personalized feedback to accommodate different skill levels and strengths.

Yes. For camps that entail writing in a group on our website, the dedicated team of Write the World (WtW) trained site moderators will monitor young writers’ content following established guidelines. WtW is committed to maintaining a supportive writing community for its members.

Campers will work in small cohorts of up to 30 teens to maintain cohesion and support community building.

WtW Virtual Writing Camps are led by members of the WtW team, trained authors and educators who work with our global community of young writers year-round. You can learn more about your teen’s teacher(s) on the product page of your chosen Write the World camp.

We will host 90-minute synchronous camp sessions, involving interactive writing activities, through video conferencing via Zoom each day. (Note: in most cases, these will take place from 11a.m.-12:30p.m. ET, but we will attempt to accommodate different time zones; if necessary, sessions will be recorded for those individuals who cannot make the live meetings). Then, in most cases, your teen will have a specific set of prompts and/or peer reviews to complete each day. This self-guided writing should consume approximately 2 hours each day, depending on your teen’s pace and approach, for a total of approximately 4 hours of camp engagement each day. 

Yes! We are pleased to offer 15% off when you purchase two workshops or more. 

Participants may cancel their registration for the camp at any time up to 10 days prior to the first day of the camp, and they will be entitled to a refund of the fees paid, less a $50 cancellation fee. Any cancellations made within 10 days of the first day of the camp will not be eligible for a refund. The participant must notify the camp organizer of the cancellation by email, and the date of receipt of such notification will be considered the date of cancellation. The camp organizer reserves the right to cancel the camp in case of any unforeseen circumstances, in which case participants will be entitled to a full refund of the fees paid.

Subscribe now to learn more about our virtual camps, college essay programs, and more.

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