If you’re a parent staring down the barrel of the impending summer, wondering how you’re going to entertain your child (or children) for three whole months while school’s out, read on. Here are some writing camps you might want to consider.
The Great American Writers’ Camp
This year marks the 5th birthday of the Great American Writers’ Camp. To celebrate, the camp is adding even more creative writing activities, field trips, and games to their repertoire. From speeches to stories and poems to plays, this camp introduces kids to a wide range of writing styles in fun and interactive ways. The camp’s focus on idea generation and creativity, rather than editing, gives kids a low-stakes environment where they can try out new ideas, befriend peer writers, and let their creative side shine!
When: June 22-27
Where: Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem
Info/Register: http://thegawc.weebly.com/
Young Women’s Summer Writing Experience (2 Sessions)
Two weeklong writing workshops for young women age 13-18. The objective of the Young Women’s Summer Writing Experience is to offer young women a week where “who they are” is at the root of every expression. Participants utilize inspiration from nature, literature, visual art, music, film and other art forms to inspire their writing. Writing experience not necessary. Each day participants express themselves through innovative writing prompts with Zelda Lockhart, prepare meals from the organic garden, and take a short hike. Each week a guest artist works with participants to blend writing with another art form. Last year participants wrote recipes with Chef LaMana of Culinary Healing, and turned writing into movement with choreographer Aya Shabu of the Magic of African Rhythm.
When: June 22 – July 3
Where: LaVenson Press Studios, 510 Firefly Ridge Ln., Hillsborough
Info/Register: http://lavensonpressstudios.com/events/young-womens-summer-writing-experience-2-sessions-summer-2015/
Young Writers Workshop
The Young Writers Workshop (YWW) is an annual five-day camp that brings together up to 45 high school students to study the craft of writing on the UNC Wilmington campus. YWW participants take part in daily creative writing exercises, craft lectures, writing workshops, and readings. The week offers a valuable and exciting experience for young writers interested in learning more about their craft. Although YWW students are asked to submit a work of creative writing in one genre (poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction), they receive instruction in all genres. Participants spend approximately six hours every day in writing exercises, peer workshops, and craft presentations. Students also have time to explore the UNCW campus, visit the bookstore and library, and get to know other young writers.
When: June 23-27
Where: University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Wilmington
Info/Register: http://www.uncw.edu/writers/youngwriters.html
Young Writers’ Camp
The attendance requirements for Young Writers’ participants are an enthusiasm for writing and a desire to work to develop writing skills. The curriculum is designed so that students who have average or above-average reading and writing abilities will benefit most from attending the program. Since the camp is academically rigorous, we encourage attendance only for students who are academically motivated and have the ability to manage their time to complete assignments.
When: Three sessions, June-July
Where: Duke University, Durham
Info/Register: http://www.learnmore.duke.edu/youth/youngwriter/index.asp
Young and Teen Writers’ Workshops
Sponsored by the English Department within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and held on NC State University’s campus, the Young and Teen Writers’ Workshops nurture the creative spirit and teach creative writing skills and techniques. These summer afternoon workshops are intended for children and teens who already have a demonstrated interest in writing fiction, poetry, plays, and creative nonfiction or who have an enthusiastic desire to learn more about these kinds of writing.
When: July 6-17 (Young Writers) / July 20-31 (Teen Writers’ Workshop)
Where: NC State University, Raleigh
Info/Register: http://english.chass.ncsu.edu/youngwriters/
Young Writers’ Academy
The mission of Young Writers’ Academy LLC is to provide engaging creative writing enrichment opportunities for students that will inspire them to write. We aim to improve their craft and artiface through experiential learning. Our students have a blast creating original work. Several sessions, including essay writing, mystery writing, and nature writing.
When: July 6 – August 4
Where: Providence High School, 1800 Pineville-Matthews Rd., Charlotte
Info/Register: http://www.youngwritersacademy.com/#!charlotte/cspc
Summer Writing Programs
UNC Asheville’s summer writing program returns this year and includes a session for rising 6th-8th graders as well as the annual summer program for high school students. The program offers each participating student experience in different aspects of writing under the tutelage of Asheville’s finest writing instructors. During the two-week session, students will be able to write, share, and discuss their own work with other area students, culminating in a reading at the end of the second week.
When: July 13-17 (6-8 graders) / July 13-24 (high school)
Where: Owen Hall, Asheville
Info/Register: https://agc.unca.edu/writenow
Summer 2015 Creative Writing for Middleschoolers
Do you know a rising 6th-8th grader interested in writing fiction and poetry this summer? An associate professor of creative writing with extensive experience leading writing workshops with middleschoolers will be hosting six workshops for a small group of middleschool students.
When: Wednesdays, July 22 – August 26, 4:00-5:30 pm
Where: A home near Duke Campus, Durham
Contact: Martha Witt at marthawitt@gmail.com.