Is your child showing some interest in creative writing?
Well, god help them.
Seriously though, if so, there are many writing camps for youth and teens this summer happening all over North Carolina. We’ve listed a few below that seemingly still have open spots available!
DUKE YOUNG WRITERS CAMP (Durham)
Grades 6-11
Three sessions, June 16 – July 26
Website: https://www.learnmore.duke.edu/youth/youngwriter
This summer marks the 36th year young writers from all over the country and around the world have been coming to Duke to craft stories, poems, plays, and essays. Every two weeks throughout the summer, approximately 100 to 120 adolescents form a creative writing community at Duke Young Writers’ Camp. They take two classes a day on such genres as fantasy and science fiction, hip hop poetry, detective fiction, argumentative essay writing, and multimedia presentations. The camp even boasts a newspaper website that puts out three editions a summer.
THE GREAT AMERICAN WRITERS’ CAMP (Winston-Salem)
Grades 4-6
August 12-17
Website: http://www.thegawc.weebly.com
Established in 2011, the GAWC is back again with even more writing activities, strategies and projects. At this a creative writing camp held in Winston-Salem, young writers hone their skills and styles as they develop ideas into stories, poems, arguments, speeches and more. Working in groups, individually, and one-on-one with an instructor, campers begin to see how their ideas and words have a place in the world around them.
QUAIL RIDGE BOOKS TEEN WRITING CAMP (Raleigh)
Ages 13-18
Two sessions: July 8 – 28
Website: https://www.quailridgebooks.com/teen-writing-camps-john-claude-bemis
Spark your teen’s imagination this summer! Award-winning author and educator John Claude Bemis (The Clockwork Dark series and Out of Abaton series) will lead a writing camp at Quail Ridge Books for writers ages 13-18. Aspiring authors will engage in fun activities to turn ideas of the imagination into stories on paper (or the laptop). Campers will build a variety of writing skills and have a chance to write, share, and discuss their stories. To learn more about John, visit www.johnclaudebemis.com.
YOUNG AND TEEN WRITERS WORKSHOPS (Raleigh)
Ages 9-19
July 8-19 (Young Writers) / July 22 – August 2 (Teens)
Website: https://english.chass.ncsu.edu/youngwriters/
Take a journey into the world of creative writing. These two-week summer afternoon workshops are for children and teens ages 9-19. 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 have been serving the community for over 32 years.
YOUNG WRITERS WORKSHOP (Wilmington)
High School Students
July 9-13
Website: https://www.uncw.edu/writers/youngwriters.html
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. The Young Writers Workshop provides a place for aspiring writers to experiment, meet other writers, and follow their creative interests in a safe, nonjudgmental environment. 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.
We didn’t list it because registration is closed, but the Young Writers’ Camp at UNCG in Greensboro is also excellent. Maybe next year? Their website is: http://www.youngwriterscampuncg.com.