Love writing? Want to take your skills to the next level while having fun this summer? Writing camps are the perfect place to do that. These camps give you the chance to dive into fiction and non-fiction in a fast-paced environment. Through workshops, feedback from experienced instructors, and by collaborating with other students who are as passionate about writing as you are.
Unlike regular semester-long programs, writing camps are brief and highly focused, allowing you to concentrate on specific genres, techniques, or themes without the extended commitment of traditional courses. This focused approach allows you to immerse yourself fully, gaining practical, hands-on experience quickly through projects, hackathons, and collaborative activities. Additionally, camps tend to combine learning with social interaction, creating opportunities for networking and peer collaboration that may not be as pronounced in regular, longer-term programs.
Below, we have listed 14 writing camps for high school students.
14 Writing Camps for High School Students
1. Kenyon Review Young Writers Residential Workshop
Location: Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio
Cost: $2,575; need-based financial aid is available
Dates: June 21 – July 4; July 12 – 25
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students who will be between the ages of 16 and 18 years old at the time of the program
The Kenyon Review Young Writers Residential Workshop is an intensive two-week program at Kenyon College designed for students to grow as creative thinkers and writers. It’s a highly selective, generative writing workshop where the focus is on producing fresh, new work rather than just revising old pieces. The multi-genre curriculum covers short stories, poetry, and personal essays/non-fiction. You will participate in daily five-hour workshops with peer critique, attend readings by instructors and visiting authors, and complete frequent writing prompts and exercises. You will develop a more authentic voice, master the skill of constructive peer feedback, and learn to approach writing as an act of risk-taking and exploration.
2. Iowa Young Writers’ Studio
Location: University of Iowa campus in Iowa City, Iowa
Cost: $2,500 + $10 reading fee; need-based financial aid is available
Dates: Session 1: June 14 – 27; Session 2: July 12 – 25
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Students who have completed 10th, 11th, or 12th grade by the time the program begins
This program is designed for talented high school students to deeply immerse themselves in the art and craft of creative writing. Core topics covered include Fiction, Poetry, Creative Non-Fiction (Personal Essay), Playwriting, and TV Writing. You will participate in intensive daily workshops to critique peer work, attend one-on-one conferences with instructors who are often Iowa Writers’ Workshop graduates, and engage in generative writing exercises and readings by published authors. Its unique feature is its direct connection to Iowa’s profound literary legacy. By the end, you develop a more distinctive literary voice, master techniques for giving constructive criticism, and hone essential revision and analytical reading skills.
3. Interlochen Arts Camp: Creative Writing Program
Location: Interlochen Center for the Arts, Interlochen, MI
Cost: $7,265; financial aid is available
Dates: Session 1: June 28 – July 18; Session 2: July 19 – August 9
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12
At Interlochen Arts Camp, you’ll immerse yourself in an intensive creative writing experience set amid Northern Michigan’s lakes and forests. The three-week program lets you specialize in two genres, fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or playwriting, while participating in workshops that emphasize experimentation, structure, and revision. You’ll engage in daily writing exercises, peer critiques, and literary discussions guided by published authors. Guest lectures and evening readings bring the craft to life, while the camp’s final anthology and student reading celebrate your growth. From refining poetic form to developing narrative technique, this program helps you strengthen your voice and prepare your work for publication.
4. Camp Cronkite
Location: Arizona State University, Downtown Phoenix, AZ
Cost: Tentatively, $799; need-based scholarships available
Dates: June 22 – 27 (Tentative)
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Current high school students in grades 9–12
Camp Cronkite gives you a complete newsroom experience inside Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism. You’ll take core sessions in writing, interviewing, and visual storytelling, then design your own learning track through electives such as podcasting, videography, or social media. Campers live at Gordon Commons, enjoy meals at the campus dining hall, and participate in supervised evening activities. The camp’s structured schedule mirrors a real media environment, balancing creative production with professional development. Faculty-led workshops, mentorship from ASU students, and guided editorial projects help you develop leadership and confidence in journalism.
5. Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp: Creative Writing Program
Location: Twin Lake, Michigan
Cost: $1,925; scholarships are available
Dates: Four sessions of two-weeks between June 24 and August 16
Application Deadline: Rolling basis; first-come, first-served
Eligibility: High school students interested in poetry, prose, and cross-genre writing
At Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, you’ll refine your craft in an unplugged, wooded environment that encourages deep creative focus. The Creative Writing Program blends structured workshops with free studio time, giving you space to explore poetry, prose, and hybrid forms. Each session includes hands-on exercises, peer critiques, and daily writing inspired by music, dance, and visual arts performances across campus. You’ll also collaborate with other departments, experiment with ekphrastic and cross-genre techniques, and produce a polished piece for inclusion in a bound student anthology. The camp culminates in a celebratory live reading where you’ll share your work and strengthen your confidence as a writer and performer.
6. Meredith College High School Writing Workshop Summer Camp
Location: Meredith College, Raleigh, NC
Cost: $225
Dates: June 23 – 27
Application Deadline: No deadline; enrollment happens on a first come, first served basis
Eligibility: High school students ages 14–18
Meredith College’s High School Writing Workshop immerses you in an intensive, small-group creative writing experience. You’ll work directly with published faculty in fiction, personal essay, and poetry, receiving individualized feedback and engaging in peer workshops. The program balances structured instruction with collaborative discussion, allowing you to refine your voice and experiment across genres. Daily sessions run from 1–4 pm, culminating in a Friday open mic and reception where you present your work to your peers. With only 12 students per session, you’ll benefit from a focused, mentor-driven environment that encourages growth, fosters confidence, and helps you build a polished portfolio while connecting with fellow aspiring writers.
7. University of South Florida High School Creative Writing Camp
Location: USF Tampa Campus, Tampa, FL
Cost: Not specified, but USF’s non-credit high school day camps typically falls in the range of $500 to $1,500 for one week
Dates: Typically a one-week, non-residential (Day) camp in July
Application Deadline: No deadline; enrollment happens on a first come, first served basis
Eligibility: Students entering grades 8–12
At USF’s Creative Writing Camp, you’ll immerse yourself in an intensive one-week exploration of storytelling across multiple genres. Guided by published authors, MFA faculty, and graduate students, you’ll engage in hands-on workshops, collaborative discussions, and exercises that develop your narrative skills and creative voice. You’ll analyze fiction, poetry, and nonfiction to understand craft elements, then apply those techniques to produce original work. The program emphasizes personalized feedback, peer critique, and portfolio development. By the end of the week, you’ll create a polished piece for a keepsake collection, strengthening your confidence, expanding your storytelling abilities, and preparing you for future creative writing endeavors in a structured, mentor-supported environment.
8. Hofstra University Creative Writing Intensive
Location: Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
Cost: $735 per week
Dates: June 29 – July 2
Application Deadline: Rolling basis until full
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12
Hofstra’s one-week Creative Writing Intensive immerses you in short story, play, and novel-writing workshops. You’ll explore idea development, character creation, conflict, and setting within compelling narrative structures. Mornings focus on instruction, writing prompts, and interactive games to strengthen your craft. Afternoons are dedicated to independent projects, including poetry, short stories, or scenes from ongoing work. Guided by Maria Cerniello, an experienced NYS-certified English teacher with over a decade of teaching at Hofstra, you’ll receive focused mentorship to refine your writing voice. This program emphasizes skill-building, creative exploration, and producing work that can captivate readers in diverse forms of narrative.
9. Morehouse College Summer Online Writing Camp
Location: Online (via Zoom)
Cost: $300
Dates: June 9 – 20
Application Deadline: May 16
Eligibility: Students between ages 12 – 18 or who have just graduated high school
Morehouse’s Summer Online Writing Camp provides a structured, interactive environment to strengthen your critical thinking and writing skills. Over two weeks, you’ll engage in synchronous Zoom sessions, participate in solo writing exercises, and receive individualized feedback during one-on-one instructor conferences. The program explores multiple genres and forms, emphasizing both drafting and revision to cultivate your voice and clarity. You’ll collaborate with peers and instructors, learning techniques to develop ideas, structure essays, and refine storytelling skills. By the end of the camp, you’ll have produced polished writing pieces while building confidence in communicating effectively across a variety of written formats.
10. Write the World Fiction Virtual Writing Camp
Location: Online (via Zoom)
Cost: $299
Dates: June 23 – 27
Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment
Eligibility: Teens ages 13–19
This virtual writing camp immerses you in the craft of fiction across multiple genres, including contemporary fiction, mystery, retellings, myths, science fiction, and fantasy. Each day focuses on a different genre, combining interactive workshops, guided writing prompts, and peer review to develop your storytelling skills. You’ll receive individualized feedback from instructors and peers, helping you refine characters, plot, and narrative style. You also engage in asynchronous writing exercises between sessions, allowing time for personal growth and reflection. By the end of the week, you’ll have explored new genres, strengthened your writing voice, and built confidence as a fiction writer in a global community of teen authors.
11. Goucher College Young Writers’ Camp
Location: Baltimore, MD
Cost: $600 early registration; $650 late registration
Dates: June 23 – 27
Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment
Eligibility: All high school students
This in-person writing camp immerses you in fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction, offering daily workshops and interactive activities to develop your craft. You’ll receive personalized feedback from award-winning instructors and peers, refining your voice, style, and storytelling techniques. The program includes seminars with visiting authors, guidance on personal essays for college, and opportunities to collaborate on a printed anthology of your work. You’ll also explore Goucher’s campus and gain insight into college life while building a supportive community of teen writers. By the end of the week, you’ll have strengthened your writing skills, experimented with multiple genres, and gained confidence as a young author.
12. Hollinsummer: Creative Writing
Location: Hollins University, Roanoke, VA
Cost: Residential: $1,150; Day: $550
Dates: July 12 – 18
Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment
Eligibility: Female high school students entering 9th–12th grade
This one-week summer writing retreat immerses you in fiction, poetry, and personal narrative while offering individualized attention to develop your core writing skills. Lectures, workshops, and special events with Hollins faculty and visiting authors encourage experimentation with new forms and styles, from fantasy and screenwriting to graphic novels and #ownvoices projects. Each day balances structured workshops with unstructured time for writing practice, one-on-one guidance, and peer collaboration. You’ll receive feedback that helps refine your voice and storytelling techniques, while also building a supportive community of young writers. By the end of the week, you’ll have honed your skills, explored diverse genres, and gained confidence in your creative writing abilities.
13. Creative Writing Camp
Location: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Commuter: $800; Residential: $1,550; discounts are available
Dates: July 26 – 31
Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment
Eligibility: High school students ages 14–18, including students graduating in the camp year
This week-long summer camp immerses you in imaginative and creative writing through fiction, monologues, and personal storytelling. You’ll explore villainous backstories, monster-building exercises, and dramatic monologues while participating in hands-on workshops and field trips to the Hillman Library Horror Archives and the August Wilson Center. Each day combines guided writing exercises, collaborative workshops, and unstructured time to develop your voice and craft, culminating in a final celebration and live reading on Friday. You’ll also engage in creative nonfiction exercises, experimenting with memory and storytelling to produce flash nonfiction pieces. By the end of the week, you’ll have strengthened your narrative skills, refined your imaginative voice, and built confidence as a writer in a supportive community of peers.
14. Mercersburg Writing Camp
Location: Mercersburg Academy, Mercersburg, PA
Cost: Commuter: $1,850; Residential: $2,050; discounts and financial assistance are available
Dates: June 29 – July 11
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until full
Eligibility: Students between ages 11–16 (co-ed camp)
This immersive summer camp invites you to explore the expressiveness of the written word while building skills in fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. Mornings are dedicated to specialty classes led by professional instructors, allowing you to refine your craft in chosen genres, while afternoons feature thematic workshops and recreational activities such as rock climbing, swimming, and field trips. The current year theme, Heroes and Villains, guides your writing through imaginative exercises, helping you develop your voice, style, and narrative confidence. You’ll also collaborate with peers and featured presenters, gaining insight into publishing and professional writing practices. The camp culminates in the production of a print or digital literary magazine and a student reading.
Image source – Mercersburg Academy