Participants will be divided into writing groups by grade level.
Writers Workshop I
Grades 4-6: This camp is designed for the young writer who is passionate about writing and wants to meet other young writers who share their interests. Participants will engage in daily writing challenges and activities designed to help them transfer their ideas into exciting pieces of writing. Each young writer will be able to write in small groups and individually with the guidance of a camp writing instructor. Each day will focus on a different genre of writing. Young writers will also interact with published and professional writers in age appropriate writing workshops. By the end of camp, each young writer will have several well-developed pieces.
Writers Workshop II
Grades 7-8: This camp is designed for the middle-school writer who is passionate about writing and wants to meet other young writers who share their interests. Participants will engage in daily writing challenges and activities designed to help them transfer their ideas into exciting pieces of writing. Each young writer will be able to write in small groups and individually with the guidance of a camp writing instructor. Each day will focus on a different genre of writing. Young writers will also interact with published and professional writers in age appropriate writing workshops. By the end of camp, each young writer will have several well-developed pieces.
Writers Workshop III
Grades 9-12: Writers Workshop is geared toward teen writers who are interested in enriching their writing lives and experiences. Participants are expected to bring one or two pieces of writing that they would like to share in a writer’s group and workshop. The goal is to have one or two polished pieces by the end of the week. Writers will focus on various genres of writing using activities and exercises to broaden their writing experiences. Teen writers also will have the opportunity to participate in daily writing workshops with guest writers from the Denver community. Writers also love to read! Teen writers will partake in discussions about what they are reading, recommend books, and discuss shorter pieces of writing throughout the week.
*These FAQs may not apply to all of our satellite camps or special programs like the College Ready Writers Program.
The Young Writers Camp is geared toward young people going into grades 4-12 who have enthusiasm for writing - especially creative writing. The Young Writers Camp nourishes that enthusiasm and helps young writers hone their talents.
Not at all! The Young Writers Camp provides a fun atmosphere where young writers can join together. Young writers will explore several writing genres, meet professional writers and stretch their writing skills beyond the school curriculum. While writers will be learning new techniques, the camp’s focus is creativity and discovery, rather than grammar and punctuation.
Young writers will be with their particular camps and teachers all day. Each camp will have a main classroom for much of the day, though we’ll be moving to other spots on the campus for guest speakers, lunch and maybe some writing time outside. We’ll notify parents of the room numbers and buildings once they’re assigned in May. Additionally, we may take the young writers on a field trip near the campus. Details will be shared with parents before the camp begins.
The Young Writers Camp is split into three smaller camps for much of the day. The camps are divided as follows:
Writer’s Workshop I. Grades 4-6.
Writers Workshop I is designed for the pre-teen writer who is passionate about writing and wants to meet other young writers who share their interests. Participants will engage in daily writing challenges and activities designed to help them transfer their ideas into exciting pieces of writing. Each young writer will be able to write in small groups and individually with the guidance of a camp writing instructor. Each day, Writers Workshop I will focus on a different genre of writing (fiction, poetry, journalism, and creative non-fiction). Young writers will also interact with published and professional writers in age appropriate writers workshop sessions.
Writer’s Workshop II. Grades 7-8.
Writers Workshop II is geared toward teen writers who are interested in enriching their writing lives and experiences. Participants are expected to bring one or two pieces of writing that they would like to share in a writer’s group and workshop. Writers will focus on various genres of writing using activities and exercises to broaden their writing experiences. Teen writers also will have the opportunity to participate in daily writing workshops with guest writers from the Denver community. Writers also love to read! Teen writers will partake in discussions about what they are reading, recommend books, and discuss shorter pieces of writing throughout the week.
Writer's Workshop III: Grades 9-12:
Writers Workshop is geared toward teen writers who are interested in enriching their writing lives and experiences. Participants are expected to bring one or two pieces of writing that they would like to share in a writer’s group and workshop. The goal is to have one or two polished pieces by the end of the week. Writers will focus on various genres of writing using activities and exercises to broaden their writing experiences. Teen writers also will have the opportunity to participate in daily writing workshops with guest writers from the Denver community. Writers also love to read! Teen writers will partake in discussions about what they are reading, recommend books, and discuss shorter pieces of writing throughout the week.
The camp lasts five days and begins at 9:00a.m. each day. Monday through Thursday, the camp ends at 3:00p.m. On Friday, the young writers invite family and friends to a celebratory presentation of their works from the camp. The presentation begins at 1:00p.m., and usually lasts a little over an hour.
The young writers eat lunch in the Tivoli of the Auraria Campus. The Tivoli contains a food court including Taco Bell, Subway and Wok & Roll. The young writers may bring money to purchase food (about $5 a day, depending on the appetite) or bring their own lunches. We typically allot 45 minutes for lunch each day.
The camp teachers will meet the young writers at the circle drop-off by the King Center each morning (see campus map) at 9:00a.m. Please note that traffic in the circle drive can be quite overwhelming at camp close. You might wish to park nearby and walk to the building to avoid the traffic congestion.
Alternatively, teachers can meet young writers at the Light Rail on Colfax Avenue if you let us know in advance. Teachers will walk the young writers to their classrooms as a group. The camp teachers will also accompany young writers to the King Center circle drop-off or Light Rail Monday through Thursday afternoons at 3pm. (On Friday, the young writers will simply leave with their families after the camp celebration is complete.) You want to make sure that your young writer is on time each morning, as teachers will start walking to the classrooms at 9:05. Likewise, you’ll need to be on time for afternoon pick-up because the teachers are unable to stay late. To ensure the safety of all young writers, teachers can’t meet and/or take students to locations other than the King Center drop-off or Colfax Light Rail for drop-off and pick-up. Click here for a map and directions to campus.
The Auraria Campus Young Writers Camp costs $225 for the week.