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Top 10 Summer Writing Programs for High School Students
By
Savannah Dawson
Prior to coming to Scholarships360 for her first internship in 2022, Savannah utilized her campus publications by joining various fashion publications that are offered at Ohio University. One of those publications is Thread Magazine, where Savannah has had the opportunity to work on articles related to world-wide related fashion news and events, as well as articles closer to home, such as a fashion piece on Athens hometown-hero Joe Burrow. This year, Savannah also had the opportunity to be a content writing intern for Aiken House, as well as a section editor for Southeast Ohio Magazine. In 2023, Savannah served as the Chapter President of her sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta. These collective experiences, as well as her experience currently working for Ohio University’s Undergraduate Admissions, has led her to Scholarships360 and aided in her passion for helping students better understand the college admissions process and financial aid. In her free time, Savannah enjoys horseback riding, watching Formula One races, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family. Savannah will graduate from Ohio University in May 2024 with a degree in Journalism News and Information and a certificate in Italian Studies.
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If you are a high school student interested in enhancing your writing skills over the summer, look no further. Scholarships360 has you covered with our picks for top 10 writing summer camps for high school students. Let’s dive right in!
What is a summer writing program?
A summer writing program offers high school students interested in different types of writing to immerse themselves in the field. These programs range from creative writing, to playwriting, to poetry, and everything in between.
Why we selected the following writing programs
We chose a diverse range of writing summer camps for high school students that vary in price, location, and academic focus. These are definitely not all of the writing programs that are in existence, but we wanted to name a few that impressed us.
A note on application deadlines and program dates
Application deadlines and program dates vary from program to program because these are all at different institutions, all over the country. We will do our best to keep these dates updated, so if a program that you are interested in currently says “TBD”, check back in a few weeks and the program may have released that information!
Apply to these scholarships due soon
Top 10 summer writing programs for high schoolers
1. Iowa Young Writers’ Studio
The Iowa Young Writers’ Studio is a two-week session located at the University of Iowa campus or online. The two programs run at the same time, and there are two different date options for students to choose from. With this program, students select their primary focus throughout the program– fiction writing, poetry writing, or creative writing.
- Program benefits: Readings by published writers; workshops on process and aspects of craft; discussions on writing-adjacent subjects (literary translation, film, revision, mental health); collaborative projects to allow small groups of students to work together; as well as open mics, talent shows, icebreakers, and social gatherings
- Application deadline: February 4th, 2024
- Program dates:
- Session 1: June 16-29, 2024
- Session 2: July 14-27, 2024
- Cost: The in-person program is $2,500, and the online program is $575
2. Interlochen Center for the Arts Camp Creative Writing Programs
Interlochen Center for the Arts is a prestigious arts center for students of all ages who are interested in various types of arts to hone in on their craft. The Camp Creative Writing Programs are for high school students of all ages. Campers choose between four different tracks– Comics and Graphic Narratives Intensive, Creative Writing Program, Novel Writing Intensive, or Performance Poetry Intensive. The focus below is the broadest category, the Creative Writing Program. This three week intensive allows students to immerse themselves in the world of writing.
- Program benefits: Genre workshops in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and playwriting; placed in classes outside of comfort zones to learn more about different genres; reading showcase; guest artists and speakers
- Application deadline: January 15th, 2023, for both sessions
- Program dates:
- Session 1: June 23, 2024 to July 13, 2024
- Session 2: July 14, 2024 to August 4, 2024
- Cost: $6,765
3. Sarah Lawrence College Writer’s Week: A Creative Writing & Performance Arts Workshop
The Sarah Lawrence Creative Writing and Performance Arts Workshop is offered both online and in person. The in-person workshop is a day camp, not a residential program. Each day of the program, students attend writing workshops led by poets, prose writers, and performance artists. The program also includes faculty led workshops and meetings, as well as a celebration of student work at the end of the program.
- Program benefits: Work with distinguished faculty and graduate students, generating materials to share, collaboration with peers, learning to revise and edit.
- Application deadline: TBD, registration opens in February
- Program dates:
- Virtual session: July 15 – 19, 2024
- In-Person session: August 5 – 9, 2024
- Cost:
- July Session (Virtual) $1,025 ($100 deposit)
- August Session (On Campus) $1,550 ($200 deposit)
4. Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Writing and Culture Program
The Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Writing and Culture Program is a six-week high school summer program where students immerse themselves in writing, film, design, art, and culture. This program teaches students how to properly tell a story, regardless of what their story may be. Applicants must be sophomores or juniors in high school at the time of the application submission. There are opportunities to receive scholarships for this program as well, which is something to keep in mind while applying.
- Program benefits: Opportunities to explore some of Pittsburgh’s world-class museums, access to the Carnegie Mellon Archives and Fine and Rare Book Rooms, mentorship and networking opportunities.
- Application deadline: Early decision deadline is February 1st, 2024, regular decision deadline is March 1st, 2024
- Program dates: June 22nd – July 20th, 2024
- Cost:
- Residential: $8,995
- Commuter: $6,800
Related: Top writing and essay scholarships
5. Denison University Reynolds Young Writers Workshop
The Reynolds Young Writers Workshop based out of Denison University in Granville, Ohio is an eight-day residential writing program that helps to immerse students in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction writing. This program is open to students who have completed their sophomore or junior year of high school who have an interest in writing. Generous financial assistance is available to those who need it.
- Program benefits: Group sessions, hands-on work with Denison faculty and staff, notable visiting writers
- Application deadline: March 1st, 2024 at 11:59 PM
- Program dates: June 22 – 29, 2024
- Cost: $1,500
6. Alpha– The Young Writers Workshop
Alpha– The Young Writers Workshop is a 12-day writing workshop for students ages 14-19 located on the University of Pittsburgh Greensburg campus. Not only will students immerse themselves in their writing and have the opportunity to hone in on that skill, but they will also learn more about the technical side of writing– submitting for publication, editing, and receiving feedback. Alpha also offers scholarships for those who may need them.
- Program benefits: Ample time spent with influential professors, opportunities for brainstorming workshops, professional writer presentations, lectures.
- Application deadline: March 10th, 2024
- Program dates: July 24 – August 4, 2024
- Cost: $1,500
Don’t miss: Top free summer programs for high school students
7. Loyola Marymount University- Beginning Screenwriting Program
The Loyola Marymount University Beginning Screenwriting Program is a hands-on two-week program located on the campus of one of the nation’s best film schools. Students learn the basics of the script developing process, gain a deeper understanding of cinematic storytelling, and enhance their writing skills. The first program dates are for eligible high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. The second program dates are for juniors and seniors only.
- Program benefits: Opportunity for hands-on experiences within Los Angeles’ film industry, touring local film or television studio”
- Application deadline: March 15th, 2024
- Program dates:
- Session 1: June 23-July 6, 2024
- Session 2: July 14-July 27, 2024
- Cost: $5,800 with a $65 application fee
8. Georgetown University Creative Writing Academy
The Georgetown University Creative Writing Academy is a week-long writing academy for high school students of all ages. During this academy, students have the opportunity to work on and present a capstone project, which can be on various topics and within various subject areas. This academy focuses largely on the publishing aspects of creative writing.
- Program benefits: Readings from published authors, work with Georgetown faculty and staff, field trips, group discussions
- Application deadline: The “Early Bird” deadline is January 31st, 2024, and the Final deadline is May 15th, 2024
- Program dates: July 14th – 20th, 2024
- Cost:$3,389, includes tuition, housing, and meals
9. Emerson Writes
The Emerson Writes is an on-campus program that focuses on topics such as fiction, prose, scriptwriting, comedy writing, graphic novel writing, and performance poetry. This program offers students opportunities to create and revise their personal writing portfolio.
- Program benefits: Work with highly regarded faculty writers, participate in literary hangouts, participate in “final reading” at the conclusion of the program
- Application deadline: TBD, not yet open
- Program dates: Depending on which courses you choose to take, the schedule varies, but the first class starts in September 2024
- Cost: Free
Also see: How to rock the summer before your senior year
10. Harvard Pre-College Summer School Program
The last entry on our list of writing summer camps for high school students is also one of the most prestigious. The Harvard Pre-College Summer School Program is a two-week summer program that offers over 100 non-credit courses for high school students to take part in. The Speech, Writing, and Literature topic is a great option for students who want to pursue a career in writing or just want to develop their craft. This topic offers multiple different courses, such as creative writing, English, expository writing, journalism, and speech. The program also offers some financial aid for qualifying students.
- Program benefits: Build valuable academic skills, learn to live independently on a college campus, take sample college courses
- Application deadline:
- Early Application and Priority Financial Aid Deadline — January 10, 2024
- Regular Application and Financial Aid Deadline — February 14, 2024
- Late Application Deadline — April 10, 2024
- Program dates:
- Session I: June 23 – July 5, 2024
- Session II: July 7 – 19, 2024
- Session III: July 21 – August 2, 2024
- Cost: $5,550 + $75 application fee
Don’t miss: High school checklist: Freshman through senior year
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