2025 Young Writers Camps
Registration for our Summer 2025 camps is nearly full.
****Spots remain ONLY for Week 1 (Grades K-3) and Week 2 (grades 7-11).***Please complete the pre-registration form here and we will contact you with details about payment. Please email Scott Filkins at filkins@illinois.edu if you have additional questions.
Camp Information (please see enrollment availability above)
Dates: Week One: July 21 - July 25, Week Two: July 28 - August 1, 2025. Attend either or both!
Location: College of Education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1310 S. Sixth St., Champaign, Illinois
Time: 9am - 3pm
Writing Focus: Each week will feature separate topics of instruction, so students can sign up for one or two weeks of the camp.
Lunch: Students need to bring a sack lunch on Mondays through Thursdays. Lunch will be provided on both Fridays of the camp.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
*Students will be provided with a camp t-shirt.
*Students are welcome to bring their own devices per parent/guardian discretion.
*Students who would like to store their work should come with their own Google Drive account.
Prices and Discounts
One Week Attendance: $325
Two Week Attendance: $550
Sibling discount: $25 OFF TOTAL for up to 3 siblings
Scholarships: Free and Reduced Lunch Discount is $150 OFF TOTAL
Complete a pre-registration form here and we will be in touch with confirmation and payment information.
Refund Policy
Due to the number of registrations and amount of logistics needed to run this camp to its highest quality, refunds will only be given up to seven (7) days before the start of the each session. Thank you for understanding!
as we enroll students, we may opt to open an
intermediate camp for students entering grades 5-7
Elementary Summer Camp (Students Entering Grades 1-6)
The University of Illinois Writing Project sponsors writing camps in the summer led by experienced teachers. The Elementary Camp provides an enrichment opportunity for young writers. Students learn how to write in a variety of genres, which may include:
- Poetry
- Fairy Tales
- Plays
- Comic Strip Writing
- Storytelling
- Short stories
Secondary Summer Camp (Students Entering Grades 7-12)
Are you a middle or high school student who likes to write? Would
you like to learn new techniques and experiment with fun, cutting
edge technology?
You will work with technology and learn how to write in a
variety of genres, which may include:
- Poetry
- Short stories
- Flash fiction
- Novels
- Personal Essays
Our Camp Philosophy
Students come to the camp to experience being in a community of writers. Our teachers guide that community and teach students skills to expand their writing abilities. The students work in small groups, as well as getting some focused attention from teachers.
Students will be free to create unique original pieces of writing in this communal environment. Students will make friends, learn to work collaboratively with others, and have great fun writing. We strive to provide students with an enjoyable experience that will leave them with a positive attitude about their ability to write.