15 Creative Writing Camps for High School Students

If you are a high school student who wants to explore writing beyond your English class, a creative writing camp can be a useful place to begin. Camps give you focused time to write, read, and experiment with ideas in a way that regular schoolwork rarely allows. You work with instructors who guide you through drafts, structure, and feedback, helping you understand how writers develop their work step by step.

How are camps different from regular writing programs for high school students?

Camps are also different from longer programs. They run for a short period, often a few days or weeks, and focus on hands-on practice instead of long academic schedules. This makes them easier to manage during the school year and a more affordable option for students who want to try something new without a major commitment.

What will I do in a creative writing camp?

A creative writing camp gives you direct experience with workshop discussions, revision habits, and the creative process. You learn how to build characters, shape narratives, or write poems with clarity, all while meeting peers who share your interest in writing. These experiences also give you strong material for future portfolios, applications, and personal projects.

With that in mind, here are 15 creative writing camps for high school students!

15 Creative Writing Camps for High School Students

1. Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop

Cost: $2,575 (need-based financial aid is available)

Location: Kenyon College, Gambier, OH

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective

Dates: June 21 – July 4 | July 12 – 25

Application Deadline: March 1

Eligibility: High school students aged 16-18 at the time of the program

The Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop is a two-week program for high school students interested in developing their writing. You take part in daily workshops, craft talks, and readings that help you strengthen your work in fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. Instructors guide you through hands-on writing sessions where you produce original pieces such as short stories, poems, and essays. The program builds a supportive community where you can try different forms and voices and receive feedback from peers and instructors. You also have the chance to meet one-on-one with instructors to discuss your writing and build a portfolio of new work.

2. Immerse Education’s Academic Insights Pathway

Location: Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto, and Boston

Cost: Varies; financial aid available

Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions.

Program Dates: 2 weeks during the summer

Eligibility: Students aged 13-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school

The Academic Insights Program provides school students with an opportunity to take undergraduate-level classes at universities around the world. You will work with academics from universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard in classes of 4-10 students. They attend university-style lectures and 1:1 weekly sessions with their tutor. The program includes practical experiences such as dissections in medicine, robotic arm building in engineering, or moot courts for law. You can choose from over 20 subjects, including architecture, artificial intelligence, business management, computer science, economics, medicine, philosophy, and more. By the end of the program, they complete a personal project and receive written feedback and a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.

3. Iowa Young Writers' Studio

Cost: $2,500, and some full scholarships are available based on financial need.

Location: University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA.

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive, with each course batch numbering not more than 10 students

Dates: June 14 – 27 | July 12 – 25

Application Deadline: February 1

Eligibility: Students currently in grades 10, 11, or 12.

The Iowa Young Writers’ Studio is a program for high school students who want to focus on creative writing in a concentrated setting. You choose one core course, such as poetry, fiction, creative writing, TV writing, or playwriting, and spend your time in workshops, readings, and discussions. Each course has seminar sessions where you read and analyze literature from a writer’s perspective, and workshop sessions where you and your peers give focused feedback on one writer’s work at a time. The program offers a look at what it is like to study writing in college, with attention to craft, technique, and sharing work in a supportive environment.

4. Emrys Creative Writing Camp

Cost: $525

Location: Houston, Texas

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective. Typically, 20 students per session

Dates: Varies by grade, multiple one-week sessions available for high schoolers from June 9 to July 25

Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines by session

Eligibility: Incoming 9th to 12th graders

The Emrys Creative Writing Camp introduces you to different writing genres, including fiction, poetry, and screenwriting. You work with instructors who hold advanced degrees in writing and take part in sessions that cover topics such as haikus, sonnets, novel writing, and poetry. Throughout the camp, you practice writing in multiple forms and build confidence in your creative process. The program ends with a public reading where you can share your finished work.

5. Interlochen Arts Camp – Creative Writing Program

Cost: $7,265 (financial aid is available)

Location: Interlochen Center for the Arts, Interlochen, MI

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: June 28 – July 18 | July 19 – August 9

Application Deadline: January 15

Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12

Interlochen Arts Camp’s Creative Writing program gives high school students a space to explore and strengthen their writing. You choose a focus area such as fiction, nonfiction, playwriting, or poetry and take part in daily workshops, readings, and master classes. The program also includes interdisciplinary activities, giving you the chance to collaborate with students in other arts disciplines. You receive guidance from experienced faculty who help you build both creative and technical skills.

6. California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA) Writing Program

Cost: $5,174 for CA residents, $10,475 for out-of-state and international students. CA students can apply for financial aid.

Location: California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), Valencia, CA

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective, with a 40% acceptance rate

Dates: Four weeks in July

Application Deadline: February 28

Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in grades 8 through 12

CSSSA’s Creative Writing program is a competitive, state-supported summer school that gives high school students a four-week immersion in writing. You take part in core writing workshops, choose a focus class in a specific genre or approach, and join discussions with visiting writers. The program also includes a Saturday colloquium where you share your work and an opportunity to contribute to a literary anthology. The faculty includes playwrights, poets, and writers who guide you through a concentrated period of writing and revision while giving you room to experiment.

7. Alpha Workshop for Young Writers

Cost: $1,800

Location: University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, Greensburg, PA

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective

Dates: July 16 – 25

Application Deadline: March 21

Eligibility: High school students (ages 14-19) interested in speculative fiction.

The Alpha Workshop for Young Writers is a two-week residential program for high school students who want to write science fiction, fantasy, or horror. You work closely with professional authors and editors, take part in daily workshops, and receive individual feedback on your writing. The program focuses on the core elements of speculative fiction, including world-building, character development, plot and structure, and pacing. You also learn about the publishing process, including how writers prepare work for publication and how the industry operates.

8. Juniper Young Writers Institute

Cost: $5,100 for residential, $2,200 for commuter

Location: University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: July 13 – 26 | July 27 – August 9

Application Deadline: March 7

Eligibility: Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders

The Juniper Young Writers Institute at UMass Amherst is a two-week program for high school students interested in poetry and fiction. You take part in small writing workshops, attend readings by visiting authors, and join sessions that focus on craft and technique. The program encourages you to develop your own writing voice and deepen your understanding of how literature works. You also get a look at student life at UMass Amherst and spend time with professional writers and the local literary community.

9. Sewanee Young Writers' Conference

Cost: $2,600

Location: University of the South, Sewanee, TN

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective, not more than 85 students accepted

Dates: June 28 – July 11

Application Deadline: March 2

Eligibility: Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders.

The Sewanee Young Writers’ Conference is a two-week program held on the University of the South campus for high school students interested in creative writing. You take part in intensive workshops in fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction led by experienced faculty. In addition to workshops, you attend daily readings, craft talks, and have opportunities for one-on-one meetings with instructors. The schedule also leaves time for writing, reading, and reflection, giving you space to explore different styles and develop your work.

10. Reynolds Young Writers Workshop

Cost: $1,700; full scholarships for room and board are available based on financial need, making it a highly accessible option.

Location: Denison University, Granville, Ohio

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective, only 48 students admitted

Dates: 8 days in June or July

Application Deadline: March 3

Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors

The Reynolds Young Writers Workshop is an eight-day residential program for high school sophomores and juniors who want to focus on creative writing. You take part in small morning workshops that cover core writing skills, followed by sessions with visiting writers and afternoon activities that explore specific genres and topics in more depth. The schedule gives you time to work on your own writing in both guided and independent settings. You also have opportunities for one-on-one conversations with Reynolds faculty to discuss your work and get feedback.

11. Sarah Lawrence College Summer Writers Week for High School Students

Cost: $1,750

Location: Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, NY

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: July 21 – 25 | August 4 – 8

Application Deadline: Applications open in January and close in April.

Eligibility: Rising 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders

Sarah Lawrence College Summer Writers Week for High School Students is a one-week program that introduces you to the college’s approach to writing. You explore fiction, poetry, memoir, and other genres through workshops and one-on-one conferences with faculty. The program focuses on close reading, peer feedback, and developing your own writing voice. It offers a short but structured experience that reflects the style of college-level writing courses and helps you strengthen your craft.

12. Young Writers Workshop at Bard College at Simon's Rock

Cost: $3,600

Location: Bard College at Simon's Rock, Great Barrington, MA

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective

Dates: July 6 – 26

Application Deadline: Applications open in November and close in May.

Eligibility: Current 9th through 11th graders

The Young Writers Workshop at Bard College at Simon’s Rock is a three-week summer program for high school students who want to focus on creative writing. Held on the Great Barrington campus, it is part of the National Writing and Thinking Network and follows Bard’s Language and Thinking Program model. You explore a wide range of genres, including poetry, fiction, memoir, drama, and hybrid forms. The program includes daily writing workshops, collaborative writing sessions with instructors, literary discussions that draw on varied texts and art, and regular peer feedback to help you revise and strengthen your work. You also receive guidance from college-level faculty throughout the program.

13. Great Smokies Young Writers Workshop

Cost: $1,440

Location: University of North Carolina at Asheville, Asheville, NC

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: June 14 – 19 | June 21 – 26

Application Deadline: Applications open around mid-December and close when sessions are full

Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors

The Great Smokies Writing Program for Young Writers, hosted by UNC Asheville, is a week-long immersion in creative writing. You choose a focus area such as fiction, poetry, or screenwriting and take part in daily workshops, readings, and conversations about publishing. The program offers a supportive space to develop your writing, receive feedback from instructors, and connect with peers and experienced authors. You also have opportunities to share your work and practice presenting your writing to others.

14. Young Writers' Camp at Lighthouse Writers Workshop

Cost: Varies by camp

Location: Lighthouse Writers Workshop, Denver, CO

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment for many camps; some specialized camps may have limited spots.

Dates: Multiple week-long sessions throughout June, July, and August.

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions

Eligibility: Specific grade ranges for each camp, typically rising 9th to 12th graders.

The Young Writers Program at Lighthouse Writers Workshop helps children and teens build their writing skills and connect with a creative community. The program is designed to support you as you find your voice through workshops led by published and experienced authors. You can choose from in-person or online workshops in fiction, poetry, memoir, and other genres. Sessions run on weekends, after school, during school breaks, and through community partnerships, giving you flexible options throughout the year. The program offers half-day and full-day summer camps from June through August. These camps focus on creativity, collaboration, and hands-on writing activities for all age groups.

15. Yale Young Writers’ Workshop

Cost: Typically between $1,320 to $3,275 

Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective

Dates: June 21 – 26

Application Deadline: April 1

Eligibility: Rising high school seniors aged 16-18

The Yale Young Writers' Workshop provides an intensive, one-week summer experience for students to focus deeply on their craft. Over the course of six workshop sessions covering a variety of writing genres and techniques, you will deepen your skills and connect with other creative writers. The program is led by distinguished Yale faculty and writing fellows, offering a rigorous environment for creative exploration. The group workshops in particular allow you to receive feedback on a 3000-word piece as well as advanced tips and techniques from your instructor, allowing you to grow your craft and get insider insights. 

One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.

Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

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