15 Summer Creative Writing Programs for Middle School Students

If you are a middle school student passionate about storytelling, poetry, or journalism, a summer creative writing program can provide both inspiration and practical exposure to the field. Writing programs often go beyond simple prompts, offering opportunities to work in advanced academic environments, practice writing and editing, and get insights into the publishing world or other writing-related careers. As a participant, you may also get to explore new writing styles that will come in handy as you apply for an undergraduate program.

Summer creative writing programs for middle school students are often more affordable than traditional pre-college programs, and several in the list below are free or partially funded. Many of them are hosted by universities, arts centers, and literary nonprofits, providing you with access to professional writers, writing workshops, and even peer-reviewed publishing opportunities.

To help you find the right option, here is our list of 15 summer creative writing programs for middle school students. We have prioritized opportunities that offer rigor, mentorship, networking opportunities, and selectivity.

15 Summer Creative Writing Programs for Middle School Students

1. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program

Location: Virtual

Acceptance rate: Selective

Dates: Summer Cohort I starts on June 2 and Summer Cohort II starts on July 14; the program typically runs for eight weeks

Application deadline: Summer Cohort I: April 13 | Summer Cohort II: June 23

Eligibility: Middle school students with a strong academic background

The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program (JEP) is a research-based experience for middle school students interested in exploring creative writing, architecture, engineering, business, and other fields. Here, you will collaborate with Ph.D. mentors from universities like Stanford, Harvard, MIT, and Yale to create independent research projects based on your interests. This program can help you develop critical thinking skills, scientific inquiry, and research skills, preparing you for academic competitions and future research opportunities. Through expert mentorship and project development, JEP offers a personalized experience that can help you refine scientific writing and analytical skills.

2. Interlochen Center for the Arts Creative Writing Summer Program

Location: Interlochen Center for the Arts, Interlochen, MI

Cost: $6,985; need-based financial aid is available.

Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Small class sizes; exact details not specified

Dates: Session I: June 22 – July 12 | Session II: July 13 – August 3

Application deadline: Not specified

Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6–8

Interlochen’s creative writing summer program for middle school students offers practical experience in storytelling and guidance from professional writers. You will participate in daily sessions covering fiction, poetry, and stage performance writing. You will also engage in roundtable discussions to invite peer critiques and instructor feedback to refine your work. The program also offers masterclasses on diverse literary topics, opportunities to publish in a camp anthology, and readings by visiting authors. The camp concludes with open mic sessions and a final reading, where you will present your work to others.

3. University of Washington’s Writers Workshop for Middle School

Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Cost: $780 tuition and $50 registration fee; need-based financial aid is available

Acceptance rate: Selective

Dates: Session I: July 14 – 25 | Session II: August 11 – 22

Application deadline: Rolling deadlines

Eligibility: Middle school students

Writers Workshop is a summer program that brings together middle school students with a shared interest in creative writing. Under the guidance of an instructor, you will explore short fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction, generating ideas, drafting, and revising your work individually and in groups. You will also learn to read like writers, express yourself, give and receive feedback, and refine your editing skills. Sessions include writing prompts, text discussions, and the development of a final polished piece, culminating in a showcase of your work. During the program, you will also work on developing creative habits such as reflection, persistence, and thoughtful risk-taking.

4. Alpha: The Young Writers Workshop

Location: University of Pittsburgh, Greensburg, PA

Cost: $1,800; need-based financial aid is available

Cohort size: 20 students

Dates: July 16 – 27

Application deadline: March 21

Eligibility: Middle school students who are 14 years old

Alpha is a 12-day writing workshop for a small cohort of 20 students interested in science fiction, fantasy, and horror. The program offers lectures and writing sessions led by professional authors. Each guest author spends two days teaching, leading exercises, and engaging informally with participants. The workshop covers concepts like idea development, world-building, character creation, structure, and revision, and offers guidance on publishing and navigating the writing industry. During the program, you will write and revise an original short story of at least 2,000 words. Days are structured to include lectures, writing time, group critiques, and informal peer interaction.

5. Thurber House Summer Writing Camp

Location: Thurber Center, Columbus, OH

Cost: $355 tuition + $25 registration fee; need-based financial aid available

Cohort size: 40 students

Dates: Multiple week-long sessions in June and July

Application deadline: Rolling deadlines

Eligibility: Middle school students

The Summer Writing Camp offers middle school students week-long opportunities to explore creative writing through themed activities involving mystery-solving, poetry, and storytelling. Here, you will explore various forms such as prose, poetry, and interactive narratives, using prompts and exercises to overcome writer’s block and develop original content. Key writing exercises include character creation, fantasy writing, and collaborative storytelling. You will work in a group of 10, led by a dedicated counselor, and find opportunities for individual expression and group interaction.

6. Lighthouse Writers Workshop’s Middle School Summer Writing Intensive

Location: Lighthouse Writers Workshop, Denver, CO

Cost: $575; need-based financial aid is available

Cohort size: 12 students

Dates: July 14 – 18

Application deadline: Rolling deadlines

Eligibility: Middle school students

The Lighthouse Summer Writing Intensive, led by experienced, published writers, aims to help middle schoolers cultivate creativity and self-expression. Throughout the week, you will engage with published instructors, gaining insights into various genres and the writing craft, while completing at least one original piece. The program concludes with an optional public reading, giving you the chance to share your work. You may also submit your writing to the annual youth anthology, And We Created Worlds, and will receive a copy of the published collection if your work is included.

7. Grub Street’s Teen Summer Writing Sessions

Location: Grub Street Center for Creative Writing, Boston, MA

Cost: Member: $715 | Non-Member: $750; need-based financial aid is available

Cohort size: 60–70 students/session

Dates: Session One: June 23 – July 3 | Session Two: July 7 – 18 | Session Three: July 21 – August 1 | Session Four: August 4 – 15

Application deadline: Rolling deadlines

Eligibility: Students who are at least 13 years old

GrubStreet’s Teen Summer Writing Sessions offer you the chance to explore various genres and styles of creative writing in a peer environment. Led by accomplished writers and performers, the program organizes small, genre-specific cohorts, offering participants opportunities for cross-group interaction and mentorship. Each two-week program includes instructor-led writing check-ins, open writing time with access to individual mentorship, guest author visits, an immersive day focused on college and professional writing, and an open mic event. You will also be invited to submit your work for publication in the YAWP Anthology and access a final, free anthology-focused session at the end of the summer.

8. The Muse Middle School Creative Writing Summer Camp

Location: The Muse Writers Center, Norfolk, VA

Cost: $269; need-based financial aid is available

Cohort size: 12 students

Dates: July 21 – 25

Application deadline: Rolling deadlines

Eligibility: Middle school students who are 11 – 13 years old

The Middle School Creative Writing Summer Camp offers you the chance to explore various creative writing forms. Each afternoon session focuses on a different mode of expression, including poetry, fiction, comic book creation, and songwriting. You will engage in guided writing activities, reflect on personal experiences, and experiment with imaginative storytelling, all while developing your voice as a young writer. Along with writing, the program can help you practice performing and presenting your ideas.

9. Writopia Lab’s Middle School Advanced Writing Exploration Program

Location: Writopia Lab, New York, NY

Cost: $1,290; limited need-based financial aid available

Acceptance rate/Cohort size: No information available

Dates: July 14 – 23

Application deadline: Rolling deadlines

Eligibility: Students in grades 7 and 8

The Middle School Advanced Writing Exploration Program (AWE) offers you the opportunity to join a group of motivated young writers to explore your interests in writing. The program offers student-driven, author-led workshops across multiple genres, along with specialized master classes. As a participant, you will receive ongoing feedback from both instructors and peers. AWE also includes a one-on-one session tailored to your interests, whether focused on academic essays, admissions writing, or creative work. Designed to both challenge and support writers, the program serves as preparation for Writopia’s Creative Portfolio program, which you can consider enrolling in as a high school student in the future.

10. UCLA Writing Project: Be a Force of Nature 

Location: Virtual or in-person at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA

Cost: $650

Acceptance rate/Cohort size: No information available

Dates: In-person: June 23 – July 3 | Virtual: July 14 – 25

Application deadline: Rolling deadlines

Eligibility: Rising 7th- and 8th-grade students

Offered by UCLA Center X, this summer program will help you learn how to use writing as a tool for social and environmental change. You will craft personal narratives and develop argumentative pieces that advocate for action while reading and engaging with texts focused on nature and ecological issues. You will explore multiple genres, refine your writing style, and build confidence while working on short and lengthy compositions. The workshop includes group sessions, peer feedback, independent writing time, and individual conferences with instructors. If you choose the virtual workshop, you will get access to both live sessions and a self-paced component. You will also contribute to a student anthology and receive a certificate of participation.

11. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Young Writers Camp

Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL

Cost: One Week Attendance: $325 | Two Week Attendance: $550

Acceptance rate/Cohort size: No information available.

Dates: Week One: July 21 – 25 | Week Two: July 28 – August 1

Application deadline: Rolling deadlines

Eligibility: Middle school students

The University of Illinois Writing Project organizes summer writing camps for middle school students. These camps, led by experienced educators, offer you the opportunity to explore various writing genres, such as poetry, short stories, flash fiction, novels, and personal essays. You will also work with digital tools and technologies that support the writing process. You will receive guidance from instructors, work in a small group, and develop original pieces. The program can help you exercise creativity, engage in peer interaction, and build skills through individual and group-based activities.

12. Meredith College Young Writers’ Camp

Location: Meredith College, Raleigh, NC

Cost: $375

Cohort size: 12 students

Dates: Session I: July 21 – 25 | Session II: July 28 – August 1

Application deadline: Rolling deadlines.

Eligibility: Middle school students, ages 10 to 14 

The Young Writers’ Camp week-long summer program, led by faculty from the Meredith College English Department, blends creative writing instruction with opportunities for individual expression and group engagement. Here, you will engage in writing activities and discussions on topics such as characterization, setting, imagery, and dialogue, supported by practical exercises. The program schedule includes time for outdoor recreation, independent writing, and one-on-one conferences with instructors. You will also engage in group feedback sessions and visit the North Carolina Museum of Art to write about visual art. The camp concludes with a reading where you will share your work with family and friends.

13. Georgetown Day School’s The Thrills and Chills of Creative Writing

Location: Georgetown Day School, Washington, DC.

Cost: $730.

Acceptance rate / Cohort size: No information available.

Dates: July 21 - August 1.

Application deadline: Rolling deadlines.

Eligibility: Students in grades 7–9

The Thrills and Chills of Creative Writing offers a focused exploration of the creative process behind engaging storytelling across genres. You will learn to develop strong plots, dynamic characters, effective openings, and narrative techniques such as humor, metaphor, and cliffhangers. Each session involves short writing exercises and group discussions, fostering both creativity and peer learning. The program offers no homework, so you will complete all writing exercises during class time. The experience can help you refine writing skills and practice taking a deeper, more analytical approach to reading and storytelling.

14. McLean School’s Middle School Writing

Location: McLean School, Potomac, MD

Cost: $1,375

Acceptance rate/Cohort size: No information available

Dates: June 23 – July 11

Application deadline: Rolling deadlines

Eligibility: Middle school students entering grades 6–8

This three-week summer creative writing program for middle school students focuses on building foundational writing skills using a multi-sensory approach inspired by the Framing Your Thoughts curriculum. Starting with visual prompts, you will come up with the best word choices to express an idea. Then, you will develop strong sentence structures and organized paragraphs through guided instruction, color coding, and graphic organizers. With support from experienced faculty and participation in one-on-one teacher-led sessions, you will learn how to express ideas clearly and confidently in structured written work. 

15. Education Unlimited Emerging Writers Institute

Location: Virtual or in-person at UC Berkeley, Georgetown University, Stanford University, or UCLA

Cost: $920–$2,755, based on program format and session; need-based financial aid is available.

Acceptance rate/Cohort size: No information available

Dates: Multiple week-long sessions between June and August

Application deadline: Rolling deadlines

Eligibility: Rising 7th – 9th grade students

The Emerging Writers Institute offers creative writing experiences through small-group seminars in fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. It focuses on treating writing as a process rather than a set of rules and formulas. During the program, you will engage in daily workshops, peer feedback, and one-on-one instructor evaluations to practice writing. You will explore new genres through elective sessions such as screenwriting, sci-fi, and travel writing. Reading exercises are integrated throughout to help you build analytical skills. You will select a focused area of study, called a Writer’s Block, and get to read genre-specific works to refine your writing and prepare pieces for publication and presentation. The program concludes with a literary magazine and an informal reading.

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

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