15 Summer Writing Camps for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Sep 19
- 10 min read
Updated: Oct 13
If you're a middle school student who enjoys writing or wants to explore storytelling in a fun, supportive environment, summer writing camps are a great place to start. These programs help you build confidence, experiment with new genres, and sharpen your creative and academic writing skills.
Camps are short, focused ways to explore a field of interest, and are usually more financially accessible than pre-college programs or immersions!
From poetry and fiction to journalism and personal essays, each camp offers guided instruction, interactive workshops, and plenty of opportunities to share your work.
Whether you're looking to improve your writing or just want a creative outlet during the summer, we've rounded up 15 summer writing camps for middle school students.
15 Summer Writing Camps for Middle School Students
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type (need-based financial aid available)
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: 8-week program (multiple cycles offered year-round)
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines throughout the year, you can apply using this application link
Eligibility: Open to middle school students in grades 6–8
The Junior Explorer Program is designed to help you strengthen your academic writing skills while working one-on-one with a mentor from leading universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, and Oxford. Over the course of eight weeks, you’ll choose an area of interest ranging from history, sociology, international relations, or psychology, and develop a research-based project. The program emphasizes building skills in structuring arguments, synthesizing sources, and presenting ideas clearly in written form. With individualized feedback from your mentor, you’ll practice drafting, revising, and polishing a piece of writing that reflects your growing academic voice.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small cohorts with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio
Dates: Varies by cohort
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 6–8
The AI Trailblazers program introduces you to artificial intelligence and machine learning while also strengthening your ability to write about technical topics in a clear and structured way. Alongside coding in Python and exploring areas like regression, neural networks, and AI ethics, you’ll be expected to document your process, reflect on your findings, and communicate results through short written reports. Mentors guide you not only in building projects such as music genre classifiers or educational resource recommenders, but also in presenting your work in a format that mirrors academic writing. By the end of the program, you’ll gain experience in blending technical learning with writing skills, preparing you to explain complex ideas in a polished and professional manner. You can apply here.
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Cohort size: 12 students
Dates: Summer program: July 7 – 25; Fall semester meetings: August 27 – December 10
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: U.S. students currently in grades 6–7 from low-income families (average household income ~$55,000); must attend both summer and fall components
The Stanford Middle School Scholars Program helps you transition into more rigorous academics by combining a three-week summer course with weekly sessions through the fall. A major focus is on strengthening academic writing, where you’ll learn to organize ideas, build clear arguments, and present your thoughts in a polished and structured format. Instructors, many of whom hold Ph.D.s, will guide you through various assignments, discussions, and reflective exercises that prepare you for selective high schools and future enrichment opportunities. Beyond writing, you’ll explore high school options, strengthen math skills, and develop habits for academic growth.
Location: Session 1 on campus at UCLA; Session 2 virtual
Cost: Varies by session
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; small group workshops with individual attention
Dates: 2-week summer sessions (specific dates vary by workshop)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students entering grades 5–12 in fall (Crafting the Story: grades 5–6; Literary Adventures: grades 7–8)
The UCLA Writing Project offers summer workshops that help middle school students strengthen their writing skills across multiple genres while discovering their own voice. In programs such as Crafting the Story (grades 5–6) and Literary Adventures (grades 7–8), you’ll practice drafting both short and extended pieces, receive feedback from peers and teachers, and revise your work into polished final drafts. Throughout the session, you'll explore various writing styles, including narrative, analytical, and creative approaches. This will help you develop your ability to convey ideas effectively and persuasively. By the end of the session, you’ll have a portfolio of work, have contributed to an anthology, and will have gained more confidence in your academic writing skills.
Location: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL
Cost: $325 for one week; $550 for two weeks; scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; small group workshops with teacher guidance
Dates: Week 1: July 21 – 25; Week 2: July 28 – August 1
Application Deadline: Pre-registration required; rolling until capacity is filled
Eligibility: Students entering grades 1–12; writing tracks offered for grades 5–7 (intermediate) and grades 7–12 (secondary)
The University of Illinois Writing Project hosts summer camps designed to help middle school students expand their writing skills in a collaborative environment. In the intermediate and secondary tracks, you’ll experiment with a variety of genres ranging from poetry and flash fiction to short stories, plays, and personal essays while also practicing academic writing techniques such as structuring arguments and refining your narrative voice. Teachers guide small groups and provide focused feedback, ensuring that you learn how to plan, draft, and revise pieces into polished final work. Technology is integrated into the program, allowing you to create and store your writing digitally while developing skills for research and presentation.
Location: Interlochen Center for the Arts, Interlochen, Michigan
Cost: $7,265 (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective admissions
Dates: Session 1: June 28 – July 18; Session 2: July 19 – August 9
Application Deadline: Session 1 applications open September 1; Session 2 deadline TBD
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6–8
Interlochen’s Creative Writing Camp gives middle school students the chance to strengthen their craft across fiction, poetry, and stage writing while also practicing the skills central to academic writing. In small, workshop-style classes, you’ll learn how to give and receive constructive feedback, revise drafts based on critique, and build a portfolio that reflects your growth as a writer. Beyond daily classes, you’ll attend forums led by professional authors on topics like character building, journal submissions, and the craft of revision. By the end of the session, you’ll have contributed to a published anthology, performed at an open mic reading, and gained confidence in presenting your ideas in both creative and academic formats.
Location: Thurber Center, Columbus, OH
Cost: Tuition includes all supplies, camp t-shirt, and daily snack (exact cost not specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Enrollment capped at 40 students per week; groups of 10 students per counselor; first-come, first-served
Dates: Weekly sessions in the summer (specific dates vary by grade level)
Application Deadline: Rolling; open until filled (early registration recommended due to limited spots)
Eligibility: Students entering grades 2–9
In this camp, you’ll experiment with storytelling, poetry, and creative nonfiction while also practicing the skills needed to structure ideas and present them clearly. Small group sizes ensure that you’ll receive personal attention from counselors, with time built in for drafting, revising, and sharing your work aloud. By working closely with peers in daily workshops, you’ll also gain experience in providing and receiving constructive feedback, much like in professional writing settings. The program strikes a balance between structure and creativity, encouraging you to build a portfolio of polished work that reflects your unique voice as a developing writer.
Location: Denver, CO and Online
Cost: $250 for half-day camps; $520 for full-day Summer Intensive; scholarships available (up to 100%)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; open enrollment until full
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: Rolling; early registration recommended
Eligibility: Ages 8–18 (middle school students typically ages 11–13 for Creative Writing Exploration or eligible for Summer Intensive)
Lighthouse Writers Workshop offers summer programs that give young people a chance to explore their creativity like real writers. You can join Creative Writing Exploration or choose from themed camps focused on poetry, screenwriting, science fiction, fantasy, or even storytelling inspired by Dungeons & Dragons. The week is structured around daily workshops, writing games, and group discussions, with teaching led by award-winning authors who focus on helping students find their voice. For those who want a more in-depth experience, the Summer Intensive provides a full-day schedule that pushes students to produce and refine longer works. Camps are designed to be welcoming to all skill levels, whether you’ve been scribbling stories for years or are just learning how to put ideas on the page.
Location: Camp Danbee, Peru, MA
Cost: $4,200 (limited financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: August 11 – 22
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: Rising 5th–12th graders
Staying at WriCampia for almost two weeks is a chance to spend mornings in writing workshops led by published authors and playwrights, and afternoons taking electives like zine-making, songwriting, sports, and ceramics. You’ll draft original creative pieces, play inventive writing games, and even have the option to submit work for Writopia’s annual anthology. Older campers often take advantage of the chance to start or polish their college essays with experienced mentors. Outside of workshops, the camp offers a range of activities, including campfires, scavenger hunts, swimming, boating, and track-based projects such as filmmaking, newspaper writing, and role-playing games.
Location: The Muse Writers Center, Norfolk, VA
Cost/Stipend: Not specified (snacks and supplies included)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 21 – July 25
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to middle school students, generally ages 11–13 (parent/guardian permission required)
This camp gives middle school students a chance to experiment with different forms of creative expression in a relaxed, collaborative setting. Each day highlights a new type of writing — from poetry and fiction to songwriting and comics. You’ll draft original work, share ideas with peers, and bring your imagination to life on the page and through illustrations. Sessions are guided by published authors and experienced instructors, who encourage both new and seasoned writers to develop their voices.
Location: Writopia Lab (multiple U.S. locations + online)
Cost/Stipend: $645 (limited financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; application required (rolling admissions)
Dates: School year program (ongoing sessions)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 6–8
The AWE program is designed for middle schoolers who want to take their writing more seriously and grow in a community of peers with the same focus. Workshops blend multi-genre exploration with in-depth master classes on specific forms, such as fiction, poetry, or playwriting. You’ll get regular feedback from both instructors and fellow writers, with the chance to refine and expand your creative voice. Each student also participates in a private session tailored to individual goals, whether that’s strengthening academic essays, drafting admissions pieces, or pursuing a favorite creative project. The program serves as a bridge into more advanced opportunities, including Writopia’s Creative Portfolio program for high school students.
Location: 92NY, New York City, NY
Cost: $1,800 (ages 12–14); $2,600 (ages 15–18)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Ages 12–14: open enrollment; Ages 15–18: application required (rolling admissions)
Dates: July 14 – 24 (ages 12–14); July 14 – 31 (ages 15–18)
Application Deadline: July 8 (for ages 15–18); rolling registration otherwise
Eligibility: Students ages 12–18
This summer program at 92NY brings together teen writers of different ages and levels of experience for daily workshops in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Younger participants (12–14) spend two weeks exploring creative prompts, writing exercises, and peer critique, while older students (15–18) undertake a three-week intensive that covers poetry, fiction, and nonfiction genres, including journalism and personal essays. Each day blends reading, discussion, and roundtable workshops designed to sharpen your writing voice and critical feedback skills. Students 17 and older can also apply for summer housing.
Location: GrubStreet’s Center for Creative Writing, Boston, MA
Cost: Not specified (daily lunch included; final Anthology Week is free)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 60 students per session, divided into cohorts of 7–14
Dates: Session 1: June 23 – July 3; Session 2: July 7 – July 18; Session 3: July 21 – August 1; Session 4: August 4 – August 15; Anthology Week: August 18 – August 22
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: Students ages 13–18
At GrubStreet’s Teen Summer Writing Sessions, you’ll spend two weeks immersed in creative writing with peers who share your passion for storytelling. Each session combines small-group, genre-based workshops with community events like open mics, author talks, and collaborative writing activities. You’ll also take part in a college and professional writing day, and by the end of the summer, all participants are invited to contribute to the YAWP Anthology, published by GrubStreet.
Location: Primarily online, with in-person workshops and events in Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; space-limited for mentoring
Dates: November – June (seasonal program; workshops held monthly, plus Writing Wednesdays)
Application Deadline: Rolling (mentoring availability subject to waitlist)
Eligibility: Open to teens who identify as girls, women, gender-expansive, trans, nonbinary, or femme
WriteGirl combines creative writing workshops with personalized mentoring to help teens strengthen both writing skills and self-expression. Workshops are interactive and cover genres such as poetry, fiction, songwriting, journalism, screenwriting, and comedy, with guest speakers, music, and even a “Soapbox” session where participants can freely share their thoughts. Writing Wednesdays provide shorter, online evening sessions on specialized topics like travel writing and spoken word, while monthly Saturday workshops dive deeper into specific genres. Mentoring is offered in several formats: brief one-on-one pairings during workshops, weekly mentorships (subject to a waitlist), and project-based guidance for portfolios or long-term writing projects.
Location: Washington, D.C. (Edmund Burke School, Hera Hub DC) and Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 8–12 students per session
Dates: June 16 – August 22 (multiple weeklong sessions)
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: Rising 6th–12th graders (sessions divided by grade level)
District Writers’ Academy offers small-group summer writing camps where students can explore creative expression while sharpening academic writing skills. The program includes a Jr. Storytellers “Write-Your-Book” camp for middle schoolers, a senior-level creative writing workshop with a focus on eco-writing, and intensive college essay boot camps for high schoolers preparing for college applications. Each camp emphasizes hands-on writing, group exercises, and individual feedback in a supportive, non-judgmental setting. With enrollment capped at 8–12 students per session, participants receive close mentorship and the chance to develop confidence as both writers and thinkers.
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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