Young Writers' Camp (YWC)
The San Diego Area Writing Project offers a variety of opportunities for students to grow and build self-confidence in their writing abilities. Our summer Young Writers' Camp (YWC) programs range from creative writing to improving analytic writing and writing the college admission essay.
Teachers working with San Diego Area Writing Project share the belief that writing is a process. Young Writers' Camp engages students in that process and allows them to discover their own style, voice and potential. Our goal is that each young writer, regardless of skill level, has the time and space to experiment in a variety of genres while developing creativity and confidence.
Basic Information
What is Young Writers' Camp?
Young Writer's Camp is a 10-day summer program that inspires creative thinking and writing. Students explore writing styles and methods of self-expression with new friends.
Participating Young Writers:
- are challenged to grow and build self-confidence as writers.
- write in an environment designed to inspire creativity.
- receive individual attention in small groups from SDAWP writing teachers.
- meet and share writing in a multi-age classroom with young writers from throughout the county.
- engage in process writing: drafting, writing, revising, editing and publishing.
- publish and receive an anthology, including writing from each camper.
- develop writing skills as tools for self-expression.
Who should attend?
Programs are offered for students entering grades 3rd-9th grade. Classes will be split up by grade level bands such as: 3-5, 5-7, 7-9.
Here is what parents have said before about our camps:
"My daughter absolutely loved this camp. The positive encouragement, new friendships and creativity she found has sparked a fondness for writing that did not exist before."
"My son loved your camp! You have a great, enthusiastic staff and a super program. The works he created and brought home blew us away! I'm really proud of him and what he accomplished during your program. We are looking forward to doing it again next year."
"Initially, I thought she would be bored out of her mind. Every day when I picked her up she was happy and full of energy. I believe the creative writing experience positively impacted my child's mind."
"He had a blast! The first day he was excited to inform me that 'this is different from school and it is really cool.' And I saw him working on his writing after camp at home--during the summer--that shows how engaged he was! Thank you for such a wonderful experience."
Where will camp be held?
Camps are held on UC San Diego campus. Details about camp location and drop-off and pick-up will be shared as the camp date approached.
When will camp be held?
Young Writers' Camp 10-days is back this summer from July 8-19, 2024 on UC San Diego campus.
How do I register my child?
You can register for the 10-day camp by clicking this link: ucsdywc.eventbrite.com
How much does camp cost?
Registration cost for the YWC 10-day camp is $500 per camper. This includes all materials. Registration costs for all SDAWP camps include a $50 non-refundable processing fee.
Are there scholarships available for camp?
A limited number of partial scholarships are available for these programs. Please email our office at sdawp.ucsd.edu to see if your family qualifies for a need-based scholarship. Click here to access this summer's Scholarship Application.
SDAWP's COPPA Statement
SDAWP and YWC cares about your child's privacy and safety. View COPPA Statement (Word file).
The San Diego Area Writing Project at UCSD recognizes that writing is a catalyst for the broad expression of ideas and opinions. We consider written expression by participants in our programs to be an opportunity for further dialogue and discussion. Teachers facilitating our programs make every effort to provide an environment that allows for all opinions and ideas to be shared, within the context of appropriate audience.
