Young Writers’ Camp
Sponsored by: Gate City Writes
Campers at the UNCG Young Writers’ Camp create 21st century texts using digital tools such as storyboarding, blogging, and movie-making during this two week camp experience. In daily writing workshops, campers work with UNCG faculty, graduate students, NC teachers, and local authors. The camp introduces young writers to the writing process, unlocks strategies of professional writers, and supports development of variety of writing styles. All work is published on our website.
The UNCG Young Writers’ Camp is held for two weeks in July, Monday through Friday. Campers have the option of attending half day or full day sessions. Our morning session runs from 9:00 am-12:00 pm. During this session campers write about a topic of choice in a genre they prefer. Afternoon sessions are 1:00-4:00 PM and offer specialized instruction of topics such as fiction, poetry, making, etc. Campers attending full-day sessions should bring their own lunch. Enrollment is limited to 100 students. Students will be divided into different sections based on grade level (e.g., K-2, 3-5; 6-8; and 9-12). Each section will have approximately 30 students and at least two instructors. Enrollment is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Upcoming Camp Dates
June 19-30, 2023 | Community Voices
July 10-21, 2023 | K-5th graders
July 24-Aug 4, 2023 | 6th-12th graders
Registration and payment will open February 2023
Campers can attend a general session OR special topics course (half-day) or
general session + a special topics course (full-day).
Half-day camp for 2 weeks = $275 | Full-day camp for 2 weeks = $500
- General Session (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM for two weeks; K-12): This session begins with an author talk. We invite local authors to come speak to our campers about their writing process. After the short talk, campers are divided into groups based on their grade level. Writing coaches take campers through the writing process (brainstorming, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing). Campers will have the opportunity to write, engage in mini-lessons based on their writing needs, brainstorm and revise with peers, and read aloud their writing to an audience. Campers can write about a topic of their choice in a genre of their choice. Campers’ work is published online.
- General Session in Spanish (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM for two weeks): This session is designed for students going into grades 1-5 who already speak Spanish and receive instruction in Spanish. The day will begin with the other campers for an author talk. We invite local authors to come speak to our campers about their writing process. After the short talk, campers will have their own class held in Spanish where the instructor will guide campers through the writing process in Spanish (brainstorming, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing). Campers will have the opportunity to write, engage in mini-lessons based on their writing needs, brainstorm and revise with peers, and read aloud their writing to an audience. Campers can write about a topic of their choice in a genre of their choice. Campers’ work is published online.
- Special Topic Workshops (1:00-4:00 PM for two weeks): We offer afternoon sessions that focus on a special topic. Please read the descriptions of those workshops in the What We Offer section. Each workshop caters to a specific grade level.
- 9am -12pm: General session
- 12-1 pm: Lunch with counselors (bring your own)
- 1-4 pm: Special topics classes: TBA (e.g., robotics, making, art)
- 9am – 12pm: General session
- 12-1 pm: Lunch with counselors (bring your own)
- 1-4 pm: Special topics classes: TBA (e.g., fiction, spoken word, podcasting)
Parent Orientation
There are two options available to attend a parent orientation held via Zoom. Parents may attend on Wednesday, July 5 at 6:00 PM OR Saturday, July 8 at 10:00 AM. During the orientation, you will get to meet our instructors, hear about our daily schedule, and ask questions to our staff.
We will also have two drop in times (Thursday, July 6 from 5:00-6:30 PM OR Saturday, July 8 from 11:00- 1:00 PM) for parents and campers who would like to pick up their camp packet and get a tour of the classrooms. Campers who do not retrieve their camp packet during one of these times will receive it on the first day of camp.
Parking – You may park for free in any parking lot designated for C-permits. There is a C-permit lot across the street from the School of Education Building.
COVID-19 Policy
We are following UNC Greensboro’s COVID-19 protocols. Face coverings are optional. Hand sanitizer will be provided for each classroom. Campers are in large classrooms and we will practice social distancing as much as possible. We ask that staff and campers who are sick, or if someone in their household is sick, stay home. If your child becomes sick in class, we will call you immediately to pick him/her up.
Student Works
Below you will find student works that were created during our most recent summer camp.
Why Write?
“When I am writing, I am trying to find out who I am, who we are, what we’re capable of, how we feel, how we lose and stand up, and go on from darkness into darkness. I’m trying for that. But I’m also trying for the language. I’m trying to see how it can really sound. I really love language. I love it for what it does for us, how it allows us to explain the pain and the glory, the nuances and delicacies of our existence. And then it allows us to laugh, allows us to show wit. Real wit is shown in language. We need language.”
– Maya Angelou
Why do young writers choose this camp?
- Campers share their work with other writers
- Authors speak to the campers about their writing experiences and they answer questions about writing
- It’s not like school because it is creative, non-judgmental, and fun Campers create friendships fast
- Writers get to choose what they want to write about
Why would parents or teachers recommend the camp for young writers?
- Campers have opportunities to meet and talk with authors. Past campers have maintained communication with authors and continue to receive advice about writing.
- Campers have the opportunity to engage in 21st century literacies, which are linked to current teaching and learning standards.
- Young writers are given time to work individually, with peers, and with certified NC teachers.
- Young writers will have the opportunity to share their writing during a reading on the last day of camp, at a display table at the Grasshopper’s game, with young writers in Africa, and as an online publication on this website.
Science in 3D; 3rd-5th graders
July 10-21; 1:00-4:00 PM
Instructors: TBA
Campers will engage in a study of macro and micro aquaria in the UNCG wetlands and nature journaling around the UNCG campus. This will serve as inspiration for students to share the wonders of the natural world with others through the creation of virtual reality environments.
Art of the Picturebook; K-2nd graders
July 10-21; 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Instructor: TBA
Campers will have the opportunity to create artwork associated with their writing. Campers will study a familiar genre–picturebooks–and learn how authors and illustrators create meaning with both words and images. Campers will create their own picturebook too.
Making and Storytelling; 3rd-5th graders
July 10-21; 1:00-4:00 PM
Instructors: TBA
Campers will have the chance to use Scratch, MaKey MaKey, green screen, stop motion animation, escape rooms (both physical and digital), Twine, Book Creator, laser engraving, and 3D printing. They will use these tools to create a final project connected with a piece of writing.
Arte y escritura; 3rd-5th graders
July 10-21; 1:00-4:00 PM
Instructors: TBA
This class will be held in Spanish. Campers will engage in various art and writing activities, drawing from different genres such as poetry and fantasy.
Making and Writing; 6-8th graders
July 24-Aug 4; 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Instructor: TBA
Campers will have the chance to use Scratch, MaKey MaKey, green screen, stop motion animation, escape rooms (both physical and digital), Twine, Book Creator, laser engraving, and 3D printing. They will use these tools to create a final project connected with a piece of writing.
Poetry; 9-12th graders
July 25-Aug 5; 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Justin Nash
What is this thing we call a line break, and what makes poetry different from anything else? What can we do in verse that we can’t do elsewhere? In this dynamic and engaging two-week workshop, students will set their own goals for writing. With frequent exercises to inspire and spur creation, as well as readings from contemporary poets (with an eye for how they reinvent and overturn classical traditions), students will gain experience with a wide range of poetic styles. The class will conclude with a reading of students’ original work and the opportunity to publish their work.
Fiction; 9-12th graders
July 24-Aug 4; 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Instructor: TBA
How do stories draw us in and make us want to keep reading? In this class we’ll discuss the things writers do to create a compelling story—like set up a potent conflict, develop complicated characters, and show us vivid details. Then we’ll learn how to bring these narrative elements to the page. The class will take you through the major steps of writing fiction: finding story ideas, drafting, revising, and editing. In the first week, we’ll do a range of fun activities and exercises to generate ideas. Then you’ll move on to drafting a story or novel chapter in any genre of fiction you like (realistic, fantasy, historical, science fiction, etc.). In the second week, you’ll finish your draft and practice revising and editing. You’ll have the opportunity to share your work in a friendly, supportive environment and to help your fellow writers take their work to the next stage. By the end of camp, you’ll have a polished work to publish on our website. And you’ll go home with some tools you can use to write your next great work of fiction.
Campers can attend a general session OR special topics course (half-day) or general session + a special topics course (full-day).
Half-day camp for 2 weeks = $275 | Full-day camp for 2 weeks = $500
Refund Policy: Full refunds will be given by June 6. There will be a $30 processing fee. No refunds can be granted after June 6.
Registration
Tuition includes all materials, snacks, drinks, and a camp T-shirt.
Scholarship Information
We will consider campers for for a needs-based scholarship. Please indicate on the registration form that you would like to be considered for a scholarship and answer the posed questions. We require a $25 non-refundable deposit.
Parent Orientation
Parent Orientation is held in the School of Education building at UNC Greensboro. You may park for free in any parking lot designated for C-permits. There is a C-permit lot across the street from the School of Education Building. Please read over the following documents if you are unable to attend.
All parents/guardians, please take note of the following:
- If you DO NOT attend the orientation on Saturday, please review the paperwork in your child’s camp folder and you or your child can return it to their instructor during the first camp week. All forms will be emailed to you as well. They are also posted below. Parents are also welcome to park their car in the Oakland Deck (off of Forest Avenue) and walk their child into the building on MONDAY. We will be in front of room 118.
Campus Accessibility Map
The Office of Accessibility Resources & Services produces a Campus Accessibility Map with clearly marked accessible routes for the UNC Greensboro campus.
Animals on Campus
If you have questions about the UNC Greensboro policy for guide animals, trained assistance animals, emotional support animals, and pet animals on campus groups and in campus facilities, please refer to Animals on Campus webpage.
Click on the links below to review materials from our camp.
Publications
Take a look at our most recent publications.
Contact
If you have any questions about Young Writers’ Camp, please contact Dr. Amy Vetter at amvetter@uncg.edu