We are no longer accepting registrations for this program. Please check our Remote Writing Course offerings for our current options.
Young Writers Camp Description
Young Writers Camp Locations and Dates
Special Interest Camp – Graphic Novel
How to Register
Young Writers Camp Description (Open to rising 3rd through 9th graders)
This 45-hour camp (2 or 3 weeks depending on site) gives children who are interested in writing the time and opportunity to explore many different genres and writing styles. Our days will be spent doing many things including:
- in-depth writing instruction
- structured writing time
- flexibility in what types of writing each camper would like to pursue
- ample time with trained writing teachers
- guided group and peer response
- daily opportunities to share writing with a small or large audience
The goal of camp is to help our young writers discover the conditions and habits they need to write their best. We want them to start self identifying as writers (what does this mean?). Our teachers strive to help campers grow into independent writers.
Instruction includes craft lessons –how to write dialogue, how to create a believable character, how to incorporate imagery into one’s writing — as well as method lessons — how to get started, the ins and outs of drafting, how to avoid writers block, how to get a lot out of your peer editors, etc.
During camp, our young writers grow in confidence and skill. Freed from the pressures of grades they are able to explore their interests, discover their strengths and take risks that they might not in a traditional school setting. At the end of camp, they know what they know and are encouraged to apply these skills and habits to carve out time to write in and out of school.
Young Writers Camp Locations and Dates
| YWC SF Pacific Heights @ St. Vincent de Paul 2350 Green Street San Francisco, CA 94123 June 15 – 26, 2020 (2 wks) 9:00 am – 1:30 pm $650.00 |
YWC Walnut Creek @ Northgate High School 425 Castle Rock Rd, Walnut Creek, CA 94598 June 15 – 26, 2020 (2 wks) 9:00 am – 1:30 pm $650.00 |
YWC Kentfield @ Kent Middle School 800 College Avenue Kentfield, CA 94904 June 15 – 26, 2020 (2 wks) 9:00 am – 1:30 pm $650.00 |
| YWC Piedmont @ Piedmont Middle School 760 Magnolia Avenue Piedmont, CA 94611 June 15 – 26, 2020 (2 wks) 9:00 am – 1:30 pm $650.00 |
YWC Berkeley @ School of the Madeleine 1225 Milvia Street Berkeley, CA 94709 July 6 – 24, 2020 (3 wks) 9:00 am – 12:00 pm $650.00 |
YWC San Ramon @ Location pending district approval San Ramon, CA 94582 July 6 – 24, 2020 (3 wks) 9:00 am – 12:00 pm $650.00 |
YWC SF Sunset
We are unable to offer a camp in the Sunset neighborhood of San Francisco this summer. In January we learned of the permanent closure of Mercy High School this coming May. Unfortunately our July 2020 camp site reservation is no longer available. Our hearts and our support go out to the Mercy community at this time. It is truly a loss for San Francisco.
Special interest camp – Graphic Novel
| Graphic Novels for the New Times kid UC Berkeley 2121 Berkeley Way Berkeley, CA 94720 Classroom 4500 June 8 – 12, 2020 (1 wk) 9:00 am – 3:00 pm $550.00 Available to those entering grades 4th – 8th |
New technologies, among many things, are altering the ways we read and write. We call it New Times. Information is no longer static as we are bombarded with videos, blogs, articles, podcasts, gifs, tweets and more. How can kids hone their critical thinking skills in order to keep up with the amount of information coming at them? Who knew Graphic Novels were the answer?!
Researchers have found that young readers develop skills and gain better understanding of how to decipher multimodal communication when they read Graphic Novels. The combination of text and pictures that occurs in Graphic Novels helps our kids to better understand and decipher word-image messages like those that occur with advertising and online.
Research aside, Comics and Graphic Novels tell stories, make arguments, unpack ideas, share memories and feelings, and convey processes of change. Join this one-week action packed course on Graphic Novels. We will read them, write them and just have fun. This is summer after all!
We are excited to offer an online payment option for our Young Writers Camps. Please note that additional credit card and processing fees (of $20) are included in the total online fee. To avoid these additional fees, you can register using a paper application and submit payment by check through the mail.
Option 1: Register Online with a credit card. Click HERE to pay and register online or click on the title of the camp and it will link you to the registration page.
Option 2: Download the paper registration form:
2020 Young Writers Camp Registration Packet
Email bawp@berkeley.edu if you have any questions or to be placed on the waitlist for any full courses.
