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Description of Program
2026 Virtual Camps
2026 In-Person Camps
Registration Information
Basic Requirement for Participation

Description of Program

This summer we will be offering both in-person camps and online virtual courses. Both of our programs give children who are interested in writing the time and opportunity to explore writing through a range of genres of writing. Each of our programs this summer draw upon the unique skills of our Bay Area Writing Project Teacher Consultants (classroom teachers from around the Bay Area!). Kids will be able to explore their interests, discover their strengths and take writing risks that they might not be able to in a traditional classroom setting.

“I’m glad I came because I made new friends and I had to get all the hidden ideas out of my brain on to paper.”

Participants will experience writing instruction with trained writing teachers, writing time, flexibility in what types of writing they want to pursue, guided group and peer response, and daily opportunities to share writing. 

Our teachers strive to nurture kids’ growth into independent writers. Instruction includes craft lessons, such as –how to incorporate imagery into one’s writing, how to write clearly, how to create believable characters — as well as method lessons — how to get started, the ins and outs of drafting, how to get a lot out of your peer editors. 

“My daughter had a fabulous time last year and described the experience as being in heaven! It really brought out the best in her as a writer and she made many friends.”

In addition to our regular programs we offer our writers the opportunity to sign up for a remote 1-on-1 revision session with a teacher, join the family write night where we can show off our new writing skills to family and friends, and submit a piece to our end of season Youth Takeover Digital Zine. Stay tuned for all these exciting options during the summer!

Please email bawp@berkeley.edu if you would like to be placed on a waitlist for any of our full courses.

2026 Virtual Camps

Creative Writing 101: Begin Your Writing Journey
Register for this camp
Remote Camp
June 8 – 18, 2026 (2 weeks – No Camp June 19)
9:00 am – 12:00 pm PST
Grades 4th – 8th
– Super Early Bird (Register by Jan 31st): $425
– Early Bird (Register by March 1st): $465
– Standard Price (Register after March 1st): $495

Ready to start your writing journey? In Creative Writing 101, young writers will explore stories, poems, and personal writing through fun prompts, games, and mini-lessons. Campers will experiment with characters, settings, and voice while building confidence and discovering what makes their writing unique. Whether you’re brand new to creative writing or already love filling notebooks, this camp is a place to try new ideas, take creative risks, and have fun with words.

AI with Purpose: Understanding Ethical and Responsible Use
Register for this course
June 8 – 18, 2026 (2 Weeks – No Class on June 19)
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Open to rising 6th – 9th Graders
Remote Course
– Super Early Bird (Register by Jan 31st): $425
– Early Bird (Register by March 1st): $465
– Standard Price (Registrations after March 1st): $495

In this workshop, learners will move beyond simply “using” AI to becoming intentional, ethical digital citizens. This course uses the framework of About, For, and With AI to transform generative tools into powerful collaborators for the writing process. Students will engage in “Learning Quests” to::
Collaborate with Care: Use Gemini as a brainstorming partner
Investigate with Intentionality: “Become Digital Detectives” by auditing AI-generated content for bias
Create with Curiosity: Explore the ethics of recommendation algorithms with opportunities for design

By the end of the week, learners won’t just know how to prompt an AI; they will know how to lead it, critique it, and use it to amplify their own stories with integrity.

Mechele Newell currently teaches Math and Computer Science to 6-8th graders at Golden West Middle School, Travis Unified School District, Fairfield, CA. Mechele enjoys tackling controversial topics of interest to learners of all ages. When school is not in session, Mechele enjoys sports, music, the performing arts, reading, writing, and spending time with family and friends. Mechele became a BAWP teacher consultant in 2022 and looks forward to teaching within the YWC this summer!

Creative Writing Adventure: Science Fiction and Fantasy
Register for this camp
Remote Camp
June 22 – July 3, 2026 (2 Weeks)
9:00 am – 12:00 pm PST
Grades 4th – 8th
– Super Early Bird (Register by Jan 31st): $450
– Early Bird (Register by March 1st): $495
– Standard Price (Register after March 1st): $545

Blast off into new worlds and magical realms in Creative Writing Adventure: Science Fiction and Fantasy! Campers will invent characters, build imaginative settings, and create stories filled with futuristic technology, mythical creatures, and epic quests. Through fun writing activities and mini-lessons, young writers will explore world-building, plot twists, and powerful storytelling. Whether you dream of outer space adventures or enchanted lands, this camp is your chance to let your imagination run wild and turn big ideas into unforgettable stories.

Creative Writing to Inform: Journals, Journalists, and Zines
Register for this camp
Remote Camp
July 6 – 17, 2026 (2 weeks)
9:00 am – 12:00 pm PST
Grades 4th – 8th
– Super Early Bird (Register by Jan 31st): $450
– Early Bird (Register by March 1st): $495
– Standard Price (Register after March 1st): $545

Got something to say? In Creative Writing to Inform: Journals, Journalists, and Zines, campers become writers, reporters, and creators all at once. Students will explore how writers use facts, interviews, and research to tell real stories through personal journals, journalistic writing, and DIY zines. Through hands-on activities and mini-lessons, campers will learn how to ask good questions, organize information, and design writing that informs and engages readers. By the end of camp, writers will have pieces they’re proud of—and new ways to use their voice to share what matters to them.

Writing Academy: Academic Refresher
Register for this camp
Remote Camp
July 20 – 31, 2026 (2 weeks)
9:00 am – 12:00 pm PST
Grades 4th – 8th
– Super Early Bird (Register by Jan 31st): $450
– Early Bird (Register by March 1st): $495
– Standard Price (Register after March 1st): $545

Writing Academy: Academic Refresher is a focused, skills-boosting camp for writers who want to feel sharper and more prepared for school. Campers will unpack how academic writing actually works—how to turn ideas into clear paragraphs, support claims with evidence, and revise writing so it says what they mean. Instead of worksheets, students learn through short challenges, real examples, and guided practice. By the end of the camp, writers leave with stronger tools, clearer thinking, and a renewed sense of confidence they can carry into the classroom.

2026 In-Person Camps

YWC Berkeley Story Lab: Action & Adventure Writing
Register for this camp
PRO TIP: For a full day experience, pair this camp with our WriteXRide afternoon WheelKids partnership
In-Person Camp at UC Berkeley at 2121 Berkeley Way
June 8 – 12, 2026 (1 Week)
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Grades 3rd – 8th
– Super Early Bird (Register by Jan 31st): $375
– Early Bird (Register by March 1st): $395
– Standard Price (Register after March 1st): $425

Ever wonder how authors make stories feel like summer blockbusters? Welcome to the Story Lab! This session is all about the “Genre of Excitement.” We’ll break down the mechanics of the Action/Adventure genre—focusing on cliffhangers, pacing, and the “hero’s journey.” Whether it’s a daring rescue or a journey into the unknown, writers will learn the skills to keep their readers’ hearts racing.

YWC WriteXRide with WheelKids – Week 01
Register for this camp
NOTE: This camp is only available as an add-on for campers in the morning YWC Berkeley Story Lab: Action & Adventure Writing camp
In-Person Camp at UC Berkeley at 2121 Berkeley Way
June 8 – 12, 2026 (1 Week)
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Grades 3rd – 8th
$395.00

Wheel Kids will challenge and inspire your child with unique bike rides and activities in Berkeley. Riders are exposed to a variety of bicycle-based activities – daily bike rides, riding skills instruction, bike maintenance, on- and off-street safety skills, share-the-road etiquette, wayfinding, and lots of having fun and messing around on their bikes.

Riders must provide their own bikes and helmet and must be wheel kids level 4+ https://wheelkids.com/faq/rider-skill-categories to join

YWC Plot Twist!: Intro to Creative Writing (Morning)
Register for this camp
PRO TIP: For a full day experience, pair this camp with our afternoon YWC Otherworlds camp
In-Person Camp at UC Berkeley at 2121 Berkeley Way
June 15 – 26, 2026 (2 Weeks – No program on Friday 6/19/25)
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Grades 3rd – 8th
– Super Early Bird (Register by Jan 31st): $625
– Early Bird (Register by March 1st): $675
– Standard Price (Registrations after March 1st): $725

Welcome to Plot Twist, where writers turn ‘What if?’ into ‘What’s next?’ In this two-week camp we will dream up vivid characters and build immersive worlds through games and prompts. From beginners to prolific young authors, every camper will discover their unique voice while exploring new genres. Our mission is simple: every writer leaves camp with a small collection of original pieces and the confidence to keep the story going.

INKSwarm
Register for this course
PRO TIP: For a full day experience, pair this camp with our afternoon YWC Otherworlds camp
June 15 – 26, 2026 (2 Weeks – No program on Friday 6/19/25)
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Open to rising 6th – 9th Grades
In-Person Camp at UC Berkeley at 2121 Berkeley Way
– Super Early Bird (Register by Jan 31st): $625
– Early Bird (Register by March 1st): $675
– Standard Price (Registrations after March 1st): $725

The goal of this workshop is to help young people develop their artistic identities as writers, and to provide a lot of quirky, experimental, playful writing activities in a variety of genres, including visual arts such as collage, blackout poetry, and mysterious inkblots. Flash fiction, poetry, memoir, and other types of creative writing will be dabbled in. Writers will leave with a toolbox of ways to live an artistic life, including journaling, creative habits, and an understanding of the writing process.

YWC Otherworlds: Science Fiction & Fantasy Writing (Afternoon)
Register for this camp
PRO TIP: For a full day experience, pair this camp with our morning YWC Plot Twist! or InkSwarm camps
In-Person Camp at UC Berkeley at 2121 Berkeley Way
June 15 – 26, 2026 (2 Weeks – No program on Friday 6/19/25)
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
(Lunch coverage available for campers registered for both AM and PM camp)
Grades 3rd – 8th
– Super Early Bird (Register by Jan 31st): $625
– Early Bird (Register by March 1st): $675
– Standard Price (Registrations after March 1st): $725

Travel beyond everyday life and into worlds filled with magic, futuristic tech, strange creatures, and bold adventures. Create sci-fi and fantasy stories by inventing new planets, designing heroes and villains, and dreaming up rules for how their worlds work. Through fun prompts, games, and plenty of writing time, students will build imagination, confidence, and storytelling skills. By the end of camp, every writer will have original stories from worlds that only they could create.

Beyond the Page: Intro to Creative Writing
Register for this camp
In-Person Camp at California High School Campus in San Ramon, CA
June 15 – 26, 2026 (2 Weeks – No program on Friday 6/19/25)
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Grades 3rd – 8th
– Super Early Bird (Register by Jan 31st): $625
– Early Bird (Register by March 1st): $675
– Standard Price (Register after March 1st): $725

Step into new worlds, meet unforgettable characters, and bring your stories to life in Beyond the Page! In this camp, young writers will explore their imagination through fun prompts and hands-on writing time. Campers will craft short stories, poems, and even fantastical worlds, learning how to build plots, create memorable characters, and express ideas in their own unique voice. Whether they’re just discovering writing or already filling notebooks at home, students will leave with original stories they’re proud of and the confidence to keep creating long after camp ends.

YWC Berkeley Story Lab: Drama, Rivalries, & Emotional Rollercoasters (Morning)
Register for this camp
PRO TIP: For a full day experience, pair this camp with our WriteXRide afternoon WheelKids partnership
In-Person Camp at UC Berkeley at 2121 Berkeley Way
June 29 – July 3, 2026 (1 Week)
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Grades 3rd – 8th
– Super Early Bird (Register by Jan 31st): $375
– Early Bird (Register by March 1st): $395
– Standard Price (Registrations after March 1st): $425

Get ready to dive into the drama! In this 1-week camp, young writers will explore the highs, lows, and everything in between as they create stories full of rivalries, conflicts, and big emotions. Campers will learn to build tension, craft dynamic characters, and turn emotional moments into unforgettable scenes. By the end of camp, students will have an original piece packed with drama, suspense, and heart.

YWC WriteXRide with WheelKids – Week 02
Register for this camp
NOTE: This camp is only available as an add-on for campers in the morning YWC Berkeley Story Lab: Drama, Rivalries, & Emotional Rollercoasters camp
In-Person Camp at UC Berkeley at 2121 Berkeley Way
June 29 – July 3, 2026 (1 Week)
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Grades 3rd – 8th
$395

Wheel Kids will challenge and inspire your child with unique bike rides and activities in Berkeley. Riders are exposed to a variety of bicycle-based activities – daily bike rides, riding skills instruction, bike maintenance, on- and off-street safety skills, share-the-road etiquette, wayfinding, and lots of having fun and messing around on their bikes.

Riders must provide their own bikes and helmet and must be wheel kids level 4+ https://wheelkids.com/faq/rider-skill-categories to join

Write Smart: Berkeley Writing Academy (Morning)
Register for this camp
PRO TIP: For a full day experience, pair this camp with our afternoon Wild Words camp.
In-Person Camp at UC Berkeley at 2121 Berkeley Way
July 13 – 24, 2026 (2 weeks)
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Grades 3rd – 8th
– Super Early Bird (Register by Jan 31st): $675
– Early Bird (Register by March 1st): $745
– Standard Price (Register after March 1st): $795

Think of this camp as a writing toolkit for school writing – and beyond! Writers will explore clever ways to organize ideas, turn thoughts into strong sentences, and tackle tricky assignments with confidence. Through creative exercises, interactive challenges, and hands-on projects, students will discover that academic writing can be fun, clear, and totally their own.

Wild Words & Wandering Pens: Berkeley Field Notes (Afternoon)
Register for this camp
PRO TIP: For a full day experience, pair this camp with our morning Write Smart camp.
In-Person Camp at UC Berkeley at 2121 Berkeley Way
July 13 – 24, 2026 (2 weeks)
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
(Lunch coverage available for campers registered for both AM and PM camp)
Grades 3rd – 8th
– Super Early Bird (Register by Jan 31st): $675
– Early Bird (Register by March 1st): $745
– Standard Price (Registrations after March 1st): $795

This summer, don’t just sit at a desk – head out into the field with us to capture pieces of stories, sounds, and scenes at UC Berkeley. Every day is a new experiment in the craft of writing. We might spend time documenting the “secret life” of a campus landmark through investigative reporting, or sit in the redwood groves testing out how sensory poetry can capture the feeling of the forest. We’ll explore how different genres, like sci-fi, nature journals, and flash fiction, can help us map out the world around us.

Cal Bears Young Writers Institute
Register for this camp
In-Person Camp at California High School Campus in San Ramon, CA
July 13 – 24, 2026 (2 weeks)
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Grades 3rd – 8th
– Super Early Bird (Register by Jan 31st): $675
– Early Bird (Register by March 1st): $745
– Standard Price (Register after March 1st): $795

At the Cal Bears Young Writers Institute, we treat writing as a craft that rewards patience and practice. In a supportive, workshop-style environment, writers will move through the stages of drafting and refinement to produce writing they are proud of. By focusing on the tools that create clear sentences and the logic of a sound argument, we help young writers develop skills they can carry into any classroom. It is a space for students to slow down, think deeply, and understand they have a unique voice.

Academic Writing Camp: Build Your Writing Toolkit
Register for this camp
In Person Camp at St. Ignatius College Preparatory Campus in San Francisco, CA
July 20 – 31, 2026 (2 weeks)
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Grades 3rd – 8th
– Super Early Bird (Register by Jan 31st): $675
– Early Bird (Register by March 1st): $745
– Standard Price (Register after March 1st): $795

Join this fun 2-week camp as we explore creative writing as a means to help us improve as academic writers and thinkers. Experience in different genres can provide self assurance to writers as they develop skills they can use in the classroom and beyond. Academic writing is always a story: a good informational essay engages our senses, a strong argumentative piece develops a narrative, and an effective book report immerses us in an experience. Join us in San Francisco as we awaken the author in all of us and head confidently into the new school year.

Registration Information

Registration coming soon! Using the link below, submit camper information and then select the course or courses you would like your writer to join. Sibling discounts (-$50 for each additional child after the first registration) will be automatically deducted before checking out.

RemoteCourses Registration Link

In-PersonCamps Registration Link

If you encounter any issues with the registration process please try using a different browser (Chrome is preferred). If that doesn’t help, email us at bawp@berkeley.edu.

Please email bawp@berkeley.edu if you are interested in being added to a waitlist for any of the full camps