Summer Camp 2026
This year’s camps
June 15-19, 2026
For kids in rising grades 6th-10th
In this Creative Writing Summer Camp, campers will enjoy daily writing prompts, workshops, book/text discussions, reading time, and free write. We will take a deep dive into writing fundamentals like character development, setting, and point of view and explore genres including fiction, memoir, and poetry. The group will also spend time outside in the neighborhood and at local parks (as weather permits), working on our writing while using nature and new settings for inspiration. This camp will focus specifically on the art of short stories/short fiction.
This camp includes a Q&A session with a local author, whose work we will have read during our time together.
Sample Schedule
9am: Prompted writing (w/example and discussion)
10am: Workshop new writing
10:45am: Neighborhood walk
11:30am: Lunch
12pm: Reading time
12:45pm: Book Discussion
1:15pm Meditation/Games/Free Write
2pm: Workshop new writing/from home writing (snack time)
3:00 Dismissal
August 3-7, 2026
For rising grades 5-8
In this Playwriting Summer Camp, students will work together to write an original story, which they will then turn into a play. The group will begin by sharing story visions and learn about writing and theater basics like plot, setting, pacing, character development, and dialogue. Students will engage in daily improv games and acting exercises, while creating characters and learning what makes a reader or audience member connect to a story. The group will also spend time outside in the neighborhood and at local parks (as weather permits), working on our writing while using nature and new settings for inspiration.
A director will join the group for the second half of the week.
There will be an informal performance on the final day. Details to come. (The show will be taped.)
Sample Schedule
9am: Improv exercises in the theater
10am: Writing time
10:45am: Neighborhood walk
11:30am: Lunch
12pm: Reading/Discussion
1pm: Rehearsal
2pm Notes/Additional writing (snack time)
3:00 Dismissal
August 10-14, 2026
For rising grades 5-8
This week is at capacity. Please email us to add your name to the waitlist in case of any changes!
In this Creative Writing Summer Camp, campers will enjoy daily writing prompts, workshops, book/text discussions, reading time, free write, games, and crafts like cover art creation and graphic novel illustrations. We will dive deeper into writing basics like character development, setting, and point of view and explore genres including fiction, memoir, and poetry. The group will also spend time outside in the neighborhood and at local parks (as weather permits), working on our writing while using nature and new settings for inspiration.
This camp includes a Q&A session with a mid-grade/YA Scholastic author, whose work we will have read during our time together.
Sample Schedule
9am: Prompted writing (w/example and discussion)
10am: Workshop new writing
10:45am: Neighborhood walk
11:30am: Lunch
12pm: Reading time
12:45pm: Book Discussion
1:15pm Meditation/Games/Free Write
2pm: Workshop new writing/from home writing (snack time)
3:00 Dismissal
Camps are limited to 14 kids and will likely fill up quickly!
As soon as a camp reaches capacity we’ll set up a waitlist.
If the waitlist grows large enough, we will open up an additional week of camp.
Payment plans are available. Please reach out for more information.
The Location
Bramble Arts Loft in the Andersonville
The Write Room’s 2026 summer camps will be held at Bramble Arts Loft in the Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago. All camps will be using both the conference room space and “the Berry” theater. All camps will also include daily neighborhood walks around the neighborhood and into local parks.
Please note: The Conference Room is not ADA Accessible and is up one flight of stairs. Please reach out if this presents a challenge for your student.
Bramble Arts Loft
5545 North Clark Street, 2nd Floor
Chicago, Il 60640
General Camp Info
Camp drop-off is at 9am.
Pick-up is at 3pm.
Please bring your student up to the 2nd floor on the first day of camp for check-in.
Additional camp information will be emailed out in March, emergency contact and medical forms, including liability and photo waivers, “What to Bring”, and further drop-off and pick-up policies and information, including self-dismissal paperwork.
Additional Info
Small class size
All camps/classes max out at 14 participants. This is to ensure the students feel connected enough to their peers in the room that they can be vulnerable when sharing their work and also to guarantee safety during outings. Due to the small class size, camps will likely fill up quickly; if your student is interested in joining The Write Room for camp this summer, we highly recommend that you register your child as soon as possible.
Waitlist
Because class sizes are small, we will create a waitlist as soon as a camp reaches capacity. Once on the waitlist, you will be notified if a space opens up and we can make room for your student. If the waitlist grows large enough, we will open up an additional week of camp.
Age Range
If your child is out of the age range for one of our camps, but they are still interested in our program, please reach out to the school directly. No two students are alike, and occasionally the school will make exceptions for younger students who show considerable passion and focus, have previous creative writing experience, or a strong grasp of story/writing concepts, etc. Also, if there is enough interest from an older or younger group of students, an additional camp may be opened.
Other camp notes
All students will be given a tote bag and notebook (and a copy of the novel we’re reading, if applicable) on the first day of camp. Students will be responsible for bringing their notebooks and reading materials back and forth daily to camp. Notebooks and writing utensils will be provided, but if your student has a special notebook or pen they like working with, they are welcome to bring those. (Students who prefer writing on a laptop should reach out to the school about this in advance.)
Lunch
Students will need to bring their own tree-nut free lunch and snack each day.
Medication
The Write Room is not able to administer medication. All medication must be taken before or after camps. If on-site medical intervention is needed, an authorized pick-up person must come to administer the medication, or we need to have an action plan signed by the child’s doctor specifying that they can self-administer medication before camp begins.
Policies
Camp Cancellations
All cancellations will be subject to a $100 administrative fee. No refunds can be provided less than one month before a camp start date.
Camp Transfers
All camp transfers will be subject to a $20 fee. If transferring less than two weeks before the camp start date, the fee is $50.
Behavior Policy
The Write Room promotes positive, inclusive behavior and reserves the right to remove campers for unsafe actions, including physical aggression, discrimination, threats, or substance possession. We ask that all students familiarize themselves with our Artist’s Pledge.
