University Health Services

• Level: Ages 7-17
• Dates: June 8 - July 31
• Registration Deadline: NA, but courses are already selling out

WEEK 1: 6/22 - 6/26 $500
WEEK 2: 6/29 - 7/2 $400
WEEK 3: 7/6 - 7/10 $500
WEEK 4: 7/13- 7/17 $500
TIME: 8:30-1:00 PM
ALL FOOD PROVIDED

Bay Area Writing Project - contact Tara Kaiser 
Email: bawp@berkeley.edu  

Bay Area Writing Project
Email: bawp@berkeley.edu

Young Writers Camps (Grades 3rd - 8th)
BAWP Young Writers Camps give children who are interested in writing the time and opportunity to explore writing through a range of writing genres. 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.

2026 Live Online Camps
Creative Writing 101: Begin Your Writing Journey
June 8 – 18, 2026 (2 weeks – No Camp June 19)
9:00 am – 12:00 pm PST
Grades 4th – 8th

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
June 8 – 18, 2026 (2 Weeks – No Class on June 19)
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Open to rising 6th – 9th Graders

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
June 22 – July 3, 2026 (2 Weeks)
9:00 am – 12:00 pm PST
Grades 4th – 8th

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
July 6 – 17, 2026 (2 weeks)
9:00 am – 12:00 pm PST
Grades 4th – 8th

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
July 20 – 31, 2026 (2 weeks)
9:00 am – 12:00 pm PST
Grades 4th – 8th

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
June 8 – 12, 2026 (1 Week)
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Grades 3rd – 8th

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

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.

YWC Plot Twist!: Intro to Creative Writing (Morning)
June 15 – 26, 2026 (2 Weeks – No program on Friday 6/19/25)
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Grades 3rd – 8th

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
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

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)
June 15 – 26, 2026 (2 Weeks – No program on Friday 6/19/25)
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Grades 3rd – 8th

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
June 15 – 26, 2026 (2 Weeks – No program on Friday 6/19/25)
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Grades 3rd – 8th

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)
June 29 – July 3, 2026 (1 Week)
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Grades 3rd – 8th

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
June 29 – July 3, 2026 (1 Week)
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Grades 3rd – 8th

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.

Write Smart: Berkeley Writing Academy (Morning)
July 13 – 24, 2026 (2 weeks)
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Grades 3rd – 8th

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)
July 13 – 24, 2026 (2 weeks)
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Grades 3rd – 8th

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
July 13 – 24, 2026 (2 weeks)
9:00 am – 12:00 pm

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
July 20 – 31, 2026 (2 weeks)
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Grades 3rd – 8th

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.

High School Writing Courses (Grades 9th - 12th)
There is something for everyone, from a 2-week in-person genre mash-up course to a 3-week course on writing scary stories. Your teens 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.

Scenes by Teens
June 8 – 12, 2026 (1 Week)
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
9th – 12th Graders

Have an idea for a movie or a play? Don’t have an idea, but want a chance to find one? This course focuses on the building blocks of dramatic writing — character, plot, dialogue, and conflict. Through writing exercises and feedback sessions, you’ll craft and develop a series of scenes and get started on your own scripts. At the end of the week-long workshop, we’ll have an informal reading of your work. No previous dramatic writing experience necessary.

John Levine teaches writing and public speaking at UC Berkeley. He has also taught writing workshops for high school students in California and China. An award-winning playwright, John has had plays produced throughout the U.S., as well as in Canada, Mexico, India, Australia, the Philippines, the United Arab Emirates, and the U.K.

Talking Back: Writing Against Silence
June 8 – 19, 2026 (2 Weeks – No Class on June 19)
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
9th – 12th Graders

A generative creative writing course that explores the optimistic usefulness of writing in confronting “these times”. With an emphasis on poetry writing and sharing aloud, participants will practice telling the truth in a way that strengthens authentic voice and builds confidence. In the face of both mundane and extraordinary turmoil, this course will turn to poets like Ross Gay, Franny Choi, and June Jordan for inspiration in the practice of turning every day experiences into positive creative visions for the future. We will have a group reading on the final session of the course where we will share a piece written during the class and celebrate!

Introduction to Creative Writing
June 8 – 26, 2026 (3 Weeks – No Class on June 19)
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm PST
9th – 12th Grades

Do you have stories to tell? Characters in your head? A notebook full of scenes? This summer, join other creative writers in reading short stories and creative nonfiction that breaks the rules, and discover how to write your own story. In this course you’ll have the opportunity to hack the techniques published writers use to tell their stories, like building unforgettable characters, unexpected scenes, and beautiful detail, and practice using these techniques yourself. We’ll spend time reading, writing, and workshopping together.

INKSwarm (Rising 9th Graders Only)
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

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.

Exploring the Art of the Short Story
June 22 – July 3, 2026 (2 Weeks)
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
9th – 12th Graders

Unlock your creativity through the art of the short story. In this engaging summer course, writers will read and explore short stories from a range of genres, examining how authors craft compelling plots, develop meaningful themes, and experiment with style and voice. Through guided discussion, students will analyze how writers communicate ideas and emotions, then use these techniques as inspiration for their own original work. As we study elements such as irony, mood and tone, vivid detail, and imagery, young writers will develop a portfolio of short stories designed to engage and captivate readers. Students will also collaborate, share feedback, and grow as thoughtful readers and confident writers. Join us for a creative, supportive experience where your unique vision and voice take center stage.

From Draft to Chapbook: Generating and Revising Your Creative Writing
June 22 – July 3, 2026 (2 Weeks)
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
9th – 12th Graders

Open to creative writers in all genres and all levels, the first week of this workshop will focus on generating new work. Prompts, creative writing samples, and craft strategies will be provided for students to explore daily. The second week will focus on revision strategies, conversations about sequencing, and working toward the creation of a chapbook. Students will have opportunities to share their work and receive feedback from the instructor throughout the course.

Finding Your Voice
June 29 – July 10, 2026 (2 Weeks – No Class Friday, July 3rd)
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
9th – 12th Graders

If you know you have something to say, but aren’t sure how to say it, this class is for you. In a world increasingly shaped by algorithms and AI, your most valuable asset is your unique voice and perspective. Together we will learn to tap into your personal experiences, quirks, and passions to create writing that’s authentically you. Learn to trust your instincts, sharpen your style, and nurture a method of self-expression that no bot could ever replicate.

Multimedia Storytelling
June 29 – July 17, 2026 (3 Weeks – No Class Friday, July 3rd)
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
9th – 12th Graders

This three-week workshop explores the exciting intersection of creative writing and digital media. Writers will draft a diverse portfolio of new pieces, including: nonfiction scripts, creative writing (fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction) storyboards ready to adapt into video essays, mini docs, or micro cinema. Please note: During this class, students are offered an optional 20-minute break. Writers may leave the classroom to visit stores or restaurants within a two-block radius, or they may remain in the classroom, where supervision is always available.

Introduction to Journalism
June 29 – July 3, 2026 (1 Week)
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
9th – 12th Grades Only

Journalism is changing. No longer confined to a newsroom, journalists report from cafes, street corners, and sports venues and all over the world. Hone your skills in this class so that you are ready to report on the go. In this course we will explore the fundamentals of writing a strong article for the public eye. This includes developing reporting skills by learning to write breaking and hard news stories, personality profiles, and opinion pieces, such as columns, editorials and reviews.

Advanced Creative Writing
July 6 – 10, 2026 (1 Week)
10:00 am – 12:30 pm
9th – 12th Graders

This is an intermediate level course and we recommend that participants come with some experience in creative writing.

In this 1-week creative writing class, you will write to a variety of prompts, learn techniques that can enliven your writing, share your work in small groups and receive specific, helpful feedback. At the end of the course, you will have at least one polished piece, and the opportunity to participate in a reading of your work. Additionally, you will learn about publishing and workshop opportunities for high school students. Recently at the Bread Loaf Writers Conference, the writer Maurice Carlos Ruffin told us that writing should be enjoyable. If it is not, he said, change something. Here is to building an enjoyable and sustainable writing practice!

Science Fiction Writing: Chart Your Course
July 6 – 17, 2026 (2 Weeks)
9:30 am – 12:30 pm
9th – 12th Graders

Science fiction is pretty amazing. You’ve got space ships, computers embedded in your brain, life on meteorites, and maybe even aliens. Climate fiction, with its flooded cities and fallen governments, can be cool in an apocalyptic, ‘let’s try to avoid that’ kind of way. Science Fiction is often the escape hatch a reader and writer are looking for. But what if these genres also reflect our hopes and fears? What if they actually help us better understand race, migration, climate change and politics? From Afro-futurism to zombies, we’ll have a chance to write about what matters to us, and what matters to our future.

College Essay Writing (July Section 01)
July 13 – 17, 2026 (1 Week)
9:30 am – 12:30 pm
11th and 12th graders only

Good storytelling is a way to make your writing more engaging. In the course, you will first hone this craft by writing a profile article. We will begin by workshopping questions that elicit vivid storytelling and thoughtful reflection from your subject. Beginning with an anecdotal lead, the article you write will be focused on developing your subject as a character. With the second writing piece, the tables will be turned. You will become the subject of the article. Conveying who you are as a person is what college admission officers are looking for in an essay. This course will help you succeed in doing that. (Current UC/Common App prompts will be used.)

Poetry as Non-Fiction
July 13 – 24, 2026 (2 Weeks)
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
9th – 12th Graders

Do you believe non-fiction is only for long form prose writing? Come and discover how poetry can be used in memoir, to report on current events, to explain history or scientific phenomena, and more! Together, we will study at least 3 non-fiction genres as well as various poetic techniques to craft a unique collection of non-fiction poems on a chosen topic.

Intermediate Creative Writing
July 13 – 31, 2026 (3 Weeks)
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm PST
9th – 12th Grades

Intermediate Creative Writing is for teen writers ready to cultivate a small library of poetry, prose, fiction and memoir in three weeks of summer. This intensive course seeks to hone students’ existing understanding of topic, plot, theme, characterization, genre, suspense, and tone into greater mastery upon the published page through writing mentorship. In addition to a variety of editing and revision techniques, students will learn how to find their footing in various speeds of pacing, provide psychological insight into characters’ lives, bring life into dull prose through intimate details, prune unwieldy sentences, sacrifice staid ideas, and fight all things dear with nuance. By the end of this camp, students will publish at least one polished anthology piece and seed their future writing careers with inspiration and new skills.

Words in Rhythm: Hip Hop, Poetry & Spoken Word
July 20 – 31, 2026 (2 Weeks)
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
9th – 12th Graders

In this course, writers will explore rhyme as a powerful tool across hip hop, poetry, and spoken word. We’ll break down how rhythm, sound, and word choice shape meaning and style, then experiment with writing our own verses and poems. Students will try out different rhyme techniques, play with flow, and learn how to make their writing sound intentional and alive. Whether you love hip hop, performance poetry, or just like playing with language, this class is a space to find your voice and refine your craft.

College Essay Writing (July Section 02)
July 27 – 31, 2026 (1 Week)
9:30 am – 12:30 pm
11th and 12th graders only

Good storytelling is a way to make your writing more engaging. In the course, you will first hone this craft by writing a profile article. We will begin by workshopping questions that elicit vivid storytelling and thoughtful reflection from your subject. Beginning with an anecdotal lead, the article you write will be focused on developing your subject as a character. With the second writing piece, the tables will be turned. You will become the subject of the article. Conveying who you are as a person is what college admission officers are looking for in an essay. This course will help you succeed in doing that. (Current UC/Common App prompts will be used.)

The Art of Argument: A process of paying attention
July 27 – July 31, 2026 (1 Week)
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
9th – 12th Graders

Being able to create an effective argument is a nuanced practice. It requires knowledge, empathy, and acuity. We’ll practice and hone our use of these skills to effectively create a claim and address counterclaims, both written and spoken.

Write Like a Pro: Building Your Academic Voice
August 3 – 7, 2026 (1 Week)
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
9th – 12th Graders

Ever feel like you have great ideas but don’t know how to put them into “teacher-speak”? This course is designed to help you bridge the gap between your thoughts and the page. We’re moving past basic essay formulas to help you develop a voice that sounds confident, professional, and uniquely yours. Leave the fluff behind and gain the skills to write essays that get noticed.