Young Adult Writing Program (YAWP) | Central Arizona Writing Project

Instructor: Mary Ellen Delgado
Mentor Text: "Grand Canyon" by Jason Chin

Slither, sneak, and storytell! In this two-week summer writing adventure, young writers will dive into the wild world of desert animals, especially snakes, through poetry, comics, art, and hands-on activities. Students will explore ASU’s reptile exhibit, meet a Southwest author, take part in a writing marathon, and create their own imaginative stories inspired by real desert creatures. What’s it like to be a snake in the desert? Writers will find out as they experiment with storytelling from an animal’s point of view.

Perfect for curious kids with big imaginations, this workshop helps students build confidence, creativity, and a love of writing, all while discovering the wonders of the desert along the way.

Instructor: Jenny Selayro
Mentor Text: "Global" by Eoin Colfer

Draw it. Write it. Tell a story that matters! In this fun, hands-on two-week summer workshop on the ASU campus, students will dive into the exciting world of comic writing and creation. Using the graphic novel "Global" as inspiration, students will learn how comics bring stories about our planet to life. Through interactive activities and creative challenges, they’ll build key skills like developing characters, writing dialogue, and designing panels that combine words and images in powerful ways. Students will explore the ASU campus, meet guest authors, and experience the energy of a real university while making new friends.

By the end, each student will create an original comic they’ll be proud to share while gaining confidence, creativity, and a love of storytelling along the way.

Instructor: Nicki Mann
Mentor Text: "Photographic: The Life of Graciela Iturbide" by Isabel Quintero and Zeke Peña

They say a picture is worth a thousand words—in this two-week summer workshop, students will learn how to tell those thousand words with purpose. Set on ASU’s Tempe campus, this hands-on program turns everyday spaces into opportunities for discovery. Students will explore campus like photojournalists—capturing moments, details, and stories through the camera lens.

Using "Photographic" as a mentor text, students will study how powerful images and carefully chosen words work together to inform, move, and inspire.

Students will engage with the ASU community, experience a university in action, and build skills in observation, storytelling, and creative expression. Each student will create a small portfolio of photojournalistic work that showcases both their images and their writing.

Instructor: Rocio Rivas
Mentor Text: "Mexikid" by Pedro Martin

Young writers explore personal storytelling through writing and illustration in this vibrant, hands-on workshop. Inspired by "Mexikid" and the traditional game of Lotería, students discover how stories of family, identity, and culture come to life through words and images.

Students will design original Lotería cards based on meaningful people, memories, and experiences, then craft personal narratives and poetry that brings each card to life—blending descriptive writing with creative visuals.

Beyond the classroom, students will visit the ASU Art Museum, explore campus, and work with a visiting writer to experience a world-class university in action. By the end, each student will take home a personalized set of Lotería cards and illustrated stories, building writing confidence, creativity, and a strong sense of voice along the way.

Instructor: Teresa Layden
Mentor Text: "How I Resist: Activism and Hope for a New Generation" by Maureen Johnson

In this dynamic two-week workshop, students will explore how powerful ideas and determination can grow into meaningful writing across genres. Guided by the "How I Resist" essay collection, participants will reflect on their values and identify an issue they are passionate about.

Students will learn how to research a topic of their choice and craft a compelling, real-world proposal for positive change or opportunity (e.g., scholarship essay) in their lives. Along the way, they will build skills in argument, research, and audience awareness. In the second half of the workshop, students will transform their ideas for a new audience by creating an essay, picture book, or short story inspired by their action research. This multi-genre approach encourages both critical thinking and creative expression. By the end, students will have a writing portfolio that showcases their voice, their ideas, and their ability to write with purpose.

Instructor: Mary Ellen Delgado
Mentor Text: "Volcanoes" by Nell Cross Beckerman

Boom! Rumble! POP! This YAWP session is for writers in grades 2 and 3 who are ready to let their ideas bubble up and burst into exciting stories. Our session will include writing mini-lessons inspired by the explosive world of volcanoes.

Young writers will imagine their own volcanic adventures, build strong sentences, and explore how to turn big ideas into creative stories. Students will also practice asking for help with writing and sharing their work with others.

Each student will receive a copy of "Volcanoes" by Nell Cross Beckerman as a mentor text to explore how authors use powerful language and vivid illustrations to bring nonfiction to life. One of the best parts? Students will even get to create their own volcano models and go on mini “expeditions” around campus to spark their storytelling!

Instructor: Jenny Selayro
Mentor Text: "The Wild Robot" by Peter Brown

Beep-buzz-whirr! Do you compute? This YAWP session invites writers in grades 4 and 5 to design original robot characters and craft dynamic, imaginative stories inspired by "The Wild Robot."

Students will explore ASU’s campus through daily mini-expeditions, drawing inspiration from both the natural and engineered world, including opportunities to see real robots in action. Back in the classroom, writers will transform their ideas into vivid narratives, poems, and illustrations filled with detail, adventure, and heart. Writers will collaborate, refine their work, and share their stories with others in a celebration reading. A special visit from a published author offers additional inspiration and insight into the writing process. Each student will receive a copy of "The Wild Robot" by Peter Brown as a mentor text for building compelling characters and meaningful stories.

Instructor: Nicki Mann
Mentor Text: "When you Reach Me" by Rebecca Stead

What if the ASU campus is actually a hidden time machine waiting to be activated? This YAWP session invites writers in grades 6 and 7 to become Chrono-Journalists exploring the past, present, and future through their writing. Students will uncover hidden stories and create a “Time Traveler’s Archive” filled with original work, from graphic novel scenes and character sketches to time-travel stories, poetry, and mysteries.

Writers will gather ideas during short campus expeditions, take part in collaborative writing challenges, and participate in a writing marathon. A visiting author will join the session to inspire young writers. Each student will leave with a portfolio of creative work that captures their journey across time. Are you ready to step through the portal?

Instructor: Rocio Rivas
Mentor Text: "Take Back the Block" by Chrystal D. Giles

In this workshop, students will explore how storytelling can encourage collective action through podcast writing. Inspired by "Take Back the Block" by Chrystal D. Giles, students will examine how young adults can stand up to injustices in their communities.

They will be guided to choose a topic that matters to them and in turn craft a compelling podcast script through mini-lessons on structuring effective episodes. By the end, students will be able to “take back the mic” and share podcast stories that matter!

Instructor: Teresa Layden
Mentor Text: "Hope Nation" by Angie Thomas, Jason Reynolds, Nicola Yoon and Marie Lu, Edited by Rose Brock

What makes a story unforgettable, and how can you tell your own with clarity, originality, and voice? This session invites students in grades 10–12 to craft powerful personal essays that stand out in college and scholarship applications while also pushing beyond them into rich, creative work.

Writers will develop and refine a compelling college essay through close attention to language, structure, and detail, receiving individualized feedback throughout the process. At the same time, students will experiment with advanced forms, including braided essays, lyrical pieces, and poetry, to deepen their voice and expand their range as writers. Students may also create a polished writing portfolio, including a professional resume and optional personal website to showcase their work. Through intensive workshops, mentorship, and a community of young writers, participants will leave with writing that is not only application-ready, but artful, distinctive, and truly their own.

• Session A: May 18, 2026
• Session B: June 1, 2026

Registrations will be cancelled if not paid in full by the payment deadline.

All YAWP Instructors are certified teachers in the greater Phoenix Area and/or have gone through National Writing Project Training. They also must have their Fingerprint Clearance Card through the Arizona Department of Public Safety prior to teaching for YAWP.

This information is forthcoming as we are in the process of scheduling rooms on the ASU Tempe campus. We will have room assignments finalized by the second week of April. Additionally, pickup and drop off locations will be provided in each camper’s Welcome Packet distributed before our sessions begin.

We will not be providing lunches since camp will run from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm each day. Campers can bring their own drinks and snacks.

We are unable to provide scholarships for YAWP at this time.
 

We do our best to provide the most cost-effective rates that we can while also providing quality materials and instruction from qualified teachers. However, we do provide discounts for current ASU faculty and staff. We also provide discounts for registration in multiple sessions, or the registration of multiple siblings. Please reach out to [email protected] for more information.

We are happy to make an exception if a student feels socially and emotionally comfortable to participate in a higher grade level session, and if there is room available in the class. Please email [email protected] for more information.

If a session is full, you are encouraged to look at other availability at the respective grade level. You can also email [email protected]  and we will add you to the waitlist.

It depends on our resources, time constraints, and the type of collaboration. We have partnered with schools and districts to provide after-school programming in the past. Please send your inquiry to [email protected] and we’ll get back to you.

We would love to offer more youth writing workshops at local school sites and in the community. If a school site wants to host our workshops, we may contract with the school to make this happen. We can provide the instruction and set it up in ways that best fit the school context and student ages, etc. We welcome your ideas and connections to schools. Please email [email protected] with your ideas and/or connections!