Summer Camp Session A June 2nd-13th, 2025
Summer Camp Session B June 16th-27th, 2025
What is YAWP? A component of the Central Arizona Writing Project, YAWP (Young Adult Writing Program) is designed to offer young writers a non-evaluative environment in which to explore the power of writing.
What do camps look like? Offering time and inspiration, YAWP sessions support writers in a collaborative atmosphere where they can share works in progress. YAWP sessions engage young writers in crafting a variety of forms based on the theme and focus of the camp. The creative writing camps, for example focus on writing such as poems, autobiographical sketches, heart maps, short stories, arguments, nature/science, craft secrets, and daily writing workshops. Each camper will share a final piece of writing for publication in the camp anthology.
What grade levels do we serve? 2nd-12th.
Who are the writing instructors? All writing instructors are trained Central Arizona Writing Project Teacher Consultants who have completed CAWP’s Invitational Summer Institute or training from the National Writing Project in teaching composition. All K-12 YAWP teachers are certified to teach in the state of Arizona. All YAWP teachers continually implement writing in their personal and professional lives.
Cost: Tuition for each YAWP two-week in person session is $300 plus a $25 book fee for a total of $325. Tuition is due no later than May 23th for Session A and June 6th for Session B. We only accept online payments. There are no refunds.
Are scholarships available? No, scholarships are not available at this time.
When/Where is YAWP?
YAWP will be held from 9:00am -12:00pm, Monday through Friday
- Summer Camp Session A June 2nd-13th, 2025
- Summer Camp Session B June 16th-27th, 2025
Registration Deadline:
- Session A - May 23rd, 2025
- Session B - June 6th, 2025
Contact: YAWP@asu.edu
Student Testimonials
| “Our daughter loved the camp and wanted to continue attending for the remaining weeks of summer break. She wished it was around during scheduled school fall and spring vacations as well!” | Image
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| “I had so much fun and hope I will see you again next year!” |
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| “I had a lot of fun at YAWP this year. I really liked how we got to walk around the ASU campus and Mrs. Nicki always had something new and exciting for us to do each day, which made me look forward to coming back… I am very glad I attended YAWP this year, and I am excited to return next year as well, as long as I get the chance to. I made new friends and it was overall a very fun and eye-opening experience.” |
Camp Offerings: Session A June 2nd-13th, 2025
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Teacher: Mary Ellen Delgado
Welcome to Exploring Stories with Animals and Insects, an immersive experience designed for budding young writers in grades 2nd & 3rd! This session offers a unique blend of creative writing exploration and hands-on animal encounters that will ignite your child’s imagination. Students will embark on a thrilling journey to discover the wonders of the animal kingdom through various field trips around ASU’s campus and getting up close and personal with a variety of fascinating creatures. In addition to animal adventures, students discover a diverse range of writing genres, allowing them to express their thoughts and stories, sketching, poetry, and storytelling. Join us for a week filled with creativity, discovery, and the joy of writing at the Young Adult Writing Program!
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Teacher: Jenny Selayro
Words and images come together in this exciting camp! Get ready to sketch, draw, and write your way to graphic novel mastery! Let your imagination come alive on the page with this hands-on, minds-on summer camp. Students will learn about panel layout, character development, plot structure, and the power of visual storytelling. By the end of this camp, we will be on our way to becoming graphic novel maestros, equipped with the skills and confidence to write and illustrate compelling visual stories. Enroll today and join us on a journey of imagination and discovery.
Teacher: Nicki Mann
Come one, come all, and discover the wonder of zine-making! A Zine is a handmade publication, pamphlet or mini-book you make yourself. In this camp, students will create how-to, all-about-me, and fan-zines along with a zine of their inspiration. If you are entering 6th through 8th grade, and find yourself interested in joining the rich and long history of Zine-making, this is the place for you.
Teacher: Adriana Diaz
Cards We’re Dealt, Stories We Create: Identity & Transformation Through Storytelling
In this workshop, young writers will explore personal storytelling through writing and illustration, using "Mexikid" as a mentor text and Lotería as a creative framework. Through this blend of text and imagery, students will reflect on identity, family, and culture by designing their own Lotería cards and crafting narratives that bring their personal stories to life. By the end of the session, participants will have developed a collection of written and visual pieces that celebrate their unique voices and experiences.
Teacher: Teresa Laydon
Have you ever wondered how words can be used for practical, positive change? Are you eager to find ways that writing can make you feel more connected and part of your local community? In this workshop, we will explore the basics of writing journalistic feature stories and editorial opinion pieces. Maybe there is a long-standing family-owned restaurant you’d like to highlight or a school board issue you have an opinion about. We will explore both forms of writing including how to create interview questions, conduct an interview, craft your piece, and make edits. Throughout the two-week session, we will create a collaborative e-newsletter that shares stories, resources, and opinion pieces that are reflective of your community and experiences.
Camp Offerings: Session B June 16th-27th, 2025
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Teacher: Mary Ellen Delgado
Welcome to Exploring Stories with Animals and Insects, an immersive experience designed for budding young writers in grades 2nd & 3rd! This session offers a unique blend of creative writing exploration and hands-on animal encounters that will ignite your child’s imagination. Students will embark on a thrilling journey to discover the wonders of the animal kingdom through various field trips around ASU’s campus and getting up close and personal with a variety of fascinating creatures. In addition to animal adventures, students discover a diverse range of writing genres, allowing them to express their thoughts and stories, sketching, poetry, and storytelling. Join us for a week filled with creativity, discovery, and the joy of writing at the Young Adult Writing Program!
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Teacher: Jenny Selayro
Words and images come together in this exciting camp! Get ready to sketch, draw, and write your way to graphic novel mastery! Let your imagination come alive on the page with this hands-on, minds-on summer camp. Students will learn about panel layout, character development, plot structure, and the power of visual storytelling. By the end of this camp, we will be on our way to becoming graphic novel maestros, equipped with the skills and confidence to write and illustrate compelling visual stories. Enroll today and join us on a journey of imagination and discovery.
Teacher: Nicki Mann
Come one, come all, and discover the wonder of zine-making! A Zine is a handmade publication, pamphlet or mini-book you make yourself. In this camp, students will create how-to, all-about-me, and fan-zines along with a zine of their inspiration. If you are entering 6th through 8th grade, and find yourself interested in joining the rich and long history of Zine-making, this is the place for you.
Teacher: Adriana Diaz
Cards We’re Dealt, Stories We Create: Identity & Transformation Through Storytelling
In this workshop, young writers will explore personal storytelling through writing and illustration, using "Mexikid" as a mentor text and Lotería as a creative framework. Through this blend of text and imagery, students will reflect on identity, family, and culture by designing their own Lotería cards and crafting narratives that bring their personal stories to life. By the end of the session, participants will have developed a collection of written and visual pieces that celebrate their unique voices and experiences.
Teacher: Teresa Laydon
Looking to create a standout college essay? Look no further: we have the experts to help guide you. This intensive workshop, in partnership with the renowned Central Arizona Writing Project at ASU, equips you with the tools and guidance to craft a captivating personal statement that stands out from the crowd. By the end of this week-long intensive, you'll have more than just a draft – you'll have a polished personal statement that captures your essence and showcases your potential. This is your chance to stand out in the college admissions process and share your story in the most impactful way possible.
FAQs for Parents and Participants
Session A
- May 23rd, 2025
Session B
- June 6th, 2025
If you are registered and NOT paid by the payment deadlines for your session, then your registration will be cancelled.
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 in the YAWP Program.
TBA. In the past, the program will took place in Payne Hall (MAP). Information on the pickup and drop off locations is provided in each camper’s Welcome Packet. More information on amenities within the building is provided in the Welcome Packet.
No, each session is from 9 am to 12 pm. Campers can bring their own drinks and snacks.
While we have provided scholarships for this program in the past, this year there will be scholarships available for the 2025 YAWP Program. More information is forthcoming.
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.
We are happy to make an exception if this student feels comfortable socially and emotionally for the older grade level, and if there is room available in the class. Please email YAWP@asu.edu for more information.
If a session you want is full, please look at other availability at that grade level. You can also email YAWP@asu.edu and we will add you to the waitlist.
General Questions
It depends on the time constraints and the collaboration. We do collaborate with schools and districts to provide after-school programming. Please send your inquiry to yawp@asu.edu and we’ll get back to you.
We would love to offer more writing workshops for youth at school sites and out 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 YAWP@asu.edu with your ideas and/or connections!