Meadow Brook Writing Project
O'Dowd Hall, Room 147 and 147A
586 Pioneer Drive
Rochester,
MI
48309-4482
(location map)
Youth Writing Camps
Summer 2023 camp registration is OPEN
We are excited to be offering multiple family member discounts and discounts for OU employees and faculty. The discounts will be applied at registration.
Questions? Email the camp director at rvornberger@oakland.edu.
Due to ongoing pandemic conditions, summer camp delivery formats are subject to change. Registered attendees will be notified immediately of any changes to OU's summer camps.
Grades K-2
Emerging authors will tour the mansion and gardens with professional instructors and docents from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., and workshop with fellow writers in their age group. Students will be guided using shared reading, read-alouds, shared writing, narrative writing, poetry and literacy stations. Presentations of one polished work will be conducted at the close of the last day of that week's camp.
Grades 3-5
Developing authors will tour the mansion and gardens with professional instructors and docents from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., and workshop with fellow writers in their age group. Different genres of prose and poetry will be explored using mentor texts of fiction, fantasy, folklore, mystery and biographical origins. One day of camp will be spent at Oakland University rendering one of their works into a digital movie that will be uploaded to YouTube. Presentations of one polished work will be conducted at the close of the last day of that week's camp.
Grades 6-8
Maturing authors will tour the mansion and gardens with professional instructors and docents from 9 a.m.until 1 p.m., and workshop with fellow writers in their age group. Students will be engaged in poetry and prose in such genres as art journaling, fantasy, dystopian, historical, personal narrative, and magical realism. One day of camp will be spent at Oakland University rendering one of their works into a digital movie that will be uploaded to YouTube. Presentations of one polished work will be conducted at the close of the last day of that week's camp.
Grades 9-12
Young authors will tour the mansion and gardens with professional instructors and docents from 9 a.m.until 1 p.m., and workshop with fellow writers in their age group. Advanced writing opportunities will include challenging poetry and prose in genres such art journaling, fantasy, dystopian, historical, personal narrative, and magical realism. One day of camp will be spent at Oakland University rendering one of their works into a digital movie that will be uploaded to YouTube. Presentations of one polished work will be conducted at the close of the last day of that week's camp.
Register here for ANY available camp
Camp A - July 10-14
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Cost: $325
K-2, 3-5, 6-8
Camp B - July 17-21
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Cost: $325
K-2, 3-5, 6-8
Camp C Full Day Camp - July 24-28
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Cost $450
K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Camp D - July 31-August 4
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Cost: $325
K-2, 3-, 6-8, 9-12
Camp E - August 7-11
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Cost: $325
3-5, 6-8, 9-12
In order to keep our virtual classrooms small and accessible, registration numbers are limited in each class. When classes fill, registration will close for that grade level, so sign up today to secure your spot!
Grades 3–5
Register for virtual writing camp grades 3-5
July 24-29 (M–F), 10 a.m.–noon
Cost: $150
register for the Grades 3-5 virtual camp
- M/W/F will involve genre writing with the supervision of award winning teachers.
- T/Th will involve flexible online check in to allow for individual and small group counseling feedback with the same teachers
- Campers will receive registration confirmation and camp information about logging into our class via the email address collected.
Grades 6–8 ** and Grades 9–12
July 24-28, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Cost: $220
register for the Grades 6–8 virtual camp click here to register for grade 6-8 VIRTUAL
register for the Grades 9–12 virtual camp
Register for grade 9-12 virtual
- A journey into the creative mind of our writers will begin every morning with a group meeting discussing genres curated for each day and continuing with workshopping portions of completed works.
- Recorded lectures will be available for reference and for those that check in late to the group.
- Optional assignments will be given at the close of each day for the campers to showcase their writing during following classes.
- M/W: Students will also be able to choose from different writing prompts and lessons each day and will meet virtually with a group of their peers and award winning teachers. Informal lunch breaks will be included each day.
- T/Th: Group writing assignments will be explored under the guidance of our teachers and one on one conferencing sessions will be scheduled between the teachers and each student tailored for their individual growth.
- F: In addition to the writing prompts and lessons this day, each camper, if desired, can present their completed work which will be recorded for publishing on our private Youtube channel.
- Is there before care or after care? No there is not available before care or after care. Parents often team up with other attending camper families and handle drop off and pick up of campers on alternate days.
- Will my child be able to eat during camp time? Yes! You will be packing a lunch and water for your camper.
- What do I do if I believe my child is writing far above or below their assigned grade level? Contact Camp Director, Rebecca Vornberger at rvornberger@oakland.edu to discuss available options.
- Are there any scholarships available for your camps? Yes there is one scholarship currently available for siblings of children with terminal illness. Many school systems sponsor registration for students in their school district so you should contact the principal in your school district.
- Can my child be paired up in a group with their friend? We generally try to place those in the same grade in the same group. If you have campers attending in different grade levels and you feel that they would flourish together, then you should contact the Camp Director, Rebecca Vornberger, to work on which grade would suit the group best.
- What are you doing regarding COVID protection and screening? An in depth COVID response system, building on our already stringent sanitation processes, can be found on this website.