Students writing

Do you have a budding writer who cannot seem to put the pen down? Well, this camp is a perfect fit!

Young Author Camps are an incredible opportunity for young writers across the state of Maine. Dynamic and engaging writing experiences are facilitated by experienced and passionate teachers. Students explore a wide array of genres and develop their skill through playful exploration, guided practice, and even some art to enhance the writing experience. Our Young Author Camps provide students a place to write in a relaxed, comfortable, and creative environment where they can bring their love of writing to life.

Campers will:

  • Explore different genres of writing that may include memoir, poetry, fiction, non-fiction, multi-genre, etc..
  • Develop their writing with the help of experienced teachers/Southern Maine Writing Project teacher-consultants.
  • Celebrate and share in a relaxed, non-competitive summer atmosphere.    
  • Become published authors by having some of their week’s work included in our anthology.

2025 Camps

2025 Young Authors Camps are now open for registration!

All three camps are running during the same week of June 23rd-27th, 2025.

Locations are in Gorham, Westbrook, and Yarmouth

*Check the registration information to see the age range for each camp. They are similar, but not exactly the same.

Monday, June 23rd-Friday June 27th, 2025; 9:00 am-2:00 pm
Current 4th-8th graders, however, exceptions may be requested
This camp is led by Kelly Ouellette-Tukey

Register online with this link: https://forms.gle/QEAbzx3eXQpo6WL39

Mail your check made PAYABLE to UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE for $222 (campers) or $175 (CITs) and mail it to:

Lorrie King, 215 Melissa Drive, Yarmouth ME 04096

Make sure to write the location of the camp and your child’s name on the memo line. *Please postdate the check for May 10, 2025

If you can’t register online, print and fill out the form linked here and mail the form and the check to the same address listed above.

*USM does not cash checks immediately. We are sorry that we do not have electronic payment.

Monday, June 23rd-Friday June 27th, 2025; 9:00 am-2:00 pm
Current 4th-7th graders (rising 5th-8th)
This camp is led by Morgan Glencross

Register online with this link: https://forms.gle/xCpAjRXVL9MBb5L9A

Mail your check made PAYABLE to UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE for $222 and mail it to:

Lorrie King, 215 Melissa Drive, Yarmouth ME 04096

Make sure to write the location of the camp and your child’s name on the memo line. *Please postdate the check for May 10, 2025

If you can’t register online, print and fill out the form linked here and mail the form and the check to the same address listed above.

*USM does not cash checks immediately. We are sorry that we do not have electronic payment.

Monday, June 23rd-Friday June 27th, 2025; 9:00 am-2:00 pm
Current 4th-8th graders (8th graders are CITs), High Schoolers are counselors
This camp is led by Lorrie King and Patricia Valley

Register online with this link: https://forms.gle/oNQUcpCyC197uivZ7

Mail your check made PAYABLE to UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE for $222 (campers) or $175 (CITs) and mail it to:

Lorrie King, 215 Melissa Drive, Yarmouth ME 04096

Make sure to write the location of the camp and your child’s name on the memo line. *Please postdate the check for May 10, 2025

If you can’t register online, print and fill out the form linked here and mail the form and the check to the same address listed above.

*USM does not cash checks immediately. We are sorry that we do not have electronic payment.

For more information, or if you have any questions, please reach out to yac.smwp@gmail.com.


What Our Campers Say


“Teachers are sweet and inspiring.”
“This camp was really fun! I did a lot of writing and I thought deeply about a lot of things.”  
“I think this is one of the top three camps that I have ever been to.”
“Group activities are the best and going outside was inspiring.”
“I loved the socializing and the humor.”
“It was fun and improved my writing!”
“I really liked that the instructors were very enthusiastic about writing and the camp. The feeling was contagious! This camp gave me sooooooo many new ideas for stories.”

What Parents Say

“The variety of activities and level of engagement was what my child liked.”
“Location and price was great! Content and instructors are an obvious draw.”
“My son loved it. He felt safe to be creative and share his work. Atmosphere was supportive and creative.”


Learn more about the Southern Maine Writing Project