2026
SummerWrite is our flagship youth program that has been operating continuously for 40 years. Our half-day and full-day weeklong literary-themed summer camps are led by highly skilled teaching artists, who are experts in their artistic field, and also experts in youth education.
Our 2026 line-up of camps includes 28 offerings in a wide range of topics: graphic novels, fiction, fantasy, mystery, filmmaking, playwriting and screenwriting, poetry, puppetry, music, fairy tales, Dungeons & Dragons, bookmaking, and much more! Some of our camps even offer the opportunity to delve right into a beloved fictional world such as Percy Jackson’s Magic Pen, Academy for Young Magicals (formerly Hogwarts Academy), and Shiz Summer Session: A Wicked Camp.
Needs-based scholarships are available for all our camps. The link to apply is on each individual camp page.
SummerWrite 2026 features five weeks of creative camps for young writers, artists, and storytellers. Each week offers a variety of themed programs led by experienced teaching artists.
Browse the upcoming camps below and follow the links for more details and registration. For assistance, email Clara O’Connor.
Graphic Novels / The World in Pictures and Words (8–13)
Young Authors Club (8–13)
Produce 90 Second Newbery Film @ SJF (9–12)
Percy Jackson’s Magic Pen (9–12)
Dragons Dice & Roleplaying (TEEN)
Graphic Novels / The World in Pictures and Words (8–13)
Young Authors Club (8–13)
Produce 90 Second Newbery Film @ SJF (9–12)
Percy Jackson’s Magic Pen (9–12)
Dragons Dice & Roleplaying (TEEN)
Fractured Fairy Tales (8–11)
Playwrights & Puppeteers (8–13)
Outdoor Writers (9–16)
Arts Alive: Exploring the Neighborhood (10–13)
Open & Fold: The Art of Bookmaking (10–13)
Sound Playground (12–14)
Academy for Young Magicals (8–14)
Writing Movies at Irondequoit (12–17)
It Could Happen Here (8–13)
Speak Up: Puppets for Change (8–13)
POW, SCRIBBLE, ZAP: Graphic Novels from Start to Finish (9–12)
Write a Short Play (10–13)
Mystery 101 (10–13)
Shiz Summer Session: A Wicked Camp (12–14)
Story Writing Boot Camp (TEEN)
Screenwriting 101 (TEEN)
Program Information
SummerWrite in the Branches camps are tuition-free camps held at Rochester library branches; families facing economic challenges are especially encourage to register for these. Please use the links below to see details about each camp and to register.
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Visit our Things to Know and Teaching Artists pages for more information.
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For assistance, email Clara O’Connor.
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Please note: You may only register one camper for a single camp using the registration form. Please complete a separate registration for each individual camper, and each individual camp.
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Financial Assistance
Writers & Books is committed to making our programs available to all members of the community. We offer partial and full scholarships based on need.
Click here for our secure, confidential online scholarship portal.
