Looking for a summer experience that sparks creativity and ignites a lifelong love for writing? Day Eight’s Writing Camp is a place for 6th-9th grade youth to embark on a journey of self-expression and literary exploration. Join us summer 2026 for five week-long camp sessions: June 29-July 2, July 6-10, July 13-17, July 20-24, and July 27-31. Camp will be closed for July 4 observance Friday July 3.
The camp day runs 10am to 4pm, at the Shepherd Park / Juanita Thornton Library, 7420 Georgia Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. Thursday morning of each week the campers will take a field trip off-site, departing from the Library. Late Friday afternoon each week the campers host a reading of their work — open to families and the community!
Thanks to support from Learn24, the Friends of the Shepherd Park Library, and individual donors to Day Eight, our summer 2026 camp is FREE for DC residents. The camp is open to rising 6th – 9th graders, only.
To ensure equitable access, each youth may enroll for 1 or 2 weeks of Writing Camp. Once a camper is fully registered for 2 weeks of Writing Camp, parents may request to be added to the waitlist for additional weeks of camp, and if space is available may be admitted. A maximum of 17 campers are enrolled per week. The camp observes the laws of Kashrut.
Day Eight’s summer 2026 Writing Camp is designed to support youth development through engagement with language. Each day begins with recitation of a short poem followed by consideration of a model poem. The curriculum, designed by camp co-directors Robert Bettmann and Regie Cabico, introduces youth to “classic” and contemporary written work, including poems by Writing Camp guest faculty and writers-in-residence. Poems by Writing Camp participants are collected and published in a book at the end of the summer.
Through engaging writing workshops and art exercises, we aim to help your child unlock their unique voice and discover the joys of language. At Day Eight’s Summer Writing Camp, creativity knows no bounds! Campers are encouraged to experiment with literary techniques, wordplay, and embrace the infinite possibilities within their own words.
To enroll, submit the online registration request form linked below. After completing the form, you will be emailed forms required to complete enrollment. A separate registration request form must be submitted for each sibling in a household.