Meadow Brook Writing Camps
Each summer, Meadow Brook Hall opens the estate to aspiring student writers of all ages for the Meadow Brook Writing Camps (MBWC), hosted by the Meadow Brook Writing Project.
Participants will discover secret staircases and amazing playhouses while being challenged and inspired at creative writing workshops at the National Historic Landmark, located in Rochester on the campus of Oakland University.
MEADOW BROOK WRITING CAMPS
Let your young writer be inspired at a Meadow Brook Writing Camp – available in-person or online.
- Collaborative teaching teams consist of K-12 writing teachers and Oakland University faculty from the Department of Writing and Rhetoric.
- All are alumni of Meadow Brook Writing Project’s Summer Institute, an intensive writer’s workshop for master teachers involved in the National Writing Project (NWP).
- All youth camp teachers are involved in continuing education, including NWP conferences, publications and teacher- training workshops. Teachers are assisted by trained Meadow Brook Hall docents.
Each day during MBWC, young writers will tour the historic house museum and world-class gardens to nurture, polish and ultimately publish their original works. Published works include both written and digital presentation.
WRITING CAMPS 2023
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.
MEADOW BROOK WRITING CAMPS 2023
Camp A: $325
Half Day (9-1 p.m.), July 10-14
Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8
Camp B: $325
Half Day (9-1 p.m.), July 17-21
Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8
Camp C Full Day: $450
Full Day (9-4 p.m.), July 24-28
Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12
Camp D: $325
Half Day (9-1 p.m.), July 31-Aug. 4
Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12
Camp E: $325
Half Day (9-1 p.m.), Aug. 7-11
Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12
Due to ongoing pandemic conditions, summer camp delivery formats are subject to change. Registered attendees will be notified immediately of any changes to Oakland University’s summer camps.
VIRTUAL WRITING CAMPS 2023
Grades 3–5
July 24-29 | 10 a.m.–noon
Cost: $150
- 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
- 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.
Click here for more Meadow Brook Writing Camp details.
Note: There is a four-week cancellation policy for all camps. You must cancel four weeks prior to the first day of camp in order to receive a full refund.
One scholarship is available each summer for siblings of children battling life-threatening illnesses: The Elsa and Ingrid Scholarship for Young Authors and Artists.
To learn more or to apply for the scholarship, contact MBWC at or (248) 370-4151 or MBWC Camp Director Rebecca Rivard at .
Oakland University’s highest priority in providing exemplary academic, athletic and social programs for youth is protecting the health, safety and welfare of all participants. See oakland.edu/youth for detailed information.
Interested in more creative youth programs at Meadow Brook Hall? New this year, we are also offering Meadow Brook Art Camps!
