Youth

Young Writers Institute

Since 1989, WPWP's Young Writers Institute (YWI) has offered young people exciting and engaging environments to explore writing. Young writers from across the Western Pennsylvania region come together and meet to have the opportunity to develop their skills as writers. Our outstanding staff includes certified classroom teachers, esteemed writers, and advanced writing students from regional colleges and universities.  

Specific activities vary from year to year and from one class to another, including a broad range of genres and experiences geared to generate rich writing. This may include poems, autobiographical sketches, short stories, plays, memoirs, guest authors, walking field trips, and much, much more. 

At the end of the Institute, families are invited to celebrate as students read their best work from their own copy of a published anthology. Our Institute is best suited for students who are eager to attend and who want to write for fun.

Our 2025 Young Writers’ Institute sessions will take place on weekdays from June 23 - July 1 from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at the University of Pittsburgh. Registration for the summer of 2025 begins January 6, 2025. YWI will accept 15 registrations per age bracket. Registration closes May 1, 2025.

YWI registration is now closed!

Please contact us with any questions or concerns.

Registration FAQ

What are the registration requirements?
The only requirements for participation are the child's grade level and an interest in writing. Our Institute aims to be inclusive and accessible to all young writers. We will accept registrations for rising 5th-11th graders.

How do I register for the Young Writers Institute and what is the deadline?
Registration for the Young Writers Institute begins January 6, 2025. All registrations must be completed online, and full payment is required at the time of registration to secure a spot in the Institute. Registration closes May 1, 2025. 

Why is the Institute only accepting 15 students per age group?
We limit the number of students to 15 per age group to ensure that each participant receives close attention from our staff. This approach helps us focus on developing each young writer's skills not only in writing but also in social and emotional aspects. It allows us to maintain a high quality of engagement and support throughout the Institute.

What if my child needs to leave early or cannot attend certain days?
Registration covers the entire duration of the Institute, and full payment is required regardless of attendance. We understand that there may be circumstances requiring early departure or absence on certain days; however, these situations should be managed at your discretion, keeping in mind that fees cannot be prorated or refunded for missed days.

How will communication be handled?
The registration marks the beginning of communication about the Institute. Once children are admitted, more detailed information about the schedule, activities, and any necessary forms for clearances will be provided. Adults are encouraged to reach out with any additional questions they may have.

Are sibling discounts available?
Yes, sibling discounts occur automatically when registering more than one child for YWI. For each additional child registered, a discount of $50 will be automatically applied to the total. Up to three additional children can be covered under the sibling discount, resulting in a maximum discount of $150.

Can sibling discounts for YWI be combined with W4C discounts?
 YWI and Writing for College (W4C) share the same discount structure, however they are separate programs. In order for a sibling discount to be applied, siblings must be registered within the same program. 

Are scholarships available for the camp?
If you need a scholarship, simply reach out to us directly, and we will do our best to accommodate your request based on the availability of our limited resources.

YWI FAQ

When and where will the Young Writers Institute take place?
The Young Writers Institute will run weekdays from June 23 to July 1, held Monday through Friday each week. The Institute will be primarily located at the University of Pittsburgh, Posvar Hall, 230 South Bouquet Street, meeting on the fifth floor in the School of Education's area.

Will there be an orientation for the Young Writers Institute?
Yes, and orientation for YWI will be held. More details coming soon! 

What are the Institute hours?
Children can be dropped off as early as 7:30 a.m. The Institute starts promptly at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 12:00 p.m. Pick-up time is between 12:00 p.m. and 12:15 p.m., and all children must be picked up by 12:15 p.m. 

Who will be teaching at the Young Writers Institute?
The instructors at the Young Writers Institute are a diverse group of educators and students deeply engaged in the craft of writing and education. Our teachers include certified teachers who have completed the Western Pennsylvania Writing Project's Summer Institute and now serve as fellows for the organization. Additionally, graduate students from the University of Pittsburgh, who are pursuing degrees in writing and teacher education, will also be part of the teaching staff. This mix of experienced teachers and emerging educators ensures a rich, supportive learning environment for all participants.

Will there be off-site activities?
Yes, in addition to our main location, we may possibly utilize various nearby locations such as the Cathedral of Learning's nationality rooms, Carnegie Museum of Art, Phipps Museum, and Carnegie Public Library. All these sites are within walking distance, and we will notify adults in advance of any off-site activities.

What should my child bring to camp?
Daily lunch will not be provided, unless specifically communicated in advance. Lunchtime is not built into the daily schedule however students may bring snacks and bottled water as needed. Additionally, any necessary health-related materials should be brought daily. Detailed instructions and forms for these requirements will be shared upon registration.

Is there anything else adults should know?
We expect adults to send lunch with their children, and we will provide forms to better understand and support each child's needs in the absence of their adults. We strive to create a supportive and enriching environment for all participants.

A Day at YWI  

What does a typical day look like at the Young Writers Institute?
Details for 2025 coming soon!

2025 Pick Up and Drop Off

Location

Pick Up and Drop Off will occur at the South Bouquet Street entrance to Posvar, located at 230 South Bouquet Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15260. Please note, you may also see 15213 listed as the zip code. Both zip codes are correct and will take you to the same place.  

Drop Off begins at 7:30am and ends at 8am. Pick Up begins at 11:45am and ends at 12pm. Please see the Pick Up section for staggered pick up times.

Posvar is a large building with several entrances. Please be sure you arrive at the Bouquet Street entrance, pictured below.

                       

Group Colors

Each group will be referred to by a color.  Red will be synonymous with the rising 9^th –11^th grade group, Blue for the rising 7^th –8^th grade group, and Green for the rising 5^th –6^th grade group. The colors are an organizational tool and are in no way indicative of a dress code.

 

Drop Off
7:30am - 8am

To drop off your YWI camper, please pull over to the curb on South Bouquet Street outside the entrance to Posvar. A YWI staff member will approach your vehicle and ask for the name of camper who is being dropped off. You will not need to exit your vehicle or park your vehicle.  Your camper will be marked as present and a YWI staff member will escort the camper from your vehicle to their designated group leader. Once your camper exits the vehicle, please move your vehicle to make space for other adults. Please note, the South Bouquet Street entrance to Posvar is for moving vehicles only and does not allow for parking.

The group leaders will be standing outside the Posvar doors at the South Bouquet Street entrance. They will be holding Red, Blue, and Green signs, indicating which age bracket they represent.  The group leaders will escort the campers to the YWI spaces, located on the fourth and fifth floors of Posvar.

You may prefer to park your car elsewhere on campus for Drop Off. If you choose to do this, you must still walk your camper to the South Bouquet entrance and sign them in with a YWI staff member.

 

Pick Up Passes

During Drop Off on Monday, June 23^rd, you will be given a YWI Pick Up Pass. The pass will be a laminated YWI logo that you may keep. Bring the Pick Up Pass to pick up each day. This pass identifies you as a YWI adult. You may take as many YWI Pick Up passes as needed and distribute them to adults who are authorized to pick up your camper. An adult MUST have a Pick Up pass in order to pick up their camper. If a Pick Up Pass is not present, the adult will be asked for other forms of identification, such as phone number or license.

If someone is picking up your camper who does not have a Pick Up Pass and/or is not on your list of authorized pick up adults, you must contact wpwp@pitt.edu with the adult’s name and phone number.  Please allow one day's notice if possible.

Please note, the Pick Up Pass is NOT a parking pass and does not cover the cost of parking. The sole purpose of the pass is identification.

 

Pick Up
11:45am-12pm

Pick Up will occur at the same entrance as Drop Off, 230 South Bouquet Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15260. To ensure a smooth process, we kindly ask that you observe the staggered pick up times below.  

 

Please arrive at 11:45am to pick up a camper from the Green group (5-6).

Please arrive at 11:55am to pick up a camper from the Blue group (7-8).

Please arrive at 12pm to pick up a camper from the Red group (9-11).

 

To pick up your YWI camper, please pull over to the curb on South Bouquet Street. A YWI staff member will approach your vehicle and ask for the name of camper you are picking up. You must show the YWI staff member your YWI Pick Up Pass. You will not need to exit your vehicle. A YWI staff member will escort your camper from the Posvar patio to your vehicle and mark the camper as dismissed.

You may prefer to park your car elsewhere on campus for Pick Up. If you choose to do this, you must walk to the South Bouquet entrance to meet your camper and sign them out with a YWI staff member.

All campers must be dismissed by 12:15pm.

 

Pick Up for Siblings

If you have campers in two different groups, please be prepared to arrive at the youngest camper’s pick up time. For example, if you have a camper in the Green group (11:45am pick up) and a camper in the Red group (12pm pickup), please arrive at 11:45am to pick up both campers.    

 

Late Arrivals

If you arrive to YWI after 8:15am, you will need to park your vehicle and walk your child to the Center for Urban Education, CUE. CUE is located on the fourth floor of Posvar in suite 4303. To find CUE, take the elevators to the fourth floor. Turn left and walk down the hall until you see the escalators. CUE is a glass fronted suite and will be on your right.  You will meet a YWI staff member in CUE who can escort your camper to their group.

Please note, the South Bouquet Street entrance to Posvar is for moving vehicles only and does not allow for parking. If you find yourself running late, there are several metered street parking options available around Posvar.

 

Early Departures

If your camper needs to leave YWI early, please let us know at least one day in advance. A YWI staff member will escort your camper to the Center for Urban Education, located at 4303 Posvar Hall on the fourth floor. A staff member will wait in CUE with your camper until you arrive. The adult will need to park and walk into CUE. Please bring your Pick Up Pass with you to show the staff member.   

 

Walkers and Bus Riders

If your camper will be walking or taking public transportation to camp alone, please email wpwp@pitt.edu. Your email should include what dates and times your camper is permitted to arrive and/or be dismissed without an adult. Please notify YWI staff through email at least one day in advance if possible. Please see the below example:

My camper, (first and last name of camper), will be walking to YWI on June 23^rd, 24^th, and 25^th without an adult. On June 26^th, 27^th, 30^th, and July 1^st, an  adult will drop her off.

An adult will pick her up each day from YWI except for June 30^th. She can be dismissed by herself that day.