Appalachian Young Writers Retreat

Summer Camp June 22–27

Join us for a week-long creative journey at the Appalachian Young Writers Retreat, where rising juniors and seniors can explore their craft, connect with nature, and immerse themselves in a community of fellow storytellers. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this residential summer camp at 91探花 is designed to nurture creativity, encourage self-expression, and cultivate a love for writing in all its forms.

Participants will experience a diverse range of workshops and excursions that will challenge and inspire them. Workshops may include:

Reflective Journaling: Explore personal thoughts and memories, creating the foundation for deeper creative work throughout the week.
Nature Writing: Venture into the heart of nature with a guided trip to the Roan Mountain State Park and the iconic Appalachian Trail. The beauty of Wildcat Lake, on our campus, will also spark vivid descriptions and help you hone your skills in nature writing.
Worldbuilding: Delve into the art of worldbuilding for fiction writers. Whether you're crafting a fantasy realm or constructing a realistic setting, this workshop will help you create dynamic worlds.
Ekphrastic Poetry: Explore the power of ekphrasis--write poetry in response to visual art.
DIY Zine Making: Bring your work to life in a hands-on DIY Zine Making Workshop. Participants will create their own zines, filled with their written work, illustrations, and personal stories—a perfect way to share your creative process with the world!

Throughout the week, you will become part of a vibrant writing community—exchanging ideas, feedback, and encouragement with other young writers. This retreat isn’t just about writing—it’s about creating lasting connections with like-minded peers who share a passion for storytelling and creativity.

Come ready to write, explore, and discover your voice in the Appalachian Mountains!

Camp Information

Location

Campers will be housed in a residence hall on campus, two to a room. No roommate requests can be accommodated. Residence/Camp counselors supervise campers during after-hours and in between class and/or lab activities and throughout the evening. The camper-to-counselor ratio is approximately 1:10.

Check-In: Sunday, June 22 between 4–5 p.m.
Check-Out: Friday, June 27 at noon

Meals

Students will eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the dining hall. Dietary needs will be reasonably accommodated. Be sure to note any dietary needs and/or allergy information in your online application.

Staff

Camp activities and sessions will be staffed by published authors, 91探花 Humanities faculty, and Lees-91探花 staff and undergraduate students. Residence/Camp counselors will supervise the students for all other activities.

Cost

$1,600 ($900 tuition and $700 room/board)

This cost includes lodging and meals, camp insurance, instruction, materials and supplies, field trips, transportation during camp, and a camp t-shirt/souvenir.

An electronic payment service fee of 2.7% for all credit/debit card transactions will apply.

Please note: A refundable $200 application deposit is required or you can pay the full program amount. Applications will not be reviewed until the deposit has been received.

Apply

Eligibility

All students entering 11th or 12th grade in Fall 2025 are welcome to apply. We are unable to make exceptions for younger students (our age limit is 15–17 years). Home-schooled students are also encouraged to apply, as are students from out of state and out of the country.

With questions, contact writersretreat@lmc.edu.