Young Writers' Conference
A week-long writing workshop for high school students at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
▌ Editor's read The Young Writers' Conference is a day camp hosted by Southern Illinois University Carbondale, specifically through their Conference Services department. The program is designed for students in grades 3-12, offering workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. The website states that all SIU Carbondale camps and youth programs require background checks for staff, indicating a commitment to safety. The camp operates from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily. While there isn't a specific Google review count or rating for this particular conference, SIU Carbondale generally holds a strong reputation as an educational institution. The camp is not ACA accredited, which is common for university-run academic programs. The program emphasizes developing writing skills and fostering creativity within a university setting.
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University programRun by an academic institution
Who thrives here Ages 14–18
Young Writers' Conference serves high-school campers, which means the program is competing against summer jobs, college visits, internships, and residential overnight options. The case for a day camp at this age is usually a CIT (counselor-in-training) track, deep specialization in academic, or a portfolio item parents and kids both value. Programs that don't articulate one of those three usually lose this age band by 9th grade.
Facts & Credentials
- Program type
- Day camp
- ACA accredited
- Not verified
- Established
- Not listed
- Operator
- University program
- Staff-to-camper ratio
- Not listed
Details
- Category: Academic
- Ages: 14–18
- Hours: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Address: Faner Hall, Humanities Lounge, Second Floor, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
- Phone: 618-536-7751
- Email: [email protected]
- Cost notes: USD, $165 for two-day program
Logistics
- Lunch provided: No
- Transportation: No
- Financial aid: No
- Setting: indoor
Frequently asked about Young Writers' Conference
- What ages does Young Writers' Conference accept?
- Young Writers' Conference is open to children ages 14–18. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
- How much does Young Writers' Conference cost?
- Young Writers' Conference publishes $500/week for the standard session. USD, $165 for two-day program Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
- What are Young Writers' Conference's hours?
- Young Writers' Conference runs 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
- Who runs Young Writers' Conference?
- Young Writers' Conference is operated by a university program. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
- Does Young Writers' Conference provide lunch?
- Young Writers' Conference does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
Planning guides
Editorial checklists to use before you compare Young Writers' Conference with other camps.
- How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
- STEM summer camps guide · Compare projects, staff fit, and age-readiness signals.
- Financial aid and scholarship camps · Compare aid policies, discounts, and application timing.
- Summer camp pricing in 2026 · Benchmark weekly cost before you commit a deposit.
Camps near here
Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Young Writers' Conference.
- April ID Camp · Southern Illinois University, Lew Hartzog Track and Field Complex · Ages 13–21 · $169/week