During the summer, Spells hosts a free 6-week writing camp for ages 7–14. The program runs weekdays during July and early August from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Each week focuses on a different writing theme, such as graphic novels, songwriting, spy mysteries, cookbook writing, comedy writing, adventure stories, or screenwriting. But our campers don’t just sit around writing all the time—we find inspiration for our stories through interactive games, group brainstorming sessions, and outdoor play.

Students may sign up for individual weeks or for the entire 6-week session.

Wild Wild West
Spells Summer Writing Camp—Week 1

Monday, July 9–Friday, July 13
9 a.m.– 12:30 p.m.
at Spells Writing Lab
Taught by Spells Writing Lab, with guest instructors
For ages 7–14

Howdy, partner! Time travel with Spells to the days of the Old West, when cowboys ate food from the chuckwagon after a long trail ride and gunslingers fought with bounty hunters at high noon. Learn a bit about the American frontier and study some of the great films and stories about that time to figure out what makes westerns so special. Then create your own cowboy characters, bringing them to life through poetry, songs, stories, and short films. Dust off your cowboy boots and spurs, and join us for this week of western fun!

Registration is free, but requires a refundable deposit of $25 via credit card, PayPal, check, or cash. The registration will not be valid until the deposit has been received and the registration is confirmed by Spells Writing Lab.

Road Trip
The Spells Travel Guide to Philly
Spells Summer Writing Camp—Week 2

Monday, July 16–Friday, July 20
9 a.m.– 5 p.m. **Note: longer hours than other weeks**
at Spells Writing Lab
Taught by Spells Writing Lab, with guest instructors Johnica Reed and Caroline Tiger
For ages 7–14

Are you a jet-setter? Do you have strong opinions about the best places to have fun in Philly? Join Spells for this special full-day camp week as we break into small groups for whirlwind sightseeing tours of major museums and landmarks, exploring our city through the eyes of a visiting tourist. In the afternoons, we’ll work with professional travel writers and Spells lab assistants to assess our experiences and write recommendations for both out-of-towners and locals enjoying a stay-cation. Help us write the ultimate kids’ travel guide to Philadelphia!

Campers should bring a bag lunch each day during this camp week. Snacks and beverages will be provided by Spells.

Registration is free, but requires a refundable deposit of $25 via credit card, PayPal, check, or cash. The registration will not be valid until the deposit has been received and the registration is confirmed by Spells Writing Lab.

Get a Clue!
Spells Summer Writing Camp—Week 3

Monday, July 23–Friday, July 27
9 a.m.– 12:30 p.m.
at Spells Writing Lab
Taught by Spells Writing Lab, with guest instructors
For ages 7–14

Calling all Spells detectives! Spells Writing Lab has become a crime scene—can you help us solve this whodunit? Our junior detectives will also experiment with forensic science and other investigative techniques as we narrow down the suspects. While we search for evidence at Spells, we’ll also learn about the elements of a good mystery story, from creating a strong sleuth and secondary characters to setting up the central puzzle and revealing clues. How will the story end? Will we solve the mystery in time, or will the guilty party escape detection?

Registration is free, but requires a refundable deposit of $25 via credit card, PayPal, check, or cash. The registration will not be valid until the deposit has been received and the registration is confirmed by Spells Writing Lab.

Writing Webisodes
Spells Summer Writing Camp—Week 4

Monday, July 30–Friday, August 3
9 a.m.– 12:30 p.m.
at Spells Writing Lab
Taught by Spells Writing Lab, with guest instructor Lee Porter
For ages 7–14

Dr. Spells is not only our mysterious founder, he’s also a big-time Hollywood producer—and he wants Spells students to create a TV show for the Internet! With help from a local web series writer and producer, we’ll get a crash course in writing webisodes, those short, serialized TV episodes that live on the Internet, and how they’re different from writing for regular TV or films. Then we’ll create our own web series, from writing scripts to premiering online, in record time—just one week!

Registration is free, but requires a refundable deposit of $25 via credit card, PayPal, check, or cash. The registration will not be valid until the deposit has been received and the registration is confirmed by Spells Writing Lab.

Shiver Me Timbers!
Dead Men Draw No Tales
Spells Summer Writing Camp—Week 5

Monday, August 6–Friday, August 10
9 a.m.– 12:30 p.m.
at Spells Writing Lab
Taught by Spells Writing Lab, with guest instructors
For ages 7–14

Ahoy, mateys! Be ye a landlubber that dreams of sailing under the Jolly Roger? Join the sea dogs of Spells as we plunder pieces of eight, write sea shanties, and get a crash course in pirates—from bilge rats to hornswagglers to scurvy. Then share yer swashbuckling tales with pictures and words as ye create graphic novels about yer seafaring adventures. But avast, me hearties! Act smartly, lest ye be forced to walk the plank.

Registration is free, but requires a refundable deposit of $25 via credit card, PayPal, check, or cash. The registration will not be valid until the deposit has been received and the registration is confirmed by Spells Writing Lab.

The Play’s the Thing
Fairy Tale Mashups
Spells Summer Writing Camp—Week 6

Monday, August 13–Friday, August 17
9 a.m.– 12:30 p.m.
at Spells Writing Lab
Taught by Spells Writing Lab, with guest instructors
For ages 7–14

Dr. Spells is planning to premiere a new play about fractured fairy tales this August on the outdoor stage in Ile Ife Park, in front of Spells Writing Lab. But there’s a problem—the play hasn’t been written yet! Join Spells as we learn the basics of playwriting, then work together to write the script, create the backdrops and props, and perform this new theatrical work, all in one week! These aren’t your average fairy tales, and with Dr. Spells around, who knows what kinds of other creatures might make their way into our story?

Registration is free, but requires a refundable deposit of $25 via credit card, PayPal, check, or cash. The registration will not be valid until the deposit has been received and the registration is confirmed by Spells Writing Lab.