By Georgia Jackson, College of Arts and Sciences
Thirty high schoolers visited USF’s Tampa campus this summer for an intensive week-long writing course, during which they explored various forms of creative writing — such as fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction — and learned to bring their ideas to life.
“I loved how much we actually did hands-on writing,” one participant said. “Some camps only lecture and leave the writing for home, but this was so much fun. Everyone was super kind, and the teachers were really fun and nice and really strengthened my passion for writing.”
Other campers echoed these sentiments, calling the experience “engaging,” “fun” and “a nice challenge.”
Hosted by USF alumna Andrea Rinard, the camp is thoughtfully designed to help students discover their voice, build their confidence and craft stories that leave a lasting impact.
“I love working with young people who are interested in writing,” said Rinard, who has taught high school English for twenty-eight years and earned a master’s degree in creative writing from the USF Department of English. “It's amazing to see what they produce, especially when our team encourages them to try new things.”
Over the course of the week-long camp, Rinard and her team of instructors — USF alumna Alye Prentice and Alex Rivera, an MFA candidate — engaged the students in hands-on activities and discussions designed to spark creativity and refine their writing skills.
“We teach strategies for revision so our writers have the opportunity to take their work further and deeper than they might have on their own,” said Rinard, who published a collection of short fiction with the independent literary press Eastover Press in 2023. “So often, students see writing as a product, usually completed for a grade or other assessment. Showing the campers how to play with their creativity, use writing as a form of self-expression and discovery, and explore different genres and modalities is incredibly rewarding.”
For several of the students who attended the camp this summer, it was not their first time.
The campers took at trip to the USF Contemporary Art Museum to find inspiration for their writing.
“My co-instructors and I work hard to plan new activities so that kids who come back for multiple years get fresh opportunities to explore different types of writing and hone their skills,” Rinard said.
New, this summer, was a trip to the USF Contemporary Art Museum, where Rinard invited the students to engage in ekphrasis — writing inspired by art.
“They absolutely loved it and produced some amazing writing,” Rinard said.
By the end of the week, the campers had produced a zine showcasing some of the work they had created. They also shared their work during a reading on the last day.
“Seeing the kids proudly share what they've written and celebrate each other's work is just the best,” Rinard said.
When camp isn’t in session, Rinard continues to hear from former campers when they reach out to share their writing progress with her or to tell her when they’ve entered — and won — a writing competition. Some have even gone on to launch creative writing clubs at their schools.
“On an interpersonal level, it's so gratifying to see the kids form friendships and learn the benefits of building and working to maintain an artistic community,” Rinard said. “I love seeing them exchange emails, create Discord groups, and discuss how to stay in touch after camp to support one another and keep writing. That, to me, is incredibly valuable.”
Rocky’s Residents
About a third of the students who attended the USF Creative Writing Summer Camp participated in the residential program Rocky's Residents, an add-on to select high school day camps that includes accommodations for five days and four nights, all meals and exciting evening events designed to help campers connect, experience campus life and get a taste of the real college experience.
“It was so fun to see those kids bond and develop friendships not only with one another but also with students who were in other camps that week,” Rinard said. “Several kids noted that it gave them valuable insight into the logistics of living in student housing."
USF Youth Experiences Summer Camps
USF offers a number of summer camps for students in elementary, middle and high school. From cybersecurity and robotics to archaeology and the culinary arts, there are engaging options for students of all ages.
“Many schools don't offer creative writing due to budgetary constraints, so this camp gives teens a chance to learn foundational skills and concepts they can use to keep writing poetry and prose long after the camp is over,” Rinard said. “It also strengthens general writing skills that can transfer over into more academic writing modes.”
Registration for the USF Creative Writing Summer Camp opens on Feb. 1 each year and fills quickly. Learn more about this camp and other youth experiences at USF.edu/YXP.