Free summer programs at 826michigan are a great way to keep students engaged with creative thought and encourage discovery and growth all summer long!
Limited spaces are available. Sign up online to indicate your interest by filling out our interest form. You’ll receive follow-up instructions from a program staffer within one week.
Summer 2023 Programs Details
- Summer 2023 Programs run in July and August.
- This summer, we’ll be offering writing workshops in Ann Arbor, Detroit, and Ypsilanti. Any student can attend a workshop in any city if they meet the age requirement.
- Note: In-person Writing for Wee-bots is a drop-in writing program. This means that once a student is registered, they can attend sessions whenever they are able.
Summer 2023 Programs How-to
- Read through the Summer 2023 Workshops below. Note: They are grouped together by city. Any student can attend a workshop in any city.
- Determine which programs you’d like to sign up for.
- Fill out the SUMMER PROGRAMS INTEREST FORM at the bottom of the page.
- Wait for an 826michigan program staffer to contact you with next steps.
Summer 2023 Workshops!
Ann Arbor
115 E. Liberty St.
Detroit
Detroit Public Library branches
Ypsilanti
Ypsilanti District Library branches
** Workshops in Ann Arbor **
In-person Writing for Wee-bots!
Ages 5-8+
Saturdays, July 8 through August 12, from 10-11am
115 East Liberty Street (inside 826michigan’s writing lab)
Each week, the youngest 826michigan writers meet to play and explore what writing can do. With stories that spark creativity and games that inspire students to write, the Wee-bots work in small groups—and with trusted volunteers—to bring imagination alive for these young writers.
Out of This Ordinary World: New Heroes Needed!
Ages 7-12
Tuesday, July 11, 4:30-6:00pm
115 East Liberty Street (inside 826michigan’s writing lab)
In this workshop, students will create their own superhero stories, combining inspiration from the superhero genre with their own unique ideas to create a brand-new, unique character. What if our new superhero was a flying superhero with ice and slime powers who saved the citizens from the dangers of melted ice cream? Students will be encouraged to think outside of the box to craft characters that fit the superhero genre but have powers that no one has ever seen before. After creating their characters, students will create a vision for one “episode” for their superhero, following the hero’s journey story template to plan out an adventure for their new hero. Registration required at 826michigan.org.
Spine-chilling Legends of the Weird and Wonderful
Ages 7-12
Monday, July 24, 4:30-6:00pm
115 East Liberty Street (inside 826michigan’s writing lab)
How can writers create a scary story that makes their readers feel excited, but not terrified? What can campfire stories teach us about creating scary stories for young people? In this workshop, students will explore scary stories in an age-appropriate way, creating new tales that excite readers with suspense, magical details, and unusual adventures. Students will listen to campfire stories, studying what details writers use (and don’t use) to create scary stories for a youth audience. Students will write their own spooky stories and share them around a pretend “campfire.” Registration required at 826michigan.org.
Follow Us: A Guide to Becoming a YouTube Sensation
Ages 9-14+
Tuesday, August 8, 4:30-6:00pm
115 East Liberty Street (inside 826michigan’s writing lab)
In this workshop on making a how-to video, students will practice writing for YouTube. They will draft scripts and storyboards for a how-to video, focusing on a subject they know and love (serious or silly). Using examples from content creators, they will have a chance to take their writing home and make their own video so they can share their expertise with the whole world. Registration required at 826michigan.org.
** Workshops in Detroit **
In-person Writing for Wee-bots!
Ages: 5-8+
Fridays, July 7 through August 11, from 11am-noon
Redford Branch of Detroit Public Library
21200 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48219
Each week, the youngest 826michigan writers meet to play and explore what writing can do. With stories that spark creativity and games that inspire students to write, the Wee-bots work in small groups—and with trusted volunteers—to bring imagination alive for these young writers.
In-person Writing for Wee-bots!
Ages: 5-8+
Fridays, July 7 through August 11, from 2:30-3:30pm
Main Branch (Children’s Library) of Detroit Public Library
5201 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202
Each week, the youngest 826michigan writers meet to play and explore what writing can do. With stories that spark creativity and games that inspire students to write, the Wee-bots work in small groups—and with trusted volunteers—to bring imagination alive for these young writers.
** Workshops in Ypsilanti **
Critical Hit: Fantasy Stories by Chance and Design
Ages 10-18
Friday, July 28, 4-6pm*
Ypsilanti District Library, Michigan Ave. branch
229 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti, MI 48197
The exciting world of TableTop Role Playing Games meets the world of writing! At this program geared toward tweens and teens, participating writers will use the game techniques like those found in Dungeons and Dragons to create settings, characters, and plot to craft short fantasy stories. Registration requested at 826michigan.org, although drop-in spots are available!
*YDL will stay open (with pizza!) from 6-8pm on July 28 for students to play Dungeons and Dragons with their new characters!*
Beyond the Boundaries of Space/Time: Imagining the Future(s)
Ages 10+
Monday, July 31, 2:30-3:30pm
Ypsilanti District Library, Superior branch
1900 N. Harris Rd., Superior Charter Twp, MI 48198
In this workshop, students will explore the connections between science, technology, and writing. Participants will imagine new worlds through hands-on STEM activities and use writing to create a speculative story about the future. Registration requested at 826michigan.org, although drop-in spots are available!
Family V.I.P.S: Stories of Us, Together
Ages 5-10
Tuesday, August 1, 2:30-3:30pm
Ypsilanti District Library, Whittaker Rd. branch
5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti, MI 48197
In conjunction with Ypsilanti District Library’s Reading Buddies program, we will be holding a family writing workshop where young writers and their parents/guardians can create a story together! During this program, families will create their own picture book that they will take home and be able to read together as a family. Please register for this program at ypsilibrary.org, although drop-in spots are available!
SUMMER PROGRAM INTEREST FORM
Fill out this form, and one of our program staffers will get back to you in the next week with more information and next steps.