SummerWrite: Things To Know

Registration
Registration takes place online at wab.org. Email Vanessa Fulmore vanessaf@wab.org with any questions or to request assistance.

Justice, Equity, Diversity, Accessibility, & Inclusion
Writers & Books commits to an antiracist philosophy and practice. Please visit wab.org/about-us for more information.

Scholarships
Writers & Books is committed to making our programs available to all members of the community. We offer partial and full scholarships based on need. Click HERE for our secure, confidential online scholarship portal.

Accessibility
Writers & Books welcomes and encourages the participation of people with disabilities, as well as individuals from the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities. To make a request for accommodations, such as captioning, please email us at summerwrite@wab.org at least 10 days before the camp begins.

Locations
Please make note of your camp’s location in the description. Most camps take place at Writers & Books, 740 University Avenue, Rochester.

Satellite venues for select camps

Hours
Camps are either half or full days. Morning camps run 9 am-12 pm; afternoon camps run 1 pm-4 pm; full day camps run 9 am-4 pm. Participants may attend for a full day by enrolling in both a morning and an afternoon camp. Campers who stay all day will be supervised continuously, 8:45 am-4:15 pm.

Extended Care
Extended care is available before opening, 8 – 8:45 am, and after closing, 4:15 – 5 pm. To ensure we can fill your request, please register for extended care at least 10 business days before camp. Extended care is offered for all camps located at Writers & Books and for some camps located at satellite sites. Please check your camp description to see if extended care is available. 

What to Bring to Camp
Unless otherwise noted:

  • Pen/pencil and notebook/paper
  • A water bottle
  • A snack to eat during break outside (optional)
  • Lunch, if staying all day

Please do NOT bring:

  • Nuts or nut products of any kind
  • Cell phone or other electronic device (if necessary, they may be turned off and stored in a backpack or bag)

Teaching Artists
Learn more about our Teaching Artists’ breadth of experience and expertise here.

Apprentices
High school and college apprentices assist in all our camps. Learn more about and apply for general and social justice apprenticeships here.

Group Size and Instructor Ratio
Camp sizes are kept small, generally with a ceiling of 12, to maximize group interaction and individual attention. Most camps are led by one adult teaching artist and one high school or college apprentice.

Final Presentations and Anthologies
Many camps have creative ways to celebrate participants’ works, including showcase presentations, digital anthologies, murals, or Hogwarts’ Quibbler newsletter. We email families about these opportunities to engage with campers’ achievements.

Cancellations, Withdrawals, & Refunds
In the event that a camp must be canceled due to low enrollment or other unforeseeable circumstances, you will be notified as far in advance as possible, generally 3-5 business days before the start of camp. A full refund will be issued.

If you withdraw at least 10 business days before the first day of camp, you will receive a full refund, minus a 15% administrative fee. If you withdraw between 5 and 9 business days before the first day of camp, you will receive a full refund, minus a 25% administrative fee. No refunds will be given for withdrawals with an email date later than 5 business days before the start of camp. To withdraw, email vanessaf@wab.org.

Membership
Your Writers & Books membership goes far in supporting programs and opportunities that enrich and transform lives. Plus, it pays to be a member! Sign up for a student or household membership and receive discounts on SummerWrite camps.

Buying Books
Whether your SummerWrite camp recommends specific titles— or you simply want to add new books to your family library— our independent bookstore Ampersand Books is happy to help. Order online any time or browse in person, Wednesday – Saturday. Please visit our friends at Hipocampo Children’s Books to browse a robust, diverse selection of books for children and teens.

SummerWrite Tee Shirts
Every camper who registers prior to June 1, 2023, receives one complimentary tee. You have the opportunity to indicate size at the time of registration. For anyone registering after June 1, a limited number of shirts is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

ILLNESS/COVID PRECAUTIONS
Masking is optional for all participants, staff, parents, visitors etc.

Vaccination
All teaching artists, staff, apprentices, interns, and volunteers are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Vaccination for students is preferred but not required.

Illness
Stay home if you are exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 or any other contagious illness, including, but not limited to: sore throat, congestion or runny nose, fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.

Returning to Camp
Any camper who has tested positive for COVID-19 may return to camp if all of the following are true:

  • No longer exhibiting symptoms
  • It has been at least 7 days since initial positive test result
  • Tested negative for COVID-19

Questions? Please don’t hesitate to be in touch! Email vanessaf@wab.org.