Course Description

Students in this course will explore the City of Seattle and find inspiration from a variety of places: the Seattle Art Museum, the Central Library, the Woodland Park Zoo, the Seattle Japanese Garden, and many other locations both on campus and off. These field trips will serve as inspiration for writing assignments in all genres, including essays, poems, stories, and graphic novels. We will read and discuss authors and artists, contemporary and historical, from around the world who have drawn inspiration from their environment. 

The class will emphasize improving the quality of our writing, taking creative risks, and sharing an open and artistic community with other writers. Students should expect to write quite a bit every day, both individually and in groups. Our work will culminate in the production of a class literary journal composed of work created during our time together.

Essential Questions

  • What is the value of creative work? How do we access our creativity? 
  • How can the tools of creative writing, in all genres, be applied to academic writing? 
  • Where do we turn for inspiration beyond the page? 
  • How can different genres reflect and respond to society?

Other Information

  • Students will be required to bring a laptop or similar device. The Robinson Center can provide a device if your student does not have access.
  • This course requires some homework to be completed outside of the program day.
  • This course includes field trips both on and off the UW Campus. We will be walking and/or using public transportation.

Who Should Apply

  • Students currently in 5th or 6th grade.

Week Overview

Date Theme/Topic 
Week 1 Exploring the Elements of Storytelling with field trips to  Woodland Zoo & Seattle Japanese Garden
Week 2                  Writing with Poetry, Art, and Comics with field trips to Seattle Public Library & Seattle Asian Art Museum
Week 3 Crafting a Literary Journal with field trips to National Nordic Museum & Henry Art Gallery

Instructors

Details

Cost

  • $1450
    • $1400 (tuition)
    • $50 (registration fee)

Time

9am - 2:30pm

Location

  • University of Washington Seattle Campus
  • Building and Room TBD

Date

  • July 6th-24th, 2026
  • Monday - Friday

Refund and Transfer Deadlines

  • Full tuition refund: April 10th
  • 50% tuition refund: April 11th-May 8th
  • No refund: after May 8th