Lighthouse Young Writers Workshop—Is It Worth It?
If you’ve been considering attending a pre-college program for high school students, you’re already one step closer to success. These summer programs or immersions go beyond what is taught in high schools and help you build the skills that are necessary to excel in your college life and career. Writing programs, in particular, give you the time, space, and tools to write more and write better. You get the opportunity to explore genres, try different forms of writing like non-fiction or screenwriting, and play with language.
However, deciding whether to invest time and resources into a writing program can be challenging, especially for young writers. The Lighthouse Young Writers Workshop is a well-regarded program based in Denver, but is it worth attending? In this article, we break it down for you and weigh the program’s pros and cons to help you determine if it is the right fit for you.
What is the Lighthouse Writers Workshop?
Lighthouse Writers Workshop is a non-profit organization in Denver that offers writing and literary events for writers of all levels, including high school students. These include author talks, panel discussions, literary festivals, and most importantly, a wide range of creative writing workshops. The workshops are designed to give you an opportunity to explore different types of writing in a supportive and inspiring environment.
What are the Lighthouse Writers Workshops for young writers?
While the Lighthouse Writers Workshop is open to all writers, the organization hosts workshops specifically for young writers as well. This includes students from middle and high school who are interested in honing their writing skills. There are a large variety of workshops to choose from, covering different styles and formats of writing from fiction and poetry to screenplays and college essays.
You can go through the full list of available workshops here. Each workshop has different sessions with different dates, so it’s a good idea to check the most updated listings. Here’s a breakdown of some of the workshops the program currently offers:
1. Wild, Weird, and Supernatural: Sci-fi and Fantasy Club
Eligibility: There is a track for 11-13 year olds and another for 14-18 year olds
Program dates: The program takes place in 4-week cohorts on a rolling basis
Location: Online
Fee: $120
This workshop is for students who are interested in speculative fiction, which includes genres like science fiction, fantasy, supernatural, horror, dystopian fiction, and surrealism. You’ll learn how to build magic systems, write non-human characters, and establish themes. The curriculum includes studying stories by various authors and using prompts to develop your own writing. This workshop is for all kinds of writers, from beginners to the more advanced students.
Application deadline: Multiple, year-round deadlines
Eligibility: Students aged 14-18
Program dates: Meetings are every Wednesday for the in-person track in Denver and every Thursday for the online track
Location: Lighthouse, Denver, CO or virtual
Fee: $550/semester
The Young Authors Collective is a writers group for teenagers that has weekly meetings. The program functions through workshops where students exchange their written pieces, giving and receiving feedback. Students work on different writing forms like fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, and experimental forms. This is a great option for students looking for general practice and consistency in writing.
3. Writing Marathon
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Different tracks are available for students aged 9-12 and 12-15
Program dates: Multiple dates available. The program takes place on one day between 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Lighthouse, Denver, CO for ages 9-12, virtual for ages 12-15
Fee: $125
This workshop is a day-long program for students to get together and write. Each marathon is structured differently and focuses on a different genre and theme. As a participant, you will get to try writing in a variety of styles and approaches. This workshop is open to beginner and advanced students, so anyone can join irrespective of experience.
4. College Essay Bootcamp for Teens
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: All teenagers
Program dates: Multiple dates available. The program takes place on one day between 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Fee: Free
This is another day-long program that focuses solely on writing a personal statement or essay for college applications. The boot camp is an intensive workshop that will take you through the process of creating a personal statement, and you will end the program with a polished draft ready for your applications. The workshop includes interactive exercises, group discussions, and personalized feedback, all of which help you highlight your unique qualities in the essay.
5. Preparing Your Portfolio
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students aged 10 years and above
Program dates: Multiple dates and timings are available
Location: Online
Fee: Free
Similar to the Writing Marathon, this workshop is a day program where you will work on several creative writing pieces. The workshop is designed to provide you with practical experience in various types of creative writing. Through several craft exercises, you will explore different genres and formats, from poetry to script and memoir writing. This workshop will be particularly beneficial to those who are looking to develop a portfolio of versatile writing that can be used for college applications and contest submissions.
Application deadline: Registration remains open till the class fills up
Eligibility: Options are available for students between the ages of 8-18
Program dates: Typically June to August
Location: Virtual and in-person at Lighthouse, Denver, CO
Fee: $270 – $575 depending on the course
Aside from the general workshops available, the Lighthouse Writers Workshop also offers a summer camp for students interested in writing. As a participant, you can expect to learn about topics like journalism, lyric writing, social justice writing, experimental fiction, creative non-fiction, and more. You can go through the full list of courses here. You’ll learn from established writers and work in cohorts of no more than 12 students.
There are multiple formats available for the week-long camps, and you can choose between full-day camps, half-day camps, or the residential summer intensive. The summer intensive happens only once per summer, but it also offers the opportunity to learn from multiple published writers, complete one piece of writing, and take part in a public reading at the end.
Is there financial aid?
The Lighthouse Writers Workshop does offer financial assistance for each class through grants and donations, although it is limited. Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis, so you do need to apply for it as soon as possible. The organization also offers payment plans for those who want to break up their payments over time.
Is it prestigious?
As a non-profit organization that has been offering education programs and a community for writers and readers for over 25 years, the Lighthouse Writers Workshop is considered fairly prestigious. The organization has a reputation for having a supportive environment and fostering talent, and the workshops are known for their high-quality instruction and the accomplished writers who lead them. As a student pursuing a literary interest, this program could provide a boost to your college applications.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Skill development: These workshops provide structured opportunities for you to practice your craft and improve your writing through guided exercises and feedback.
Open to all students: Most of the workshops are open to all kinds of writers, from complete beginners to advanced writers. The workshops are tailored to provide an enriching experience no matter your level of experience.
Networking: By giving you access to published authors and other aspiring writers, the workshops offer an opportunity to build a network of people in the writing community. These can lead to valuable connections that will help you in the future as well.
Cost: Compared to other creative writing programs offered by renowned universities, the fees for the Lighthouse Writers Workshop are relatively low.
Exposure to the literary world: Through the Lighthouse Writers Workshop, you will also learn about other literary events like book readings, literary festivals, and more, which could be valuable additions.
Cons
Limited financial aid: With a few exceptions, all the workshops come with a fee which can be a deterrent to some students. Financial aid, while available, is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
No cross-disciplinary approach: While these workshops offer high-quality instruction in the field of writing, they don’t expand to consider the intersection of writing with other fields. The curriculum has a tight focus on writing and is best suited to those who are actively pursuing a career in writing.
Location: Being based in Denver, the in-person workshops may not be accessible to students who live far away. A few virtual options are available, but they may not offer the same experience as in-person workshops.
Our Review—Should you apply?
When it comes to the Lighthouse Writers Workshop, there are a few different factors to consider. For one, the program definitely offers a high level of literary instruction. There is a wide range of options to choose from, covering several different genres and writing styles. No matter which you choose, each workshop offers the opportunity to learn from accomplished writers, enhance your writing through engaging exercises, and build connections within the literary community. So if you’re a budding writer looking to pursue a career in writing, this program is a good choice for you.
However, the Lighthouse Writers Workshops are intensive programs that focus only on the craft of writing. It does not touch upon the intersection of writing with other fields like research or debate. So if you’re unsure about which career path to follow, you might want to look at programs that offer a more inter-disciplinary experience and allow you to explore different interests. Ultimately, you must make your decision after weighing your individual goals, interests, and resources.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, you could also consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to dev=elop an independent research paper.