June 10-June 14, 2024

We are excited to share with you selections from the students' writing last summer.
Follow this link to access the anthology.

Registration Questions • Classroom Questions • Cost Questions • Waitlist Questions • What Participants Are Saying • Registration Form

 FAQs

REGISTRATION QUESTIONS

When is this year’s Fearless Catholic Writing Camp (FCWC)?

This year’s Fearless Catholic Writing Camp will be Monday, June 10 to Friday, June 14, 2024. Click here to view or download FCWC’s 2024 Brochure.  We welcome students from rising third to rising seventh graders to Fearless Catholic Writing Camp.

Click here to watch a video from last’s year’s Camp.

During the week of June 10-14, 2024, we will also offer the High School Writers Institute (HSWI) for children who are current eighth through twelfth graders. Click here to go to HSWI registration page.

For what grade should I register my child?

FCWC is open to all public education, private education, and home-school education students who will enroll in grades 3-8 in fall 2024. Students will be placed in classrooms based on the grade they will be entering in the fall.

When is the deadline to register?

Our Summer Writing Camps typically closes registration early due to full enrollment. We encourage early enrollment.Please see the refund policy below.

Will my child be in a multi-age or multi-grade classroom?

Multi-age and multi-grade classrooms may take place with some camp classrooms. Although we try our best to keep classrooms confined to one grade level, CLA may need to place students in a multi-age or multi-grade classroom based on enrollment.

Can I request that my child be in a class with a friend?

At the time of registration, a parent may request a student be placed in a class with another student, and we will try our best to honor that request. Please indicate your request during registration.

Does FCWC offer care for students before and after camp?

We do not offer before or after-camp child care. Students must be picked up at the University of St. Thomas Campus by 2:20 pm each day or be charged a rate of $5/minute.

Do you provide transportation?

CLA does not provide transportation.

Who do I contact if I still have questions?

If you have any additional questions about FCWC or encounter any problems during registration, please call the Catholic Literary Arts office and ask for Sarah Cortez at 713.331.9342.

CLASSROOM QUESTIONS

What time does class begin and end?

Daily sign-in begins at 8:30 a.m. each day. We officially start the day at 9:00 am with Community Prayer, then proceed to the first session at 9:10 am.

There will be four hours of instruction, plus lunch and daily Mass, Monday through Thursday.

We will begin signing out students at 2:00 p.m. each day. You will be emailed details of the drop-off and pick-up location and procedures. Please be punctual. If you have an emergency, please notify us at 713.331.9342. There will be a charge of $5/minute after 2:20 p.m. each day.

Friday, June 14 will be devoted to a reading beginning at nine-thirty a.m. by each student of work written during the week. All parents and friends of the students are invited to attend this public event on the UST campus. Students receive a full portfolio of the week’s writing to take home. Parents will take their children home after the reading, generally before 12 noon.

Is this camp just like school?

FCWC provides a unique setting in which children can learn the power of words, gain practice in self-expression, and expand their creativity while having fun. Hesitant writers bloom in our supportive environment as they experience different ways of writing and asking questions. Children also develop the confidence to think of themselves as writers. Children who already see themselves as authors develop new skills, stretch their creativity, and enjoy inspiration and mentoring from professional faculty writers.

What does a typical camp day look like?

All camp classrooms include the following components. The day’s structure is determined by the teacher(s) and may vary, but these components will be included.

• Time for community building

• Creative entry points into writing through mentor texts, art, music, or movement

• Individual and partner writing time

• One-on-one conferencing with the teacher

• Teacher feedback on the student’s writing

• Practice of revision techniques

• Oral presentation of writing to the class at the author’s chair

• Creation of a writing portfolio

What is the student-teacher ratio?

Each class is taught by two Safe Haven-certified, professional faculty members trained in our unique methodology. Fearless Catholic Writing Camp typically includes two classroom teachers, as well as an assistant, with a ratio of 1 teacher to 10 students.

What is the FCWC faculty like?

All our faculty meet rigorous standards for teaching in Catholic education. They are passionate about spreading the joy of the Gospel through sacred Scriptural texts and life-affirming example. 

Our goal is to open the floodgates of inspired and inspiring Fearless Catholic Writers!

We are writers ourselves. Our philosophy is to share writing by connecting students to the power of creative expression. We encourage shy writers and give them additional skills to build confidence. We challenge confident writers to open new vistas of creative expression. We share the wonderful gifts that professional writing has given to us — particularly the ways we create a supportive community of self-expression based on the Beatitudes.

What does my child need to bring to camp?

Generally, your child should bring to camp a labeled bottle of water, his or her lunch, pencils or pens. Younger students should also bring a mid-morning snack. Additional materials for creative projects will be supplied during the Camp.

How does lunch or breaks work during the day?

All students will bring their lunches. All lunch containers must bear the student's name. There is a supervised lunch break roughly mid-way through the class day. Students may have supervised break time inside or outside a building on the UST campus. Students can bring snacks or a lunch that can be eaten during lunch or break times.

What is the dress code for FCWC?

Students may wear jeans, trousers, or pants. Shorts are permitted if they are modest in length. For girls, no halter tops, tank tops, swim suit tops, or blouses that show the midriff or that are lower in front than the collar bone. Girls may wear dresses that cover the shoulder and are knee-length or longer. For student safety, no flip-flops.

Please remember that students and teachers attend daily Mass. Therefore, it is important that students are appropriately attired in an attitude of respect for the Holy Eucharist.

On Friday, June 14, for the final reading, all students must wear school uniforms or church clothes. Let the excitement of the Friday final reading inspire your child to dress with special care and a more formal look than during the other four days of Camp.

Will my child attend mass during FCWC?

Each class and instructors attend daily Mass during Camp.

What is the Final Friday celebration?

Every year, FCWC has a Final Friday Celebration, a time devoted to a reading by each student of work written during the week. All parents and friends of the students are invited to attend this public event on the UST campus.

On Friday, June 14, for the final reading, all students must wear school uniforms or “Sunday best” church clothes. For the young men, this means trousers or slacks with a polo or button-down Oxford shirt. Many young men choose to also wear ties. For the young ladies, this means knee-length or longer dresses or skirts, slacks, and a modest blouse. Jeans, shorts, spaghetti straps and other casual clothing is inappropriate attire for the students for the Friday reading.

COST QUESTIONS

Are there deadlines and refunds for cancellations?

When you enroll your child in Fearless Catholic Writing Camp, you will agree to the following cancellation and refund policy:

By enrolling my child, I understand and agree that Fearless Catholic Writing Camp will provide:

• Through May 1, at 11:59 p.m., a refund for full tuition minus a $75 cancellation fee for each child.     

• From May 1 through May 10, at 11:59 p.m., a refund of 50% tuition for each child.

• After May 10, 11:59 p.m., no refunds will be given.

• No prorated refund will be provided for students who miss a day or partial day of Camp.

What if my child cannot attend the full session?

The Fearless Catholic Writing Camp is an intensive writing workshop, and participation is important for student success. We recognize the importance of incremental learning especially for skills such as writing. Your child will gain skills and focus through regular attendance at Camp for the full day's session each day of Camp. No refunds are made for illness or lack of attendance for any reason.

How are payments accepted?

Payments may only be made online using PayPal. A confirmation email will be sent following registration. A waiver will be emailed for completion before the first day of camp. No payment plans are available, and the full tuition is due at the time of registration. Regrettably, if payment is not made, the student’s enrollment cannot be guaranteed.

Are scholarships available?

Yes! Due to the generosity of our benefactors, scholarships are available for interested students. If you would like to donate for a scholarship to Fearless Catholic Writing Camp, please click here to donate to Catholic Literary Arts.

If you wish to apply for a scholarship, please email to cathla.org@gmail.com the following items by April 1st:

• A letter from the parents stating a need for scholarship, age and current grade level of the child. Please also provide the child’s current school by name and current Catholic parish.

• A letter from the child stating why he/she wishes to attend the Camp.

Does the cost differ based on the camp?

Fearless Catholic Writing Camp Tuition

Regular Registration Rates for registration after April 15, 2024 are: First child = $275, second sibling = $250, third and more = $235 each.

As an example:

The first child is always $275.
The second child is always $250.
The third child, fourth and fifth, etc. child is always $235 each.

In other words, if a parent registers five children, the first child will be charged $275. The second is $250, The third, fourth, and fifth will be charged the "Third child and above" rate.

What does my child get for their tuition?

Students receive about 20 hours of high-quality classroom instruction with published authors and professional teachers, a publication of the camp’s student anthology with a portfolio of each student’s best writing, and a classroom reading or performance.

WAITLIST QUESTIONS

What happens if my child is put on a waitlist?

Class sizes are approximately 22 students per class. Multi-grade classrooms may be necessary due to enrollment figures. We will try our best to place students in single-grade classrooms. If all spaces are filled, your application will be put on a waiting list. CLA will hold on to your application during this time. In the event there is a cancellation and space becomes available, you will be notified to see if you are still interested in the program. You will not pay for the class until you have confirmed.

Do you offer camps or workshops at other times?

At this time, CLA only offers one summer session of one week in length. Due to growing interest in our Fearless Catholic Writing Camp, we pray in the future we can provide more options for families to enroll their children for additional weeks in the summer.

During each academic school year, we offer a tuition-based program called the Teen Mentorship Writing Program. Use this link to read the details [Richard, please add link to Teen Mentorship page.]

In addition to summer camp, CLA also offers an After-School program for Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston throughout the year. Please contact us to discuss programming for fall or spring semesters at your school.

We also extend our teaching expertise through the Fearless Writers Lessons Plans to allow parents and other classroom teachers to teach creative writing in poetry, fiction, personal essay, and sacred story.  This self-paced resource works well for parents and students who enjoy guidance through pre-writing, idea generation, analysis of the mentor text, and a specific writing assignment with suggestions for revision–just as they have learned in Fearless Catholic Writing Camp. Click here for details.

When is the deadline to register?

Please register early. Our classes fill up quickly.

What Participants Are Saying

“I love learning about haikus, senryus, and tankas!"

— Fernando, Age 16

“I learned so much... I can’t wait to come back next year!”

— Kaitlyn, Age 11

“This week I learned about essay format, writing fiction, and poetry.  I loved writing fiction, and have written two stories that made it hard to put my pen down.

— Henry, Age 15

“The thing about Writing Camp is that you learn how to write better and you make a lot of friends. The teachers here are the best and the sweetest.”

— April, Age 10

“I loved that we were able to go to Mass every day.  I appreciated being able to pray and take time to reflect after busy mornings.”

— Julia, Age 15

 Camp Course Description

FCWC specializes in teaching practical creative writing skills in the areas of fiction, poetry, sacred story, and creative nonfiction. While doing so, FCWC activates and employs higher level analytical and imaginative skills, teaching students how to analyze mentor texts through the discussion of vocabulary, figurative language, and explicit vs. implicit meaning. Our use of writing and revision strategies leads students to realize that expressing their thoughts and ideas on the written page brings them newfound freedom and joy.

Register Now

2024 Fearless Catholic Writing® Camp  Registration

Monday - Friday, June 10 - 14, 2024

Individual registration is required for each child. 

All payment is electronic via PayPal. You may charge your credit card through PayPal.

Registration is a two-part process. Both steps must be completed to register your child.

Step One:

Fill out the registration form.
To be taken to the form, click the “Register” button below.
You will be taken away from this page.
Fill out the form, submit it, then return to this page to pay.