• Location: Resistencia Books
• Dates: June 10th-14th, 1pm–4pm

Kids can let their imaginations run wild by combining the ordinary with the fantastical at Austin Bat Cave’s Magic Realism summer workshop! This program will encourage students to break the rules of everyday reality by infusing their writing with magical elements: trees can talk, statues can come to life, humans can have secret superpowers…the possibilities for creativity and invention are endless. Students will read story excerpts, hear from guest speakers, talk through their ideas in daily brainstorming sessions, and craft their very own short stories inspired by this magical fiction genre.

To sign up, click here.

• Location: 1317 S. Congress Ave
• Dates: June 17th–21st, 9am–12pm

This camp is for kids who love a good mystery. Work with instructors on planning the backstory to a crime and creating an emotional arc for a character affected by the mystery. Students will learn about stakes (why does the protagonist need to solve the mystery?) as well as the delightful process of clue-planting.

To sign up, click here.

• Location: 1317 S. Congress Ave
• Dates: June 24th–28th, 1pm–4pm

This workshop is for the young writers who want to explore the craft and conventions of fiction. We will focus on different genres, but particular attention will be paid to the structure of short fiction. Students will produce a piece of polished fiction by week’s end.

To sign up, click here.

• REGISTRATION CLOSED
• Waitlist Only

Location: 1317 S. Congress Ave | Dates: July 8th–12th, 1pm–4pm

Get ready to explore a post-apocalyptic Austin! This camp is for kids ages 11-14 who want to write apocalyptic, dystopian, or futuristic fiction (Think Hunger Games. Think Divergent. Think Uglies). Campers will re-imagine their city and neighborhoods in post-apocalyptic terms and bring these worlds to life on the page. Over the course of the workshop, students will complete one short story and do a public reading.

To add your name to the waitlist, click here.

• Location: 1317 S. Congress Ave
• Dates: July 22nd–26th, 9am–12pm

This workshop for young poets will explore a variety of different poetic forms including lyrics, sonnets, blank verse, and more. For the young William Carlos Williams or Louise Gluck in your life! In addition to written poetry, students will learn about slam and spoken word. The week will end with a reading of work by the students!

To sign up, click here.

• Location: TBA
• Dates: July 29th–Aug. 2nd, 1pm–5pm

In this camp, students will create a fantasy character, designing everything from their physical traits to their backstory. Camp adventurers will work together in small groups to solve problems, defeat monsters, and save the day as they discover their stories.

To sign up, click here.

• Location: 1317 S. Congress Ave.
• Dates: July 29th–Aug. 2nd, 1pm–4pm

Want to tell stories and broadcast them to millions of listeners all over the internet? Ready to do some journalistic digging and get to the bottom of what’s really going on? This summer camp for high schoolers will focus on the many different genres of podcasts and how to write, record, and produce. Campers will get the opportunity to work with professionals from the world of radio and podcasting. Podcasts will be featured on Austin Bat Cave’s website and social media pages!

To sign up, click here.