WITS CAMP At HCC
WITS Camps at HCC West Loop Campus offer rising 6th through 12th grade students with unique opportunities to expand their writing and creativity during the month of July. During these three one-week sessions, students will explore podcasting, digital storytelling, screenwriting and more in Houston Community College's state-of-the-art West Loop Campus.
2026 Classes
Digital Storytelling
Sharing stories in the digital age begins with writing! Experienced teaching writers will work with students to adapt any genre of writing to a variety of platforms, developing original ideas to present to a digital world. From making gifs and short videos to combining text with images and publishing digital zines, students will experiment with long- and short-form platforms, while also making considerations for voice, audience, and editing. This is an opportunity to create interactive storytelling experiences, add new tools to a student’s digital toolbox, and learn how to share their work with new audiences.
General Writing
An introduction to the magic of creative writing! This course offers a variety of interactive writing activities and customized exercises designed to help students develop their unique writer’s voice, broaden their imaginations, and boost their confidence as writers. Students will explore a range of poetry, prose, and creative nonfiction as they use their writing to investigate their worlds and examine issues that are important to them.
Podcasting
Explore the world of podcasting! This course will
provide conceptual and hands-on experience, guiding
students in developing their writing to report on a subject of interest— science, history, pop culture, etc.—and create original audio content. With the support of our talented teaching writers, students will write pitches, develop concepts, and create narrative structures to lay a solid foundation for recording. They will also gain experience in interviewing, scriptwriting, and editing in support of their journey towards publishing a final short episode of their podcast.
Sci-Fi & Fantasy Writing
Embark on a thrilling journey into the magical worlds of science fiction and fantasy. Whether new to this genre or a fantasy expert, students will discover the secrets of crafting immersive worlds, creating compelling characters, and mastering intricate plots. From the art of genre blending to developing your unique voice, this course offers a dynamic blend of writing exercises, workshops, and collaborative discussions, providing the tools and inspiration to bring your wildest imaginings to life. Join us and unleash your creativity in the fantastical landscapes of the uncanny and unreal.
Screenwriting
Create a blueprint for actors and directors to put on the screen! From developing characters to establishing a dramatic structure, students will learn how to craft a story cinematically. Our experienced teachers will work with them to develop a new approach to their story ideas, incorporating elements of screenwriting such as formatting, scene descriptions, dialog, story notes, and transitions. Students will also screen various examples of film and television, as well as read and discuss existing screenplays, which will serve as mentor texts to inform and inspire their work.
Essay Writing
Explore your own writer's voice and give “new life” to the art of essay. By asking you to examine memories and personal stories, a writer can connect in meaningful ways to the great, vast world around them. In this class, we will analyze and practice this time honored literary form while experimenting with its contemporary non-fiction cousins like flash non-fiction, recipe writing, and humor to expand and sharpen your essay writing skills. This course is especially important for those of you who are preparing to write college entrance essays and personal statements for scholarship applications. Through our writer workshop model of peer review, you will work with your fellow writers to hone techniques and approaches, and you will leave with a portfolio of several completed essays.
REgister
July 6-10, 2026
9:00am-3:00pm
6-7th: General Writing
6-7th: Digital Storytelling
8-9th: Sci-Fi & Fantasy Writing
10-12th: Podcasting
July 13-17, 2026
9:00am-3:00pm
6-7th: General Writing
6-7th: Sci-Fi & Fantasy Writing
8-9th: Digital Storytelling
10-12th: Screenwriting