WordsWorth is a creative writing residency for young writers ages 11 – 19 who believe in the power of creative expression through words. For one week away from home, participants are encouraged to take part in screen-free activities that span genres, forms, and creative skill levels. Writers also get to experience the benefits of summer camp: having accommodation in a dorm room, taking group meals in the cafeteria, and evening social activities with other campers.
Immersed in the creative environment of the camp, youth writers have the opportunity to explore and discover their talents through diverse writing-based workshops that are curated by the WordsWorth Director and Creative Team every year. Guided by established and well-respected artist-instructors, participants experience writing through fiction, poetry, music, spoken word, movement, drama, filmmaking, nonfiction, cartooning, and more.
Besides writing classes, WordsWorth is also a place where young writers can come together to celebrate their shared interests and love of writing. Together, they go through a number of rousing extracurricular activities and special events including campfires songs and stories, concerts, open mic nights, nature walks, and exploring other creative activities both outdoors and indoors. Campers often develop meaningful friendships from WordsWorth with other young aspiring writers, and return year after year.
While our full program is still being perfected, we are excited to announce that the dates for WordsWorth 2026 are now available!
Each year we strive to offer the best rate we can to for our campers. This year we are able to offer an early-bird registration rate as well as a regular rate that will be available on March 16, 2026.
Registration includes accommodations costs for your week away, all meals from arrival to departure day, and any activity costs that come up during the week. Please note that our cancellation policy applies.
A limited number of bursaries are available for participants in financial need at the time of registration. We can typically offer 25% to 75% off the WordsWorth registration fee depending on need and availability. To apply for a WordsWorth bursary, please fill out the section of the registration form for bursary applications. The form will ask for the following:
| Cancellation Policy | |
| If you cancel: | You will receive: |
| more than 6 weeks before program start date | 100% of the registration fees refunded minus a nonrefundable $50 administration fee |
| 6 – 3 weeks before program start date | 50% of the registrations fees refunded minus a nonrefundable $50 administration fee |
| 3 weeks or less before program start date | No refund |
Make sure to check out our Youth Programming FAQ.
One of the first things you’ll notice when you arrive at WordsWorth is that the days are full. A Creative Team Member will wake you bright and early for breakfast. After breakfast, you will attend a day of amazing classes with breaks for writing, exploring, chilling and playing.
The evenings don’t slow down either! Jam sessions, followed by nightly shows, campfires and bedtime stories are what to expect each night. Your Creative Team have many exciting extra-curricular activities planned. In other words, be prepared for busy, full days!
Located near the outskirts of Red Deer, RDP has great facilities, access to hiking trails, and plenty of open space for activities. The location offers apartment style accommodation and a large cafeteria. All residences and activities at RDP are supervised by our highly-qualified Creative Team.
In the week prior to camp, all registrants will be sent a WordsWorth Handbook, which provides details about class schedules, registration, drop off and pick-up times, what to bring, camp rules and regulations, and contact information for the camp.
**Times subject to change**
Drop-Off: Please aim to be at RDP at 3:00 pm on the Sunday of your week at WordsWorth. Dorms will be assigned at that time. Registration will begin at 4:00 pm, where participants will select courses, meet the Creative Team and Instructors, and mingle with other writers. The remainder of the day will be devoted to awesome literacy- related, let’s-get-this-week-rolling activities.
Pick-Up: Parents and guests are invited to our final WordsWorth Camp Life Sampler Platter on the Friday of your week at camp. The experience runs from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Tell your parents to be prepared to get involved in camp activities that you sign them up for. Refreshments will be served.
Wordsworth is committed to creating a safe, inclusive and diverse learning community that allows the campers to learn and interpret the world in which we live through dialogue, social interaction and hands-on activities.
"Like everyone else who comes back to WordsWorth year after year, to me it's a home. The community, the atmosphere, and the people, whether it's the Creative Team members, Colin Matty - our wonderful Director - or the instructors, who are unabashedly kind, hilarious, intelligent, and sweet. Here, I'm home."
