For more than forty years, the Wick Poetry Center at Kent State University has aimed to bring poetry to everyday lives by fostering meaningful conversations and engaging diverse audiences around the world, empowering individuals to share their voice across divisions of language, age, and culture. The list below contains the current calls, contests, scholarships, and surveys for which we are currently accepting submissions.
Wick Juniors Summer Camp is for writers entering grades 3 through 12, from
July 8-July 12, 2026 with a
registration fee: $375.00*.
The Wick Juniors Summer Camp is offered in partnership with the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Students entering grades 3 through 12 will experience one day with the Wick Poetry Center teachers at Kent State University, followed by a three-night, four-day stay at the Environmental Education Center (EEC) in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Through guided hikes, outdoor exploration, and more personalized experiences, the young writers will explore how the natural world influences our writing. The experiences are unique to this camp, as the Wick Poetry Center works hand-in hand-with CVNP to combine nature, poetry, and play. A culminating reading will be held on the grounds of the CVNP on Sunday. The registration fee covers all expenses, including meals and lodging during the days spent at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Additionally, the young writers will receive a t-shirt, notebook, and pencils. To best serve your student, space is limited to 60 campers. A full camp itinerary for 2026 is forthcoming, but you can view last year's itinerary linked below. If you have any questions or concerns, please email: wickjuniors@kent.edu
*Scholarships available.