Youth Offerings

The Loft’s Young Writers’ Program offers year-round, high-quality, challenging, fun, enrichment-based creative writing instruction across genres, to all levels, for kids and teens ages 6-18. We aid and inspire our young writers to become critical thinkers, sophisticated readers, engaged citizens, and innovative artists as they discover the power of the written word. Many classes are taught by award-winning, published writers. Loft classes are process based, rather than product based, and seek to support children and teens as they become excited, engaged writers and readers. 

The Loft offers a variety of youth opportunities at the Loft (online and in person), as well as through community partnerships with local schools and libraries through Bring the Loft to You and Academic Support Services.

Calling all young writers! The Loft's Young Writers Program publishes an annual anthology of students' writing in the Loft Young Writers Anthology from youth participants in community programs (Bring the Loft to You, First Pages) and education programs (Summer, Fall, or Winter Youth). Our goal is to provide a safe space for youth to express themselves, regardless of their experience, background, ethnicity, and/or identity, and elevate their voices and unique perspectives.

Eligible students may submit up to 3 double-spaced pages. Work must have been written, started, or revised in a Loft workshop or class between September 2024 to September 2025. Submissions close on September 8, 2025 at 11:59 PM.

Camp dates for 2025 are July 22-25 for Ages 10 to 13. Camp hours are 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Tuesday through Friday. We are accepting applications on a rolling basis and will let you know within 2 weeks about your application status. There is a short writing sample (no more than 1000 words) to help us gauge student interest and fit in the program. Registration is now open! Apply today!

Camp dates for 2025 are July 29-August 1 for Ages 14 to 18. Camp hours are 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Tuesday through Friday. We are accepting applications on a rolling basis and will let you know within 2 weeks about your application status. There is a short writing sample (no more than 1000 words) to help us gauge student interest and fit in the program. Registration is now open! Apply today!

Registration is open as long as there is space available in a class. You can register  your child or teen online at www.loft.org or by calling 612-379-8999. We are  here to help. A detailed confirmation letter will be emailed once your registration  has been processed. Please note that you will be asked to fill out a Health and Safety form after registering, which will be included as a link in your confirmation letter. 

The grade ranges listed for each class are suggested guidelines, but before  registering your child for a class outside of their grade range, please consider  that teaching artists propose classes based on age ranges they are comfortable  teaching. Suggested grade ranges also consider socialization, as well as more mature class discussions; you may have an incredibly gifted child who excels at  writing and learning, but please consider whether they would be comfortable in a class with children much older/younger, comfortable participating in more mature class discussions pertaining to writing for older audiences, and how it would affect  the learning environment for the other students. Please note that grade levels  reflect the grade the student will be entering in the fall. If you have questions, please call 612-379-8999.

Children and teens with special needs or disabilities are always welcome at the  Loft! Please call us at 612-379-8999 if you would like to discuss how the Loft can  accommodate the needs of your child or teen (hearing or sight impairments, children with PCAs, learning challenges, closed caption needs) in order for them to  more fully participate in and enjoy Loft classes!

In the event the Loft has to cancel a class, you will be notified in advance and issued  a 100% refund. If you need to cancel, notify the Loft education office before the start  of the second class meeting to receive our standard 85% refund. Unless the Loft  cancels a class, no 100% refunds can be given once registration has taken place,  as there is a registration fee of 15%. No refunds will be given after the start of the  second class meeting.