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[Title] => Camp Scare
[Description] => A campfire. A full moon. A rustle in the bushes... What happens next?
[Subheading] => Camp Scare challenges young writers aged 6-13 to create a spooky mini saga in up to 100 words.
[Age] => Ideal for 6-13 years
[Intro] =>
From monster summer camps and friendly ghosts, to strange noises in the woods and spooky adventures, anything could happen!
Scary or funny, creepy or cute, the story is theirs.
DEADLINE EXTENDED!
New Closing Date: Friday, November 13, 2026
Write it. Enter it. Get it published.
A 100-word story could turn a student into a published author.
Students have the chance to see their Camp Scare stories published in a real Young Writers book and experience the excitement of seeing their own writing in print.
5 WINNING WRITERS
Our 5 favorite writers will each win a creative writing goody bag.
EVERY ENTRANT GETS SOMETHING
Every student who enters receives Camp Scare stickers, with certificates for all students whose stories we'd love to publish.
TOP SCHOOL
The school with the best set of entries will receive the Young Writers Award of Excellence.
What's out there in the dark?
Not sure what happens next? Start with a campfire, add a little imagination, and see where the story takes you...
Something moved outside the tent...
Is it an animal, a monster, or something nobody expected?
The campfire suddenly went out...
Why did it happen, and what do they hear in the darkness?
There’s a ghost at summer camp...
Is it frightening, friendly, funny, or just looking for someone to talk to?
Nobody was supposed to go into the woods...
So what happens when someone does?
We heard a howl across the campsite...
What made the noise, and is it getting closer?
This is the strangest camp ever...
What makes this camp different from every other one?
Or invent a campfire adventure completely your own.
Monsters, mysteries, strange creatures, secret trails, friendly ghosts, things that go bump in the night... anything can happen at Camp Scare.
Easy to offer. Easy to get started.
Use Camp Scare in whatever way works for you and your students.
Run it as a class activity, share it with interested writers, use it for enrichment, or offer it as a fun fall writing challenge.
We've created everything you need to make getting started simple, including:
- a video introduction
- slide deck
- graphic organizer
- activity resources
- student entry forms
Use as much or as little support as you need.
1
IMAGINE
Think of a spooky idea
3
WRITE
Tell it in 100 words
Free resources to make it easy
Whether you're running Camp Scare with your whole class or simply giving interested young writers the chance to enter, pick the support that works for you.
GET THEM INTERESTED
Video introduction • Contest poster • Slide deck
GET THE IDEAS FLOWING
Graphic organizer • Story inspiration
GET THEM WRITING
Activity resources • Examples • Writing support
GET THEM ENTERED
Student entry forms • Printable and online entry options
Big imaginations. Just 100 words.
Writing a complete story in up to 100 words encourages students to make every word count.
As they create their Camp Scare mini saga, they can explore plot, atmosphere, suspense, and tension while thinking carefully about how to build a story with a beginning, middle, and end.
Can they take one spooky idea and turn it into a story readers will remember?
Prizes and recognition
Give your students the chance to become published authors, celebrate their creativity, and win some fang-tastic prizes!
FOR STUDENTS
5 writers will each win a creative writing goody bag
Become a published author
Students have the opportunity to see their Camp Scare stories published in a real Young Writers book.
Celebrate their achievement
Students whose work we'd love to publish will receive a certificate.
PLUS:
Every entrant receives Camp Scare stickers.
FOR SCHOOLS
Young Writers' Award of Excellence
The school with the best set of entries will receive the Young Writers Award of Excellence.
Free copies for your school
Your school will receive a free copy of the book your students feature in.
The more entries you send, the more free books you’ll receive:
1–30 entries = 1 free copy
•
31–60 entries = 2 free copies
•
and so on.
Ready to enter?
Entering your students' Camp Scare mini sagas is easy:
COLLECT THEIR STORIES
Each mini saga should be no more than 100 words.
CHOOSE HOW TO ENTER
Submit entries online, by email, or mail them to us.
SEND THEM BY NOVEMBER 13, 2026
Then leave the rest to us!
Ready to send in your Camp Scare stories?
READY TO ENTER?
SUBMIT ENTRIES →
Submit online, by email, or mail your entries to us.
MORE CONTEST INFO
Everything you need to take part:
[Rules] =>
THE STORY- Mini sagas must be the students' own work.
- Mini sagas can be written on the entry form, on a separate sheet of paper, or typed.
- The word limit is 100 words, not including the title, but entries can be shorter.
- Students can work together. Please include both names on one entry form.
WHAT TO INCLUDE
- Each entry should include the student's name and age.
- First names only or initials can be used if needed.
SENDING YOUR ENTRIES
- There is no limit to the number of students a school can enter.
- There is one entry per student.
- Where possible, please submit your students entries together.
- Please include one Teacher Entry Form per teacher.
GOOD TO KNOW
- Free to enter.
- No purchase necessary to win.
- Open to US entrants only.
- Copyright remains with the author.
[School Prizes] =>
TOP SCHOOL
Young Writers' Award of Excellence
Free copies for your school
Your school will receive a free copy of the book your students feature in.
The more entries you send, the more free books you’ll receive:
1–30 entries = 1 free copy
•
31–60 entries = 2 free copies
•
and so on.
[Student Prizes] =>
5 WINNING WRITERS
Creative writing goody bag each
Become a published author
Students have the opportunity to see their Camp Scare stories published in a real Young Writers book.
Celebrate their achievement
Students whose work we'd love to publish will receive a certificate.
Every entrant receives Camp Scare stickers
A little something to celebrate taking part in the contest.
(School and student winners will be chosen from entries received Sept-Nov 2026 that have permission to be published. No purchase necessary. Goody bag image is an example, contents may vary.)
[Tips] =>
[YouTube] => XyBDzH_kd8I
[Opens] => 2026-08-16
[Closes] => 2026-11-13
[Extended] => 1
[Orion ID] => 768
[RR Ontraport ID] =>
[DL Ontraport ID] => 852
[Post Class] => Elementary
[Orion Teacher Year] => Elementary
[How to Enter] =>
[Winners Subheading] =>
[Winners Intro] =>
[Winner Word] =>
[Schools/Clubs] => Schools
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[Independent Intro] =>
A CAMPFIRE. A FULL MOON. A RUSTLE IN THE BUSHES... WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Grab your imagination and tell us a spooky story in just 100 words.
Camp Scare challenges you to create an original mini saga of up to 100 words.
Scary or funny, creepy or cute, mysterious or adventurous, the story is yours.
WRITE IT. ENTER IT. GET PUBLISHED.
Your 100-word story could turn you into a published author.
Enter Camp Scare for the chance to see your story published in a real Young Writers book.
5 WRITERS WILL EACH WIN A CREATIVE WRITING GOODY BAG
Writers whose story we'd love to publish will also receive a certificate, and every entrant receives Camp Scare stickers.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Stuck for an idea? Start with one of these and see where your imagination takes you...
Something moved outside the tent...
Is it an animal, a monster, or something nobody expected?
The campfire suddenly went out...
Why did it happen, and what can you hear in the darkness?
There’s a ghost at summer camp...
Is it frightening, friendly, funny, or just looking for someone to talk to?
Nobody was supposed to go into the woods...
So what happens when someone does?
We heard a howl across the campsite...
What made the noise, and is it getting closer?
This is the strangest camp ever...
What makes this camp different from every other one?
Or invent a campfire adventure completely your own.
Monsters, mysteries, strange creatures, secret trails, friendly ghosts, things that go bump in the night... anything can happen at Camp Scare.
READY TO WRITE?
You only need an idea and 100 words. Here’s how to turn it into your Camp Scare story.
1
IMAGINE
Think of a spooky idea
2
PLAN
Decide what happens
3
WRITE
Tell it in 100 words
4
ENTER
Send us your story
MAKE YOUR STORY COUNT
A great campfire story doesn’t have to be long. Try these quick tips:
Dive straight into the action
Start when something exciting, strange, funny, or spooky is already happening.
Keep your cast small
Two or three characters are plenty when you only have 100 words.
It doesn’t have to be scary
Your story can be funny, surprising, mysterious, or adventurous.
Check your word count
Your story can be fewer than 100 words, but not more. The title doesn’t count towards the limit.
HOW TO ENTER
Finished your Camp Scare story? Entering is simple.
1. CHECK YOUR STORY
Make sure your mini saga is your own work and is no more than 100 words, not including the title.
2. ADD YOUR DETAILS
Make sure the information requested on the entry form is complete.
3. SEND IT IN
Submit your entry before the contest closing date and your mini saga is officially in!
READY FOR CAMP SCARE?
Send us your story and show us just how spooky your imagination can get.
OR
OR
MAIL
Mail your entry, along with your name and full address, to:
Young Writers Camp Scare
77 Walnut Street
Unit 11
Peabody, MA 01960
[Independent Rules] =>
YOUR STORY
• Your mini saga must be your own work.
• Your mini saga can be written on the entry form, on a separate sheet of paper, or typed.
• The word limit is 100 words, not including the title, but your story can be shorter.
YOUR ENTRY
• Include your name and age on your entry.
• First names only or initials can be used if needed.
• There is one entry per person.
GOOD TO KNOW
• Free to enter.
• No purchase is necessary to win.
• Open to US entrants only.
• Copyright remains with the author.
[Independent Prizes] =>
5 WINNING WRITERS
A fantastic creative writing goody bag each
Become a published author
Our 5 favorite published writers will each win a fantastic creative writing goody bag.
Every entrant receives stickers
Everyone who enters will receive a set of Camp Scare stickers for taking part.
Celebrate getting published
Every writer whose story we'd love to publish will receive a Certificate of Merit.
Winners will be chosen from entries received Sept-Nov 2026, and independent entrants are eligible to win. No purchase necessary.
Goody bag image is an example; contents may vary.
[Meta Title] => Camp Scare: Free Writing Contest for Elementary Students
[Meta Description] => Inspire students to write a spooky 100-word mini saga with Camp Scare, a free creative writing contest for US elementary students.
[Meta Keywords] => elementary writing contest, creative writing contest for kids, student writing contest, short story contest for kids, 100 word story contest, free writing contest, Young Writers USA
[Share Title] => What Will Happen at Camp Scare?
[Share Description] => Monsters, mysteries, strange creatures, and things that go bump in the night. Inspire young writers to create a 100-word Camp Scare adventure.
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[Category] => Elementary
[Type] => creative-writing
[Country] => USA
[Resource Hub Text] =>
[Letters Sent Date] => 2027-02-12
[Letters Sent Satus] => ⏳ Coming Soon
[Books Published Start Date] => 2027-01-29
[Books Published End Date] => 2027-04-30
[Books Published Status] => ⏳ Coming Soon
[Winners Announced Date] => 2027-05-28
[Winners Announced Status] => ⏳ Coming Soon
[How to Enter Image] =>
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[date_created] => 2026-08-12 19:42:58
[last_updated] => 2026-11-09 09:21:33
[sort_order] => 3
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