Camp Scare
Creative Writing Contest
Ideal for 6-13 years
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rules
To make sure your entries are valid, please follow the rules listed below:
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.
If you are unsure on any rules or have any queries, please don't hesitate to Contact Us.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Goody bag image is an example; contents may vary.