CELEBRATION OF YOUNG WRITERS
GRADES K-12
ASAP!’s 20th Annual Celebration of Young Writers empowers students to share their love of writing with the world. Public, private, and homeschooled students from across Connecticut are invited to submit for a chance to be recognized for their outstanding work and read their pieces in front of a live audience. The Celebration of Young Writers stage is a place where student voices are amplified, and their passion for writing can be shared with the world.
Written pieces will be selected through a blind judging process by a panel of literary professionals. Selected students will present their pieces at the ASAP! Celebrates Possibilities event on May 31, 2025, in Washington, CT. Selected works will also be published on the ASAP! website. One writer will be chosen to receive the The Jean Farley Levy Award for Excellence in Writing.
Celebration of Young Writers was inspired by ASAP!’s objective to foster children’s creativity and imagination in the literary arts. It was established with the help of Ellen and Frank McCourt, Ann and Denis Leary, and Susanna Salk.
CELEBRATION OF YOUNG WRITERS, 2025 TOP SELECTED PIECES
WHERE
Spring Hill Vineyards
292 Bee Brook Road, New Preston, CT, 06777
WHEN
May 31, 2025
2:00-4:30pm dress rehearsal, 5:30-8:00pm event
COST
Two free tickets for selected young writers
ASAP!’s 20th Annual Celebration of Young Writers is made possible in part by The Rea Award for the Short Story: reaaward.org, and:
CELEBRATION OF YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHERS
SUBMISSIONS OPEN!
Grades 6-12 submit before 9/26
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SUMMER CAMP
GRADES 1-6
Join us at Rumsey Hall School for ASAP! Summer Camp 2025! Our camp is a unique opportunity for children in grades 1-6 to build friendships, get creative, and discover new interests. This year, we’re thrilled to offer drama, illustration, tie-dye, percussion, cooking, dance, jewelry-making, rock climbing, nature adventures, athletics, and some exciting surprises we can’t wait to reveal!
ASAP! Summer Camp is an unforgettable experience and a chance for campers to develop valuable social and creative skills that will benefit them for years to come.
Transportation: Bus transportation will be provided from select towns. View the bus schedule.
Lunch: Campers must provide their own nut free lunch. A healthful snack will be provided daily.
Health Form: Must be submitted by June 30. View/fill out the health form.
WHERE
Rumsey Hall School
201 Romford Road, Washington Depot, CT
WHEN
August 3-14, 2026
Monday-Friday, 9:00am-3:30pm
COST
$900
Financial aid available to registrants. Apply here by June 1
Cancellation Policy: Full tuition reimbursement will be given for cancellations before June 1, 2025. 50% tuition reimbursement will be given for cancellations between June 1 and June 30, 2025. We are unable to reimburse tuition for cancellations received on or after July 1, 2025.
ASAP! SUMMER CAMP 2024 SLIDESHOW
ASAP! Summer Camp 2025 is made possible in part by the Diebold Foundation, Inc., Eversource, the Northwest Community Bank Foundation, the Sue Strisik Grossman Fund, the Towns of Bridgewater, Roxbury, and Washington, the Union Savings Bank Foundation, the Washington Scholarship Fund, the Watts Fund, and:
