Brave Writer Summer Camp
Grow writers and thinkers with Brave Writer! #
Ever wondered how our program works, or what makes Brave Writer unique in the world of education and homeschooling?
Would you like to learn how to teach writing in a way that feels natural and friendly to children?
Want your child to become a critical thinker?
Each summer, we host an event we affectionately call "Summer Camp." We offer webinars to parents to give them an inside look at how our program works, and what you can do to be successful using it!
Summer Camp is July 22-23, 2026!
- The first day is for you (with a few activities thrown in for your kids).
- The second day is dedicated to your kiddos (with you eavesdropping in the background).
Our two-day camp is packed with useful information and surprises
- Details about each of our programs (the curriculum, online classes, and membership community)
- Strategies to incorporate Brave Writer into your homeschool or afterschool learning experiences
- A special set of webinars on Day Two for your kids to experience how we teach!
FREE WEBINARS #
Registration Details #
Summer Camp Day One #
July 22, 2026
Sessions run from 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Eastern Time
Join us for a full day of insightful webinars to inspire you and provide practical tips you can use right away. Get an inside look at how our program works and what you can do to be successful using it! [Join for all or part of the day]
Summer Camp Day Two #
Jul 23, 2026
Sessions run from 1:00 - 4:00 PM Eastern Time
Grab your kids and join us for a language "field day" full of fun, engaging activities! Whether they're an aspiring author or a reluctant writer, there will be something for everyone. [Join for all or part of the day]
SESSION DETAILS #
How you doin’? Did you notice our 90s-themed Summer Camp image? It may have inspired some 90s lingo in our session descriptions below. We do love a theme around here. 😄
All times are Eastern Time
Day 1: Wednesday, July 22 #
11:00–11:45 AM
- Only Connect—The Power of Partnership in Homeschooling, Booyah!Homeschooling is all about relationships—between you and your kids, between your kids and what they’re learning and their relationship to their own way of learning. Join Julie Bogart to kick off your year!
12:00–12:25 PM
How Brave Writer Actually Works (Cue the "Aha" Moments)
Brave Writer has a totally unique approach to teaching writing. In this session, you'll get the 411 on how we approach writing the way real writers actually write. Hint: it’s not with worksheets and red-pen corrections. Dawn Smith will walk you through the Brave Writer philosophy, from grammar to original writing. At the end, you'll understand why it works and how it can transform the way your kids feel about writing. Show me the money!
12:30–12:55 PM
Planning Jam in a Jiffy: Bring the Pieces of Brave Writer Together
No doubt you've wondered how to fit it all in. Between freewriting, copywork, writing projects, and all the other elements to create a language-rich life, it's easy to feel like you need to use everything all the time. Dawn Smith will walk you through how to work with all the pieces of Brave Writer to curate a writing program that fits your unique kid. She’ll leave you totally psyched to plan!
1:00-1:45 PM
Read Aloud Time with Melissa Wiley!
Round up the kids and bring them to this engaging session. Melissa is back to enchant us with her favorite read-alouds. Sweet!
2:00–2:25 PM
Growing Real Communicators in the Age of AI
Some of the richest language learning happens over breakfast, in the car, or mid-argument about who ate the last cookie. (We see you keeping the peace!) In a world where AI can finish your sentences, your kids need to find their own voice. Join Dawn Smith to learn why Big Juicy Conversations and oral language skills are part of the primo AI-proof-kid kit. You'll discover how everyday conversations with your kids build the thinking, listening, and speaking muscles no chatbot can replace.
2:30-2:55 PM
High School by Design: Keep Connection at the Heart of Your Homeschool
Brave Writer brings flexibility to your busy lifestyle, allowing you to prioritize family connection while checking off graduation and college readiness task boxes. Cha-ching! Join Kirsten Merryman to discover how. Use our curriculum to embrace an unconventional high school experience that fits your teen's unique personality and goals.
3:00-3:25 PM
Bridging the Gap between Connected Learning and Official Requirements
Does homeschooling make you feel you need to speak fluent "educationese"? Kirsten Merryman is ready to teach you how to you connect everyday learning and the Brave Writer lifestyle to academic standards for reporting or record keeping. We'll show you how Brave Writer is a complete language arts curriculum that meets state and college requirements—all that and a bag of chips!
3:30-3:55 PM
Q & A Session
Got questions about Brave Writer’s curriculum, online classes, or the Brave Learner Home community? Bring them all to this live session with Dawn and Kirsten, where we’ll clear up the confusion and show you how to make your homeschool experience da bomb!
Day 2: Thursday, July 23 #
1:00–1:45 PM
Critical Thinking in the Crib: How to Think Well across the Curriculum!
[Kids and Parents Session]
Your home is the best place to teach critical thinking, and you can do it in every subject area. Join Julie to understand how critical thinking is critical to a great education.
2:00–2:25 PM
Rainbow Round Robin: A Group Storytelling Experience
[Kids Session]
One story means one storyteller, right? As if! In this colorful writing adventure, we’ll team up to create a totally rad story, one sentence at a time. Will it be hilarious? Mysterious? Outrageously silly? You’ll find out when you join Kim Misra for this collaborative writing adventure.
2:30-2:55 PM
Media Detectives: Unlocking the Secret Messages in PSAs
[Kids and Teens Session]
Grab your detective gear and get ready to look behind the scenes of media clips to see what they are actually trying to tell you. In this session facilitated by Kirsten Merryman, you’ll learn how to spot hidden biases, uncover your own reactions, and become a pro at figuring out if content is legit or totally bogus!
3:00-3:25 PM
Let’s Get Jiggy with Grammar
[Kids Session]
Calling all young writers! Join Dawn Smith to discover how a few wild little words—verbs and adverbs—can turn "she walked" into "she stomped funkily" or "she tiptoed jauntily.” We'll play with verbs and adverbs to flex our writing muscles and prove that grammar can actually be, dare we say, off the hook. You’ll leave with new words in your toolkit and a few tricks for making your own writing leap triumphantly off the page.
3:30-3:55 PM
Crafting Your Story: A Minecraft Writing Adventure
[Kids and Teens Session]
Heft your pickaxe and get ready to transform your favorite gaming world into an original block-busting story. In this session with Kirsten Merryman, you’ll learn how to channel your Minecraft adventures into original writing. No zombies invited, duh!
Frequently Asked Questions #
How do I sign up to attend? #
Sign up once for Day 1 meetings to gain access to any and all meetings throughout the day. Sign up separately for Day 2. Pop in and out of the meetings at will!
Do I register for webinars individually? #
All webinars on a particular day will use the same link. We'll restart the webinar and record at the beginning of each session. Participants will leave and reenter.
Do I need to be a member of Brave Learner Home to attend? #
No. Summer Camp is open to everyone!
What is the cost to attend? #
Brave Writer 2026 Summer Camp is free!
Do I have to attend all sessions? #
No. Attend the webinars that interest you.
Will there be replays? #
Replay links will be posted here and on the Brave Writer YouTube channel.
How soon after the event will the replays be available? #
Approximately 48 hours after Summer Camp ends.
What age should my kids be to participate in kids' sessions? #
No matter their age, if your kids are jazzed by the topic, invite them to join! Non-typers can use a handy parent to type as they speak their writing aloud.
