Fighting Words Summer Camps 2026: Schedule and Information
Our summer camp bookings are now closed for 2026.
We are not in a position to accept new applications.
Our fun and FREE summer programmes are back at our Dublin centre this July and August!
Fighting Words summer camps offer fantastic opportunities to get creative! Would you like to explore your imagination through stories, comics, plays or songs? Apply for a place today!
Our camps this year will be offered to three age groups: 8-10 years, 11-13 years and 14-17 years. All camps are completely free of charge.
As always, our camps are highly participatory and a lot of fun. Come and get creative with us this summer!
Application Deadline: 5pm on Monday, 4 May - apply today!
IMPORTANT - Parents/Guardians, please remember:
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Submitting an application form does not guarantee a place. Places are allocated by lottery.
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Parents/guardians who have applied for a place will be advised no later than Wednesday, 13 May.
Schedule and Information
Days and Times
- Camp for 8-10 years runs over three days from 10am to 3pm
- Camps for 11-13 years and 14-17 years run over four days from 10am to 3pm
Location
Except where noted, camps take place at the Fighting Words centre at Behan Square, 12-16 Russell Street, Dublin 1 D01 WD53
- Fiction & Poetry for 8-10 Years will take place at the Carmelite Community Centre, Aungier Street, Dublin 2, D02 T258
- Creative Summer Camp for LGBTQIA+ Youth will take place at Pearse Street Library,139-144 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, D02 HE37
July 2026
- June 29 - July 1: Puppetry and Playwriting, 8-10 years: Create new short plays and fun puppets with plenty of fun and games included!
- July 6 - July 9: Playwriting, 14-17 years: Work with experienced scriptwriters and theatre practitioners to begin developing a script, devising characters and exploring stage craft.
- July 13 - 16: Songwriting, 14-17 years: Create your own song (or songs!). We will discuss and explore various types of songs and approaches to songwriting with plenty of help and advice. No musical instrument required – the focus is on writing.
- July 20 - 23: Scríbhneoireacht Fhicsin as Gaeilge/Creative Writing through Irish, 11-13 bliana d'aois: Foghlaim gnéithe de scríbhneoireacht fhicsin le scríbhneoirí cleachtaithe trí spriocanna agus gníomhaíochtaí agus faigh comhairle ar do chuid scríbhneoireachta cruthaitheach féin - trí Ghaeilge!
- July 27 - July 30 Creative Writing with Dungeons & Dragons, 11-13 years: Create stories and build a fantasy world through Dungeons & Dragons! No previous experience with D&D is required.
August 2026
- August 4 - 6: Fiction & Poetry, 8-10 years: Explore aspects of writing fiction and poetry with experienced writers and create your own stories and poems! PLEASE NOTE - This camp is at Carmelite Community Centre, Dublin 2.
- August 10 - 13: Comic Book Creating, 11-13 years: Create your own comic book with a team of artists and illustrators. No drawing experience required, only imagination!
- August 10 - 13: Creative Summer Camp for LBGTQIA+ Youth, 15-18 years: Join us for four days of writing, illustrating, and more as we produce a zine of creative work! PLEASE NOTE - This camp is at Pearse Street Library, Dublin 2.
- August 17 - 20: Animation, 14-17 years: Write and create animated shorts in small teams with animators from Animation Ireland.
Apply Today!
Application Deadline: 5pm on Monday, 4 May 2026 (Bank Holiday Monday)
You'll receive an onscreen notification of a successful application. Don't panic - our system does not generate email confirmations.
Important Terms and Conditions for All Camps – Please Read Carefully
- Apply for a place for your child by submitting the online application form - DO NOT EMAIL US TO APPLY.
- Submitting an application form does not guarantee a place.
- You will see an onscreen notification of a successful application - our system does not generate email notifications.
- Places will be allocated using a lottery system.
- If your child is currently in sixth class, please list the name of the secondary school they will be attending (if known).
- Please note that applications from children and young people from DEIS schools will be given priority.
- Age ranges: due to high demand for places, we are very strict regarding the age ranges for each camp.
- Application forms for children who are outside the stated age ranges will NOT be considered.
- In the case of siblings, please use separate application forms for each child.
- Please note that due to high demand and limited numbers, children are only permitted to attend one camp.
- If your child receives a place, please confirm it as soon as possible.
- Failure to confirm a place may result in the loss of the place and a reallocation of the place to a child on the wait list.
Our Team
- All camps are delivered by experienced writers/artists and Fighting Words staff and volunteer writing mentors, plus special guest speakers.
- Our staff, workshop facilitators and volunteer mentors are trained in our child protection procedures and are Garda vetted.
Publication of Work
Fighting Words publishes work from each participant or group of participants to celebrate their creativity and achievement.
Copyright of the work created at Fighting Words rests with the authors, with permission granted to Fighting Words to feature the creative work in any of their publications, promotional materials and websites.
Photography/Filming
We take photographs of our programmes in action for inclusion on our website, social media and other promotional materials about our work.
Please note that this is a requirement for participation except in exceptional circumstances.
Cancellation Policy
If your child is unable to attend a Fighting Words summer camp for any reason, please contact us as soon as possible. Any available places will be offered to children on the waiting list via lottery.
Just a Few More Things…
- All participants are expected to abide by the Fighting Words Positive Behaviour Policy.
- All camps are free of charge, but participants will need to bring a lunch and their own drinks.
