Summer 2026
Independent Study
Create your own experience with our Independent Study Journey. Meet as a pair, attend events of interest, and use coursework to help you plan creative projects and meet your goals.
Ready to Apply?
Learn more below or get started now. If you do not already have a Girls Write Now Portal account, you will be asked to create one in order to apply.
Apply Now
Ready to Apply?
Learn more below or get started now. If you do not already have a Girls Write Now Portal account, you will be asked to create one in order to apply.
- JOURNEY REQUIREMENTS
- Cycle(s) One cycle (July 1 to September 30).
- Time Commitment A minimum of three hours per month.
- Journey Meetings Attend Independent Study Showcase. See date listed below.
- Mentoring Have a minimum of two one-hour pair sessions per month.
- Journey Project Present Independent Study project at the showcase.
Learning Objectives
Independent Study Community Experiences
Please attend at least one Girls Write Now Community Experience each month. You can find upcoming events in your portal under the “Events” section.
Summer Cycle Independent Study Showcase:
Saturday, September 26, 2026 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM ET
Independent Study Courses
Independent Study
This self-paced Independent Study course will provide resources and tips for those working on creative project independently. You’ll learn how to create a focused study environment, set SMART goals, and use scheduling systems like calendars and reminders. Topics include time management, tracking progress, managing distractions, and overcoming procrastination. Students will also develop essential academic skills such as critical reading, annotation, and note-taking, supported by strategies for reflection and visualization.
Independent Study Mentoring
Mentees and mentors in this Journey will be matched for one cycle. Pairs will meet for at least two hour-long sessions each month. This Journey is open to both mentor-mentee pairs and peer-to-peer pairs.
Explore 360
Journeys in the Explore 360 Adventure focus on introducing a variety of genres, topics, and ideas to participants who want to try a little bit of everything. It is recommended for any mentee or mentor who wants to get a taste of all that Girls Write Now has to offer!
Independent Study is a Journey in the Explore 360 Adventure.
Explore All Journeys
Explore All Journeys
Teach GWN (Summer 2025)
In this journey, members of the GWN community will develop curriculum and facilitate a community studio for one or more cycles within GWN’s Collaboratory structure. Each cycle involves facilitating three community studios, one per month. Participants will gain valuable skills in leadership, teaching, and community building. Mentees and mentors can facilitate a community studio either solo (if they are 18 or older) or together as a pair.
On-Demand Mentoring Sessions
On-Demand Mentoring sessions are available for young writers who would like support or advice on a specific topic. These sessions are offered for Career Development, College Preparation, Creative Writing, or Wellness.
Independent Study (Summer 2025)
Create your own experience with our Independent Study Journey. Meet as a pair, attend events of interest, and use coursework to help you plan creative projects and meet your goals.
Community Togetherness (Summer 2025)
Come together in this wellness-focused Journey based in collaborative writing prompts and support for one another.
Explore Tour (Summer 2025)
Explore all of the topics that Girls Write Now has to offer with mini courses, exploratory studios, and one-on-one pair sessions. Discover new skills and build on existing ones with courses and experiences that touch on a range of topics from horror writing to journalism to publishing and much more!
Civil Discourse: Connection & Persuasion (Summer 2025)
Our words can change minds and the world. Discover what you can do with yours… Mentees will learn how to persuade audiences on issues that matter to them. By the end of the journey, they will not only gain confidence in self-expression and analytical thinking but also develop and deliver a final speech that showcases their growth in civil discourse and persuasive communication.
Aloud: Songwriting & Spoken Word (Summer 2025)
Mic check! Enhance the power of your words by speaking or singing them aloud. In this journey, we’ll examine a variety of ways to share creative work using our voices and audio techniques with open mic events, podcasts, and songwriting.
Multimedia Tour (Summer 2025)
Explore all of the topics that Girls Write Now has to offer with mini courses, exploratory studios, and one-on-one pair sessions. Discover new skills and build on existing ones with courses and experiences that touch on a range of topics from horror writing to journalism to publishing and much more! Ideal for mentees who enjoy working across multiple genres or are focused on specific projects, this journey offers the flexibility to tailor your learning experience to your individual needs. With a focus on adaptability, this program allows you to balance exploration with dedicated time for your independent projects, providing a comprehensive yet customizable Journey. Great for mentees who are not committed to one medium or who enjoy working in multiple mediums at once.
Lead Community Change (Fall 2024-Spring 2025)
Lead Community Change is a dynamic two-cycle journey that harnesses the transformative power of storytelling to drive social impact. Mentees in this initiative will unleash their creativity to develop innovative projects that make a meaningful difference in their local communities, all while being supported by Girls Write Now’s rich storytelling resources. This journey is designed for aspiring young leaders and activists who are eager to create and implement impactful community-based social activism projects. With a personalized approach, we tailor our support to meet the unique needs of each initiative, empowering participants to bring their visions to life and inspire change in their communities.
The Lead Incubator (Fall 2024-Spring 2025)
The Lead Incubator is a crucial extension of the Lead Community Change journey, offering mentees the space, resources, and support needed to implement their project plans and drive meaningful change in their communities. It acts as a dynamic platform where they can turn their ideas into action. Mentees participating in the Lead Incubator focus on advancing their community-based social activism projects with the support of their mentors and Girls Write Now’s resources. They will take on leadership roles, facilitate a community studio, and develop an episode of the Lead Podcast, interviewing an expert relevant to their project’s cause.
