Apr. 10, 2018

Best Of Oakland and the East Bay 2018: Coolest New Writing Lab for Kids

By Julie Anderson

Who says that writing can't be fun? Certainly not Writopia Lab, a nonprofit that just started a Bay Area chapter. Like its name suggests, Writopia brings a playful even whimsical approach to writing where professional writers encourage students to find their voices by engaging them in creative exercises. Kids and teens in small, age-appropriate classes write stories, craft plays, compose poems, and generally express their own creative visions. The main classroom is a cozy, wood-paneled space in Rockridge with comfy, dark green swivel chairs and a marble-topped table, but workshops are offered as far afield as San Francisco, Campbell, and Walnut Creek. Prices for the 10-week workshops are on a sliding scale, and no one is turned away for lack of funds. Contact RegisterBayArea@writopialab.org for more information.

Cancellation Policy

If a child withdraws two weeks (or more) prior to the workshop start date, payment can be credited toward a future workshop at no cost, or refunded with a $50 cancellation fee. If withdrawal is requested within two weeks of the workshop start date, the same policy applies, as long as we are able to fill the spot. However, if we are unable to fill the spot, we cannot refund or credit the workshop.

About our Sliding Scale Tuition

Writopia Lab is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates with limited resources, relying heavily on support from the community to sustain our programs--over 85% of our funding comes from the community in the form of tuition. Because we know there are families who cannot pay the full tuition, we have created a sliding scale for our tuition. While we don't require supporting documents to demonstrate your financial hardship, we do ask that families pay as much as they can afford to pay; this is what enables us to offer our workshops to families in more difficult financial situations.

Writopia Lab's fees cover the expenses of running a workshop program and allow us to provide generous scholarships and flexible sliding scale fees. We will not be able to offer honor-based sliding scale discounts to those in need if those who can afford the fee choose to pay a discounted amount. If you wish to support Writopia Lab, please make a donation to help families afford our services.

Applying for a Scholarship

We never turn away a family because of their inability to pay. Writopia Lab offers need-based scholarships to many students. If you require additional tuition assistance beyond the sliding scale, please send your latest tax returns and a brief statement of need to financialaid@writopialab.org.

Can You Sponsor Another Writer?

We never turn away families because of their inability to pay for workshops; by sponsoring an additional student, you help us further our mission of fostering joy, literacy, and critical thinking in children and teens from all backgrounds through creative writing.

To do this, select “Sponsorship” in the tuition dropdown menu. This payment will cover your workshop fee and sponsor an additional young writer in need. Thank you!

Our Mission

Writopia Lab fosters joy, literacy, and critical thinking in children and teens from all backgrounds through creative writing.

We have never turned away a student whose family was unable to pay for workshops. Fifty percent of our students attend on either partial or full scholarships.

Learn more!