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Postcards from Summer Camp Contest

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The sound of a screen door slam. Hot, moonlit nights. Exceptionally awful food. 

Summer camp is a setting that evokes heightened emotion. With that in mind, we invite you to submit a story about summer camp—with a twist. 

In 101 words or fewer, tell us about a fictional summer camp by writing a postcard home. Fantastical or realistic, hilarious or harrowing, anything goes, as long as it paints an engrossing or entertaining picture. Submit the postcard to our contest. Entry is free. Winner gets a free Gotham class.  

Here are some examples, to get your gears turning:  

Mom,
Time Travel Camp is great! First day was rough, but the second first day was much better. I already got my badge in Paradoxes, my favorite and least-favorite class. My counselor is really nice. I thought this one kid was gonna get sent home for trying to kill Hitler, but they just made him help organize the craft hut ‘cause his heart was in the right place. Can’t wait to see you — oh, right, I don’t have to!
Love,
Cooper
PS: I’ll need some pink lotion stuff? I get lots of mosquito bites tomorrow. Which was yesterday. I think?

-Justin Street

Dear Susie,
You'll never believe who's in the bunk next to mine. Ella, from soccer! Apparently her manners are horrible too. But we're rebelling. I ate with my elbows on the table at dinner and lost my free swim privileges. DON'T CARE! This place sucks. Tell mom and dad to send snacks. Messy snacks.
Sincerely,
Sandy
P.S. OMG I can spell sincerely right without even trying...maybe manners camp is working after all...

-Stuart Pennebaker

Hey Mom (if you really ARE my mom),
Whyyyyy on Middle Earth did you send me to George RR Martin Camp instead of Tolkien Camp?!
My bunkmate hatched three large birds under her bed, I got exiled to the Mess Hall of Faces for "fraternizing with enemy campers", and our cabin was ambushed by Team White(walkers) during Color War.
The worst part: They only have one breakfast!
Biologically yours (hopefully),
Sophie of House Smith, Lady of the Berkshires  
PS: I think my bunkmate is trying to poison me for political treason, whatever that means. Can you send extra epi pens?  

-Sam Dunne

The contest is currently closed.

The Details: 

  • Entries must be submitted online by 11:59 pm Eastern Time, Friday, August 30, 2024.
  • Entry is free. Limit one entry per person.
  • Entry must consist of no more than 101 words. Longer entries will be disregarded. 
  • Entry must be original and unpublished.
  • Entries will be judged on originality, quality, spelling, and grammar.
  • Gotham will post the winning entry at GothamWriters.com.
  • The winner will be notified by mid-September.
  • Winner receives a free Gotham class of their choosing, excluding any premium classes (Zoetrope Fiction, Business Writing, Level III)