Berkshires Writer's Adventure

Experience the Literary Magic of the Berkshires

Get inspired and write in the serene and majestic Berkshires and surrounding area where so many famous authors created their own literary masterpieces. Anchored at Amherst College, this Writer's Adventure features visits to some literary gems and ample time to write.

The Berkshires Writer's Adventure includes the study of the technique and key texts of local authors combined with an abundance of focused writing time to create original works. Experiential and fun, this program is crafted to sharpen skills, cultivate imagination, and spur creation.

In addition to visits to Amherst writers' haunts, students will travel to and write at places like The Mount, Edith Wharton's famed estate, and Arrowhead, the home of Herman Melville. And, of course, there will be time for hang outs with new friends and summer fun too!

Explore the locale where William Cullen Bryant, Robert Frost, Edith Wharton, W.E.B. Du Bois, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville, and others lived and worked!

Students get a glimpse into the lives and the creative processes of these literary heroes, sparking inspiration and igniting imagination. The hideaways and homes of famed writers, filled with personal artifacts and stories, create a connection that transcends time.

Generous Time for Writing

Talented mentors and the supportive atmosphere of the Berkshire's Writer's Adventure encourage students to cultivate their voices and ideas. Creativity abounds as students take advantage of the tranquil setting and plentiful time for writing each day.

As students tour and write in these special spaces, they feel a sense of possibility, realizing that their own stories are waiting to be told.

Sample Schedule

• 8 : 30 am – Breakfast
• 9 : 00 am – Morning Meeting
• 9 : 15 am – Seminar & Writing : Portraying Everyday Life : Melville's Complexity
• 10 : 00 am – Break
• 10 : 15 am – Seminar & Writing : Portraying Everyday Life : Wharton's Simplicity
• 11 : 15 am – Structured Writing Exercises
• 12 : 15 pm – Lunch
• 1 : 00 pm – Travel
• 2 : 15 pm – Explore The Mount, home of Edith Wharton
• 3 : 45 pm – Free Write at The Mount
• 5 : 00 pm – Break
• 5 : 15 pm – Dinner
• 6 : 00 pm – Live Reading on Location
• 6 : 45 pm – Travel
• 8 : 00 pm – Evening Social Activities
• 9 : 30 pm – Pod Meeting & Hangout
• Enjoy ample time for focused writing in tranquil settings
• Get out of the classroom and get inspired by the same environs as renowned classic authors
• Delight in experiential learning of writing techniques
• Live and write in a supportive writer's community
• Develop voice as a writer

Join Us to Write!

A great addition to Writer's Workshop or a wonderful standalone program, the Berkshire Writer's Adventure is an exciting opportunity to deepen writing skills in a fun and supportive program.

On The Campuses Of : Amherst College

Great Books Summer Program is thrilled to return to Amherst College for our 24rd year! Amherst is located in western Massachusetts, close to the beautiful Berkshires. Here, on the paths that Emily Dickinson once walked and on the lawns where Robert Frost once taught, Great Books students are guests in a campus rich with literary […]

Amherst College

Great Books Summer Program is thrilled to return to Amherst College for our 24rd year! Amherst is located in western Massachusetts, close to the beautiful Berkshires. Here, on the paths that Emily Dickinson once walked and on the lawns where Robert Frost once taught, Great Books students are guests in a campus rich with literary […] Learn More

The Great Books Summer Program is independent of Amherst College, Stanford University, Pepperdine University, Haverford College, University of Oxford, and Trinity College of Dublin. All names are trademarks of their respective owners. Great Books Summer Program and Great Books Global Forum are trademarks of Great Books Summer Program. This program does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national or ethnic origin, or disability. Admission to the program is limited and shall be granted or denied at the sole discretion of the program administrators. For the program on the campus of Amherst, the camp must comply with regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and be licensed by the local board of health. Images of Amherst College courtesy of Amherst College Public Affairs office.

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