Summer Conferences

Young Historians' Conference 

History Off the Page: Making the Past Present 

Program Dates: July 14-17, 2026

Registration Closes: June 16, 2026 or when at capacity

Cost: $295.00 (including room and board); limited scholarships available 

Number of Young Historians: Space is limited - only 14 spots this year! 

The Young Historians' Conference gives high school students a backstage look into the many ways we make history — and a chance to make history themselves. This year's theme, History Off the Page: Making the Past Present, is an introduction to the many ways we can investigate history beyond the printed page. (But don't get us wrong — we still love books, too!)

Together with Washington College's Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience, you'll do hands-on work with original centuries-old archival documents and artifacts, conduct oral history interviews with civil rights activists, explore historic buildings and neighborhoods, and view the Chesapeake region's landscape from the deck of a boat. We'll travel to Washington, D.C., for behind-the-scenes tours at the Smithsonian and the Library of Congress. (Be prepared—this is a very fast-paced day with a lot of walking throughout the city.)

You'll have unique opportunities to learn from Washington College faculty mentors and nationally acclaimed authors, as well as history undergrads who are following their intellectual passions on an array of historical topics.  Throughout the program, you'll be living on the campus of the first American college established after the Revolutionary War, under the personal patronage of George Washington himself.

The Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience is housed in the original, colonial-era riverfront Custom House of Chestertown and features a Public Humanities Lab filled with state-of-the-art technology to create digital archives and exhibitions. Our interest in history goes far beyond our college's namesake. From Frederick Douglass to the Freedom Riders, Maryland's Eastern Shore is an ideal place to study four centuries of African American history, a topic of special focus at the Starr Center. No matter what your interest in history is, you will find a place in our community of young scholars. 

Register Here

Registration Information:

• The conference is limited to a maximum of 14 participants. Registrations are accepted on a rolling basis. Registration will close as soon as the program is full or on June 16, 2026.
• Please submit a 250-500 word statement describing your interest in the “History Off the Page” program. It doesn't need to be a formal essay — just tell us why you'd be excited to join!
• If you wish to be considered for one of the scholarships, you or your parent(s) or guardian(s) may also include a short statement describing any relevant circumstances. (Requesting a scholarship will not affect your chances of being admitted to the program.) We would ask you not to apply for a scholarship if you do not have financial need so that we can help all those students who would not be able to participate without a scholarship.

Registration Close Date: June 16, 2026

Conference Leaders: Adam Goodheart, Jaelon Moaney, and Vicki Barnett-Woods

One-Day Young Writers’ Studio

One-Day Young Writers’ Studio

Program Date: July 17, 2026

Registration Deadline: June 28, 2026

Cost: $125.00

Space is limited: 30 spots available on a first come, first served basis. (A waitlist will be opened when capacity is reached.)

The Young Writers’ Studio is designed to enrich the creative lives of high school students by providing a window to the dedicated writerly life—lending community, inspiration, and new skills to craft vibrant language. This one-day event includes generative creative writing workshops in fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction, a literature seminar from English department faculty, and culminates in a celebratory open mic where students can share the amazing work they’ve crafted throughout the day.

Hosted by the Rose O’Neill Literary House, Washington College’s home for the literary arts and creative expression, you’ll spend your day in the same rooms that have welcomed writers like Toni Morrison, Allen Ginsberg, Joyce Carol Oates, Tim O’Brien, Jericho Brown, and Natalie Diaz. In workshop, you’ll immerse yourself in contemporary literature and develop new techniques of expression with writers whose work has garnered national acclaim. You’ll also hear from expert faculty about new experiential approaches to studying classical literature here on our historic brick-paved campus near the edge of the Chester River.

For more info on workshops, see what our writing faculty have to say:

“The most potent potions come in small containers: poisons, for example, and antidotes, and flash fiction. In this fiction workshop, we’ll explore how the masters of flash are able to do so much with so little and apply their techniques to our own inimitable imagery and insights.” — Roy Kesey

“Poets can do it all: tell stories and sing lasting songs. In this generative poetry workshop, we’ll explore how imagery can enact story for emotional and dramatic effect. We’ll look at poems by Natasha Trethewey, Jericho Brown, and Elizabeth Bishop before writing our own.” — James Allen Hall

“In this generative creative nonfiction workshop, we’ll explore how to bring nature (and its tiny, unsung creatures) to life on the page with the use of imagery, detail-driven research, and the writer's ability to notice. We’ll read excerpts from Amy Leach, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, and Elena Passarello to help guide our own writing.” — Amber Taliancich

The day runs 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Lunch and refreshments are included with registration. Please reach out to conferences director Justin Nash at [email protected] with any questions.

REGISTER HERE

Registration closes: June 28, 2026

Environmental Science Conference Session 1

Bay Science and Solutions at Washington College 1

Presented by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) and hosted at Washington College in partnership with WC's Center for Environment and Society.

Program Dates: Sunday, June 28–Thursday, July 2, 2026

Length & Location: This five-day event is in-person and overnight, which includes tent camping in Delaware followed by dormitory-style housing at Washington College. CBF provides tents. All other necessary gear will be listed on the packing list. Please note, this course runs Sunday-Thursday.

Starting & Ending Points: Annapolis, MD

Registration Closes: Friday, May 22, 2026

Cost: $650

Open to rising 10th-12th graders in DC, DE, MD, PA, VA. Please note, although this course is open to students from across the watershed, this expedition will start and end in Maryland.

Join CBF Student Leadership and Washington College’s Center for Environment and Society (CES) for an elevated opportunity to experience and discover how science, innovation, and community-based solutions are being used to save the Bay! Located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland’s Chester River, Washington College’s CES provides a phenomenal setting for hands-on investigations of the methods scientists and researchers apply to study and restore ecosystems. Participants will have the opportunity to collect data alongside peers while kayaking, boating on a research vessel, exploring the Washington College River and Field Campus, and learning in state-of-the-art science labs. Participants have the option to receive a Washington College Environmental Science and Chesapeake Regional Studies credit that is transferable to other institutions at an additional cost. 

Due to high demand, this expedition is being offered for two sessions this summer (Session 2 is July 13-17. Pick which session best suits you.) 

More Details and Registration

Registration Closes: Friday, May 22, 2026

Environmental Science Conference Session 2

Bay Science and Solutions at Washington College 2

Presented by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) and hosted at Washington College in partnership with WC's Center for Environment and Society.

Program Dates: Monday, July 13–Friday, July 17, 2026

Length & Location: This five-day event is in-person and overnight, which includes tent camping in Delaware followed by dormitory-style housing at Washington College. CBF provides tents. All other necessary gear will be listed on the packing list. 

Starting & Ending Points: Annapolis, MD

Registration Closes: Friday, May 22, 2026

Cost: $650

Open to rising 10th-12th graders in DC, DE, MD, PA, VA. Please note, although this course is open to students from across the watershed, this expedition will start and end in Maryland.

Join CBF Student Leadership and Washington College’s Center for Environment and Society (CES) for an elevated opportunity to experience and discover how science, innovation, and community-based solutions are being used to save the Bay! Located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland’s Chester River, Washington College’s CES provides a phenomenal setting for hands-on investigations of the methods scientists and researchers apply to study and restore ecosystems. Participants will have the opportunity to collect data alongside peers while kayaking, boating on a research vessel, exploring the Washington College River and Field Campus, and learning in state-of-the-art science labs. Participants have the option to receive a Washington College Environmental Science and Chesapeake Regional Studies credit that is transferable to other institutions at an additional cost.

Due to high demand, this expedition is being offered for two sessions this summer. (Session 1 is June 28-July 2. Pick which session works best for you.) 

More Details and Registration

Registration Closes: Friday, May 22, 2026