Tell Your Story Through Zines
From comics and characters to stories, lists, maps, and fold-out surprises, zines give creators a place to explore ideas and share what matters to them.
What is a zine?
A zine (pronounced zeen) is a small handmade book.
Artists, writers, cartoonists, designers, and curious kids have been making zines for generations as a way to share ideas, tell stories, and create something from scratch.
Some zines are funny.
Some tell personal stories.
Some are filled with comics, drawings, lists, maps, or imaginary worlds.
There is no single "right" way to make a zine—and that's part of the magic.
During camp, students will learn several simple folding and bookmaking techniques, then fill their pages with their own ideas and artwork.
Every zine is different because every creator is different.
Explore → Shape → Share
-
Explore
Discover new prompts, techniques, and inspiration.
Students might create:
- comics
- character designs
- visual journals
- maps
- mini stories
- collections
- collaborative projects
-
Shape
Turn ideas into handmade books. Students will learn:
- folding techniques
- page design
- lettering
- collage
- illustration
- sequencing and storytelling
-
Share
Celebrate creativity with one another. Campers will have opportunities to:
- exchange ideas
- collaborate
- show favorite pages
- give and get feedback from their peers
- build confidence sharing their work
- participate in a zine fair
Who are zines for?
Zines are for anyone with something to share.
Some people use them to tell stories. Others fill them with drawings, comics, observations, collections, memories, questions, or ideas they can't quite express any other way.
You might enjoy zine-making if you:
- Love drawing or doodling
- Enjoy stories, comics, and books
- Keep lists, journals, or sketchbooks
- Like making things by hand
- Have ideas you'd like to explore
- Want a creative outlet without pressure or perfection
- Enjoy learning alongside other creative people
No previous experience is required.
You don't need to be an artist, writer, or even consider yourself particularly creative. All you need is curiosity, a willingness to experiment, and a desire to see where a blank sheet of paper might take you.
Zines vs. Art Camp
Many art camps focus on creating a finished project.
Zines focus on creating ideas.
Because zines combine art, storytelling, design, writing, and play, they allow students to explore many different creative interests at once.
One child may create a comic.
Another may invent creatures.
Another may design a guidebook, a collection of jokes, or a story about their favorite hobby.
Zines encourage experimentation, creativity, and personal voice.
Why Zines?
In a world filled with screens, zines offer something different: the opportunity to slow down, make something with your hands, and share a piece of yourself with others.
A blank sheet of paper can become a comic, a story, a collection, a joke book, a map, or an entirely new world.
When children make zines, they're not just learning how to fold paper into books. They're learning that their ideas are worth exploring, shaping, and sharing. They're making choices, solving problems, expressing ideas, and discovering their unique creative voice.
Along the way, they practice skills such as:
- Creative confidence
- Storytelling and communication
- Visual thinking
- Problem-solving
- Self-expression
- Collaboration and sharing ideas
- Turning imagination into something tangible
Most importantly, zines give children ownership over what they create. There are no templates to follow and no single "right answer." Each student leaves with a collection of books that could only have been made by them.
It can be the beginning of a lifelong creative practice.
Current Classes & Workshops
Zines: Make Your Own Mini Books (Grades 3-5)
August 10–14, 2026
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Hudson Valley Writers Center (300 Riverside Dr, Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591)
Perfect for younger creators who enjoy drawing, storytelling, and sharing ideas.
Students will use simple, playful prompts—favorite things, daily adventures, short stories, imaginative lists, and more—to fill their handmade books one page at a time.
Throughout the week, campers will learn several easy bookmaking techniques while building confidence in their creativity.
Best for: curious creators, reluctant writers, doodlers, readers, and kids who love making things.
---
Zines: DIY Storytelling & Art (Grades 5-8)
August 17–21, 2026
9am-4pm
Hudson Valley Writers Center (Sleepy Hollow, 300 Riverside Dr, Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591)
Perfect for older students who want more independence and creative freedom.
Campers will explore visual storytelling, illustration, comics, collage, and design while creating original zines using a variety of formats—from one-page folded books to multi-page booklets.
Students will develop ideas, experiment with different approaches, and create projects that reflect their unique interests and voices.
Best for: artists, writers, comic fans, creative thinkers, and middle school students looking for something different.
---
Secret Zines: Interactive Books & Hidden Surprises (Grades 3-5)
August 24–28, 2026
1pm-4pm
Hudson Valley Writers Center (300 Riverside Dr, Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591)
A camp for kids who love surprises.
Students will create handmade books filled with hidden flaps, fold-outs, secret messages, pockets, interactive elements, and unexpected discoveries.
Each day introduces a new way to transform paper into something playful and surprising.
By the end of the week, campers will leave with a collection of zines that invite readers to open, unfold, discover, and explore.
Best for: makers, inventors, puzzle lovers, curious minds, and kids who enjoy hands-on creativity.
Inside the Zine Studio
Students will build a growing collection of handmade zines while experimenting with a variety of creative approaches.
Inside the studio, participants might:
- Create comics
- Invent characters
- Design fold-out books
- Build imaginary worlds
- Make visual journals
- Experiment with collage
- Create collaborative projects
- Share ideas with fellow creators
- Fill a mini library with their own handmade books
Meet Your Instructor
Hi, I'm Erwin Ong, an illustrator, muralist, and teaching artist based in White Plains, New York.
Through my studio, A Duck Amuck, I create playful artwork inspired by imagination, storytelling, and connection. I've taught creative workshops for children, families, schools, libraries, community organizations, and arts centers throughout the region.
What I love most about zines is that they make creativity accessible. A single sheet of paper can become a story, a comic, a collection, a world, or an idea worth sharing.
My goal is to help young creators discover that their ideas matter—and that they already have everything they need to begin making something uniquely their own.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
For zine summer camp, is there enough to do for five days?
One of the best things about zines is that they can be almost anything: a comic, a story, a field guide, a visual journal, a collection of favorite things, an imaginary world, a book of jokes, a fold-out surprise, or something entirely unexpected.
Throughout the week, participants will experiment with different formats, prompts, and techniques while creating a growing library of handmade books. Most creators quickly discover that once they start making zines, ideas tend to multiply faster than pages.
My child likes writing but doesn't consider themselves an artist. Is this a good fit?
Yes! Zines combine words and images in many different ways, and there is no expectation that students create polished artwork. Each student will be given the option to explore low-stakes art-making, but artwork is not necessary to complete their zines.
My child likes drawing but doesn't like writing. Is this a good fit?
Absolutely. Zines can include drawings, comics, diagrams, maps, lists, collage, and visual storytelling. Students are encouraged to communicate ideas in whatever way feels most natural to them.
What should students bring?
All zine-making supplies and materials are included unless otherwise noted.
You will receive a separate notification about anything else that students should bring (e.g., snacks, water, an outer layer of clothing in case it gets cold, etc.).
Do students need art experience?
Not at all.
What if my child isn't confident in their drawing?
Zines welcome all skill levels. A desire to tell stories and share ideas matter far more than technical drawing ability.
Will students take work home?
Yes. Campers will leave with a collection of handmade zines they created throughout the week.
