About Write Out

Write Out is a free two-week celebration of writing, making, and sharing inspired by the great outdoors. It is a public invitation to get out and create that is supported with a series of online activities, made especially for educators, students, and families, to explore national parks and other public spaces. The goal is to connect and learn through place-based writing and sharing using the common hashtag #writeout. 

Write Out runs every October and includes Indigenous People’s Day and the National Day on Writing. Themes change year-to-year and overlap with the monthly themes of the National Park Service.

Write Out is sponsored by the National Writing Project and the National Park Service.

Why Write Out?

As teachers and Park Service Rangers, we find that writing outside and in our communities gets the creative juices flowing, engages learners, and supports important connections. It is also fun! Write Out is designed by teachers and Park Rangers and utilizes robust resources as well as sound pedagogical strategies to support writers of all ages.

Write Out taps into the value of the outdoors in support of learning while also building on the importance of place-based writing and education. Research suggests that “experiences of nature boost academic learning, personal development, … environmental stewardship” (Kuo et al., 2019), health, and well-being (White et al., 2019). According to the Nebraska Writing Project, “young writers, in connecting to their own place and community, gain an understanding of who they are in their place, a better knowledge of the local history, culture, and geography, while learning to apply writing concepts … to an awareness of interdependence and interconnection in place and in writing.”

Write Out surfaces the opportunity to engage connected literacy and civic engagement in public spaces, both on and offline. By encouraging writing in communities alongside the mentorship of teachers, Park Rangers, parents, and community leaders, Write Out supports engagement with extended communities through local interests, caring relationships, and networked opportunities (Mirra, 2018; Connected Learning Alliance).

Write Out on Socials

Using and following the hashtag #writeout on most social media platforms will connect you with a growing community around this event and beyond.

You can also connect with us via the Write Out Group in the NWP Write Now Teacher Studio.


Write Out grows out of an existing Cooperative Agreement between the National Writing Project and the National Park Service. Please email us with any questions about Write Out or the partnership.