Summer of Survival Book Camp Series: The Maze Runner
In this one-week book camp, learners will explore The Maze Runner through discussion, creative challenges, and survival-based activities. This class is ideal for readers who enjoy fast-paced dystopian fiction and teamwork-driven stories.
Jami Gresh, M.Ed
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(12)
Rising Star
What's included
5 live meetings
5 in-class hoursAssignments
4+ hours per week. 1-2 throughout the classCertificate of Completion
includedClass Experience
US Grade 6 - 9
In this 5-day book camp, learners will explore The Maze Runner by James Dashner through guided discussion, creative thinking, and survival-based challenges. We'll focus on the novel’s fast-paced plot, the mystery of the maze, group dynamics, and themes of leadership, trust, and resilience. Each session centers around a key element of the story. We’ll start by unpacking the setting and the rules of the Glade, then dive into character relationships, problem-solving in high-stress situations, and the questions raised by the trials the Gladers face. Activities include survival scenario games, team-building exercises, short writing responses, and group discussions. Class sessions are live and interactive. I guide learners through structured discussion prompts, creative exercises, and problem-solving activities. Learners will work individually and in small groups as they engage with the material. Projects may include designing a maze escape plan, writing from a Glader’s perspective, or brainstorming leadership strategies under pressure. My teaching style is discussion-driven and student-focused. I use slides to highlight key points or visual references, but most of our time is spent working through ideas as a group. Learners are encouraged to speak up, ask questions, and reflect on the book’s challenges and themes. Learners should read The Maze Runner before or during camp. We will not be reading the novel in class, but all discussions and activities will build on key scenes and character arcs. Each session ends with a quick review or share-out related to the day’s topic. By the end of the week, learners will have developed a stronger understanding of the book’s themes and characters, along with greater confidence in discussing literature and participating in collaborative, creative work.
Learning Goals
Learners will analyze key themes in The Maze Runner, such as survival, leadership, and trust under pressure.Learners will engage in collaborative discussions and activities that explore character decisions, plot developments, and world-building.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created CurriculumStandards
Aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS)5 Lessons
over 1 WeekLesson 1:
Welcome to the Glade
Activities:
•Icebreaker: "If you woke up in the Glade with no memory, what’s the first thing you’d do?"
•Discussion: The setting of the Glade, the purpose of the Maze, and the roles of the Gladers.
•Creative Activity: Design a "Glader Identity"—learners create their own nickname, job role, and backstory as if they were part of the Glade.
•Wrap-Up: Share Glader identities and discuss how teamwork and roles help the Gladers survive. 60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Solving the Maze
Activities:
•Discussion: What makes the Maze such a challenging obstacle? How do the Runners map the Maze and look for patterns?
•Interactive Activity: "Maze Mastermind"—learners work together to solve a digital maze or design their own maze using problem-solving skills.
•Writing Challenge: Write a journal entry from the perspective of a Runner, describing a day in the Maze and the dangers they face. 60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Facing the Grievers
Activities:
•Discussion: How do the Grievers represent fear and the unknown? What strategies do the Gladers use to stay safe?
•Creative Project: Design your own creature for the Maze, considering how it might challenge the Gladers and what it represents in a dystopian world.
•Game: "Escape the Griever"—a story-based game where learners must make quick decisions to navigate a fictional maze and avoid danger. 60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
The Truth Revealed
Activities:
•Discussion: What is WICKED’s agenda? How do the characters respond to learning the truth?
•Problem Solving: "Decipher the Code"—learners work together to solve a puzzle or decode a message related to the Maze's exit strategy.
•Writing Activity: Create an alternate plan of escape, imagining what might have happened if the Gladers chose a different path. 60 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
This class is based on The Maze Runner by James Dashner, a dystopian novel that includes intense scenes, violence, and high-stress survival situations. While discussions will be age-appropriate and focused on character decisions and broader themes, families should be aware that the book contains moments that may be unsettling to sensitive readers.
Select images or brief clips from the PG-13 film adaptation may be shown to support visual understanding and discussion. All media used will be carefully chosen for classroom appropriateness.
No third-party accounts are required. Learners may view Google Slides or Google Docs during class via links provided by the teacher. Parents are encouraged to review the novel in advance to ensure it aligns with their learner's comfort level.
Pre-Requisites
Learners should have read The Maze Runner by James Dashner
Supply List
A personal copy of The Maze Runner by James Dashner (print or digital) Notebook or loose-leaf paper for writing activities Pen or pencil Optional: Colored pencils or markers for creative projects Access to Google Docs or Google Slides (no account required; links will be shared in class)
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Joined December, 2024
5.0
12reviews
Rising Star
Teacher expertise and credentials
I hold a Master’s degree in Education and dual Bachelor’s degrees in English and Communications. With over 20 years of teaching experience, I’ve worked with learners of all ages—from preschool through college—and have taught literature, writing, and critical thinking in both traditional and enrichment settings.
I’ve led middle school and high school book clubs, literature circles, and creative writing camps focused on engaging students with complex stories, especially within the dystopian and science fiction genres. The Maze Runner offers a fast-paced narrative that sparks thoughtful conversations about leadership, teamwork, and ethical decision-making—topics I’ve explored with learners in both classroom and camp formats.
My teaching style emphasizes connection, discussion, and student voice. I work to create a space where learners feel safe to share ideas, ask questions, and think deeply about the stories they read.Reviews
Live Group Course
$85
for 5 classes5x per week, 1 week
60 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-14
2-10 learners per class
