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2026 Personal Retreats at Boyds Mills

Flexible Dates

Personal Retreats at Boyds Mills Please see more information about personal retreats here: https://thebarnatboydsmills.com/personal-retreats/  

2026 Personal Retreats Two Night Specials

Package Dates

Personal Retreats at at Boyds Mills Please see more information about personal retreats here: https://thebarnatboydsmills.com/personal-retreats/  

CR template / organization paying

January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2027

**Retreat Name**   Come join us at Boyds Mills for **a writing retreat**.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured, and a time to connect as a group.  The Boyds Mills campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and […]

CR template / individuals paying

January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2027

**Retreat Name**   Come join us at Boyds Mills for **a writing retreat**.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured, and a time to connect as a group.  The Boyds Mills campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and […]

Getting to Know Your Character with Sarah Aronson

May 15 - June 5, 2026

Just Do It Alumni Retreat

May 22 - 25, 2026

Come join us at Boyds Mills for Just Do It Alumni Retreat.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous sunsets as […]

The Unreliable Narrators Retreat

May 26 - 31, 2026

Come join us at Boyds Mills for a writing retreat. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group. Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous sunsets as the campus […]

Revise and Rise: A Retreat for Novelists

May 27 - 31, 2026

Join two seasoned authors and book coaches for an immersive retreat at Boyds Mills designed specifically for novelists seeking to refine their craft and elevate their storytelling. In this retreat, we will help you build a road map to demystify the revision process and sort through conflicting advice to polish your manuscript while remaining true […]

BSFW Goes to Highlights 2026

May 28 - 31, 2026

BSFW Goes to Highlights   Come join us at Boyds Mills for a retreat. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group. Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous […]

Community Retreat with Meg Medina: Celebrating Latinx Stories in Kidlit

May 31 - June 3, 2026

Educational Publishing 101: Navigating New Paths for Your Writing

June 2 - 4, 2026

All About Picture Books: A Retreat for Storytellers

June 3 - 6, 2026

The Crash Course in Children’s Book Publishing

June 3 - August 5, 2026

Getting to Know Your Character - Post Course Critique 2026

June 5 - 19, 2026

The cost for this optional critique is $125. Submit your novel’s first ten pages or one full picture book manuscript (up to 800 words). Please submit work as a .doc or .docx file that is double-spaced and in 12 pt Times New Roman (or similar) font. Submission is due on or before June 19, and you […]

Celebrating Carolyn Yoder & Calkins Creek Books

June 6 - 8, 2026

Options for joining us in celebrating Carolyn:   Retreat at the Boyds Mills campus Stay overnight anywhere from two to five nights! Celebratory dinner honoring Carolyn & Calkins Creek Books will take place on Sunday, June 7th; otherwise, the time is yours to use as you wish! You can choose to stay two nights and […]

Picture Book Middles: Bridging Beginning and End

June 8 - 10, 2026

Picture Book Plotting A-Z: Post-Course Critique by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen 2026

June 10 - 30, 2026

A Critique by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen After submitting your picture book manuscript (no more than 700 words), a private session will be scheduled via Zoom to review ideas, suggestions, and next steps. The cost for this optional feedback is $125, and the session will be scheduled within 4-6 weeks of submission deadline. Manuscripts should be submitted […]

Spotlight on the Middle of Your Novel: A Generative Retreat

June 11 - 14, 2026

Community Retreat with Stacy Wells and Cameron Mukwa: Celebrating Native and Indigenous Stories

June 15 - 18, 2026

Mad Woman Literary Agency Retreat

June 18 - 21, 2026

Mad Woman Literary Agency Retreat All clients of Mad Woman Literary Agency are welcome to attend a three-day retreat in person at Boyds Mills from June 18 - 21. This will be an opportunity to connect with one another, have quality writing time in a peaceful setting, and learn from each other in workshops specifically […]

Plotters Reunion and Retreat

June 21 - 26, 2026

Plotters Reunion and Retreat   Come join us at Boyds Mils for a writing retreat.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and […]

Crafting Kidlit Community

June 25 - 29, 2026

Crafting Kidlit Community   Come join us at Boyds Mills. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day. This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group. Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous sunsets as the campus […]

Writing for the Educational Market: A 6-Week Online Program

June 25 - July 30, 2026

Birth a Book Coach Retreat 2026

June 27 - July 1, 2026

Birth a Book Coach Retreat 2026   Come join us at Boyds Mills for Birth a Book Coach Retreat 2026.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for […]

Kent Johnson and Friends 2026

July 2 - 5, 2026

Jewish KidLit Maven Retreat

July 5 - 8, 2026

The Jewish KidLit Mavens retreat from July 5 to July 8 will be a time for Jewish writers to meet and create. There will be a getting-to-know-you activity on the first night. The mornings will have an optional writing prompt in the Lodge after breakfast. There will also be an optional pomodoro writing session in […]

Summer Camp for Writers and Illustrators: Session One!

July 8 - 12, 2026

Summer Camp For Writers And Illustrators: Session Two!

July 12 - 16, 2026

VCFA Writing for Children and Young Adults Alumnx Retreat

July 16 - 19, 2026

VCFA Writing for Children and Young Adults Alumnx Retreat   Come join us at Boyds Mills for a writing retreat.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group. Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for […]

WCSU MFA 2026 Summer Retreat

July 28 - August 2, 2026

Join us for WCSU MFA’s 2026 Summer Residency, located at Boyds Mills, near Honesdale, PA! The residency will feature morning and afternoon workshops, open mics, evening readings, as well as delicious and expertly prepared locally sourced meals. This residency will offer some peaceful time to reunite with friends, connect with new writers, and write, of […]

Chapter Books and Early Readers: Getting Started with Beginning Readers

July 28 - 30, 2026

Sera Rivers Client Retreat 2026

August 2 - 5, 2026

Sera Rivers Client Retreat   Come join us at Boyds Mills for a writing retreat. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and […]

River Writers Group

August 2 - 6, 2026

River Writers Group Come join us at Boyds Mills for a writing retreat. This long weekend is designed to allow you to focus on your writing and soak up the creativity granted to us through nature. There are no formal classes, but writers may organize a  workshop if desired. You may be as social as […]

Black Women Writers: A Retreat In Gratitude 2026

August 6 - 9, 2026

sis·ter·hood /ˈsistərˌho͝od/ 1: the feeling of kinship with and closeness to a group of women 2: a community of women linked by a common interest Dear Sisters, We are still so moved by the deep connections we made at the inaugural Black Women Writers’ Retreat last year. We are planning something special for 2026 and […]

The Writing Shorter Retreat: Why (and How) Less Can Be More

August 9 - 12, 2026

Graphic Novel Storytelling: Where Words Meet Pictures Meet Readers

August 11 - 13, 2026

Picture Book Essentials: A Two-Night Mini for Picture Book Writers

August 11 - 13, 2026

Welcome to Whole Novel Workshop: An In-Person Retreat for Novelists (August)

August 15 - 20, 2026

OVERVIEW: Congratulations on your acceptance into the Welcome to Whole Novel Workshop: An In-Person Retreat for Novelists (August)! This intensive, transformative Whole Novel Workshop offers writers the rare opportunity to have the entire draft (up to 85,000 words)* of a novel read by faculty, with detailed written feedback and two private consultations provided. Attention in […]

Building Your Plot: Structures and Strategies

August 18 - 20, 2026

Ignite Your Writing in the Educational Market! An In-Person Retreat for Children’s Writers

August 20 - 23, 2026

Register Now — Limited Space! Faculty: Sandra K. Athans, Mike Downs        Guest Editors: (see bios below) Katie Kawa, from Rosen Publishing Kathy Furgang, from Six Red Marbles Katharine Hale, from Red Line Editorial   In-person 4-Day/3-Night Custom Working Retreat The Educational Market is your GATEWAY to INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY! Let's START with the fact that […]

PJ Library Summer Retreat 2026

August 23 - 27, 2026

Welcome! We are thrilled to host you for the 2026 PJ Library Summer Retreat! This five day, in-person program is centered on creativity, inspiration, and our Jewish community with: opportunities for learning, feedback, and interaction ample self-paced time to make progress on a project, or play with your creativity support for Jewish themes and research […]

Community Retreat with Grace Lin and Debbi Michiko Florence (August 2026)

August 27 - 30, 2026

From Idea & Sketch to Dummy & Submission: An Author/Illustrator Online Course

September 2 - October 7, 2026

Jersey City Writers Retreat, Fall 2026

September 3 - 6, 2026

**Retreat Name**   Come join us at Boyds Mills for **a writing retreat**.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured, and a time to connect as a group.  The Boyds Mills campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and […]

2026 Penned by You Fall Writers Retreat

September 7 - 10, 2026

Come join us at Boyds Mills for a writing retreat.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  The Boyds Mills campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous sunsets, as the campus is surrounded by nature and woods.  This setting is sure to ignite your […]

Revision Roadmap with Editor Kat Brzozowski

September 9 - 30, 2026

An Inspired Life Retreat with Be & Breathe Studio

September 10 - 13, 2026

An Inspired Life Retreat with Be & Breathe Studio   Come join us at Boyds Mills for An Inspired Life Retreat with Be & Breathe Studio*.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  […]

Picture Book Authors and Illustrators: A Generative Retreat

September 16 - 19, 2026

The Pub Retreat 2026

September 19 - 25, 2026

The Pub Retreat 2026   Come join us at Boyds Mills. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day. This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous sunsets as the […]

Women At Woodstock Writer's Retreat

September 20 - 24, 2026

Women At Woodstock Writer's Retreat   Come join us at Boyds Mills for Women At Woodstock Writer's Retreat.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group. Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, […]

Just Do It! Your Collaborative Support Group for Finishing Your Draft (Fall)

September 23 - November 11, 2026

Wing Night 2026

September 24 - 26, 2026

Wing Night   Come join us at Boyds Mills for Wing Night. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous sunsets as […]

Splendid Mola Retreat for Writers

September 25 - 28, 2026

We look forward to welcoming you to Boyds Mills for Splendid Mola Retreat for Writers.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and […]

Middle Grade Writers: A Generative Retreat

October 1 - 4, 2026

Whole Novel Workshop: A Virtual Course for Middle Grade and Young Adult Writers (Fall)

October 6 - December 1, 2026

OVERVIEW: Congratulations on your acceptance into the Whole Novel Workshop: A Virtual Course for Middle Grade and Young Adult Writers (Fall)! This intensive, transformative Whole Novel Workshop offers writers the rare opportunity to have the entire draft (up to 85,000 words)* of a novel read by faculty, with detailed written feedback and a private consultation […]

Revising Your Novel in Verse: An Online Course

October 7 - November 18, 2026

Prospect Agency Fall Retreat 2026

October 9 - 11, 2026

Prospect Agency Fall Retreat   Come join us at Boyds Mills for our Fall 2026 two-night retreat. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day and night.  This retreat will be low-key and a time to connect as a group.  Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird […]

South Asian Storytellers Retreat

October 11 - 14, 2026

South Asian Storytellers Retreat   Come join us at Boyds Mills for the South Asian Storytellers Retreat. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird […]

Unite to Read

October 16 - 18, 2026

**Retreat Name**   Come join us at Boyds Mills for **a writing retreat**.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  The Boyds Mills campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and […]

Welcome to Whole Novel Workshop: An In-Person Retreat for Novelists (October)

October 18 - 23, 2026

OVERVIEW: Congratulations on your acceptance into the Whole Novel Workshop: A Fall Retreat for Novelists! This intensive, transformative Whole Novel Workshop offers writers the rare opportunity to have the entire draft (up to 85,000 words)* of a novel read by faculty, with detailed written feedback and two private consultations provided. Attention in an intimate setting […]

Early Readers and Chapter Books: A Creative Retreat

October 23 - 26, 2026

Novels in Verse: A Generative Retreat

October 26 - 29, 2026

HSP Reunion

October 29 - November 1, 2026

HSP Reunion   Come join us at Boyds Mills for a writing retreat.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured, and a time to connect as a group.  The Boyds Mills campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and […]

Carrot Cake Hype Squad November 2026

November 1 - 5, 2026

Come join us at Boyds Mills for a writing retreat.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured, and a time to connect as a group.  The Boyds Mills campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous sunsets, as […]

Poetry Palooza! A Workshop for Poetry Lovers

November 5 - 8, 2026

Recharge: A Poet's Retreat 2026

November 8 - 12, 2026

  Recharge: A Poet's Retreat 2026 Come join us at Boyds Mills for Retreat and Recharge: A Getaway for Poets. This retreat is just the right balance of planned activities to connect as a group and unstructured time to write. Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous sunsets as the […]

Picture Book Approaches: Concept Books, Biographies and More

November 10 - 12, 2026

Annual Cohort Retreat

November 12 - 16, 2026

Annual Cohort Retreat 2026   Come join us at Boyds Mills. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group. Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous sunsets as the […]

Muddy Middle Workshop

November 12 - 16, 2026

Muddy Middle Workshop   Come join us at Boyds Mills for this workshop. There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  Boyds Mills has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous sunsets […]

WAT Writing Alone Together Retreat

April 1 - 4, 2027

WAT Writing Alone Together Retreat   Come join us at Boyds Mills for **a writing retreat**.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured, and a time to connect as a group.  The Boyds Mills campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, […]

Pocono Over the Moon 2027: The Thing About Gravity

April 9 - 11, 2027

**Retreat Name**   Come join us at Boyds Mills for **a writing retreat**.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured, and a time to connect as a group.  The Boyds Mills campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and […]

Gingerflies Writing Retreat

April 17 - 21, 2027

Gingerflies Writing Retreat   Come join us at Boyds Mills for a writing retreat.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  The Boyds Mills campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching […]

Carrot Cake Hype Squad

May 23 - 27, 2027

**Retreat Name**   Come join us at Boyds Mills for **a writing retreat**.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured, and a time to connect as a group.  The Boyds Mills campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and […]

42nd HSP Gathering Retreat

May 27 - 31, 2027

Dead Post-Its Class Reunion

July 17 - 20, 2027

Dead Post-Its Class Reunion   Come join us at Boyds Mills for **a writing retreat**.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured, and a time to connect as a group.  The Boyds Mills campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird […]

Westport Writers Workshop

September 19 - 22, 2027

Westport Writers Workshop   Come join us at Boyds Mills for **a writing retreat**.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  This retreat will be low-key and unstructured and a time to connect as a group.  The Boyds Mills campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching […]

Kindling Words Retreat at Boyds Mills

October 3 - 8, 2027

Come join us at Boyds Mills.  There will be delicious, locally sourced meals, with snacks and beverages throughout the day.  The Boyds Mills campus has ample opportunities for walking, hiking, bird watching and gorgeous sunsets, as the campus is surrounded by nature and woods.  This setting is sure to ignite your creativity and inspire you […]