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Clockhouse Writers' Conference & Retreat
July 17-21, 2026 The Creative Campus @ Goddard Every year since 1997, MFA alumni have gathered at the Clockhouse Writers' Conference & Retreat (CWC&R) to practice our art and renew our bonds as a writing community. We've followed this set of principles since the beginning. One of the gifts of CWC&R is that each time we gather, we make our own community, much like the one we experienced as we went through the program at Goddard. |
WhatA five-day nurturing and generative writing conference and retreat created for and by graduates of Goddard College's MFA in Creative Writing program.
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WhoAll Goddard MFA-W graduates who attended for any length of time are invited to attend. Attendance is limited to 30 people.
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When & WhereFriday through Tuesday,
July 17-21, 2026. The Creative Campus @ Goddard 123 Pitkin Road, Plainfield, VT. |
We are excited to be back on the campus grounds where many of us completed our MFAs and be inspired by the vibrancy that The Creative Campus has brought back to it.
Registration fee
To register
Deadlines
Registration fee
- The costs of hosting the conference and retreat at The Creative Campus @ Goddard are more than they were at Champlain College. As such we've had to increase the registration fee to help cover renting meeting space for our activities.
- The $140 registration fee includes all conference sessions and workshops, snacks and refreshments, and a copy of CLOCKHOUSE Journal Vol. 13
To register
- Click on the Register Now button
- Select to pay by credit card (incurs X% processing fee), by check (no fee), or by Zelle (no fee)
- Complete the online form including selections for housing and meals
- Pay the $140 registration fee either online through credit card, by sending a check, or using Zelle
Deadlines
- Registration fee and form must be submitted by June 15. We suggest paying the registration fee as soon as possible to secure your spot as attendance is limited to 30 people.
- Any room or meal balance amount is due by July 1.
You can stay on-campus in the dorm or make your own arrangements to stay off campus. Please note, we will not be the only people at The Creative Campus @ Goddard. There may be other people staying in the dorm, in the dining hall and other shared spaces.
Dorm
Our home base will be Kilpatrick. If you stayed there during a Goddard residency, most of it will be familiar. If not, this is what you can expect:
Staying off campus
Arriving early
Cost:
Dorm
Our home base will be Kilpatrick. If you stayed there during a Goddard residency, most of it will be familiar. If not, this is what you can expect:
- There is room for XX people in the dorm.
- Each dorm room will have one or two extra long twin-size beds with linens, pillow, blanket, and towels.
- All-gender shared bathrooms.
- No air-conditioning.
- Limited refrigerator space.
- We will bring our own coffee maker, tea kettle, and fixings.
- Free parking.
Staying off campus
- You can make your own arrangements to stay off-campus and pay for meals on campus.
Arriving early
- If you are staying in the dorms, you can arrive early and stay Thursday night, July 17. This can be helpful for those traveling a long distance as conference check-in begins Friday at 11 a.m.
Cost:
- Single/double room: $60 per night for 4 nights (linens included) + 9% VT tax = $262
- One-time cleaning fee: $25/person
- Optional: Early arrival night in dorm on Thursday, July 16: $60 + 9% VT tax = $65.40
Whether you stay in the dorm or off-campus, you can pre-pay for meals in the dining hall from Friday breakfast through Tuesday lunch, depending on when you plan to arrive and depart.
Our meals will be buffet-style in the dining hall, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options at every meal. We will have snacks and beverages available all day/night in Kilpatrick. You are welcome to bring your own, but there is limited space for perishable items.
Meal schedule:
Cost
Our meals will be buffet-style in the dining hall, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options at every meal. We will have snacks and beverages available all day/night in Kilpatrick. You are welcome to bring your own, but there is limited space for perishable items.
Meal schedule:
- Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday: breakfast (8-9 am), lunch (12-1 pm) and dinner (5:30-6:30) are available for purchase
- On Friday, Opening Session begin at 1:30 pm
- Tuesday: breakfast (8-9 am) and lunch (12-1 pm) are available for purchase
- On Tuesday, the conference officially ends at 11:30 am but you can stay to have lunch
Cost
- Per meal price: Breakfast $16, lunch $19.50, dinner $23
- These do not include 9% VT tax.
Every year, CWC&R kicks off with a Plenary Panel. The speakers and theme are chosen at the Closing Community Meeting of the previous year's conference. This year's theme is Artifacts.
In addition to the Plenary Panel, the conference includes writing workshops (generative, craft, impromptus), works-in-progress sessions, and evening readings. There is also plenty of time for personal writing, reflection, and socializing.
The core of the conference are the workshops hosted by attendees. Topics have ranged from "Music & the Writer" to "Writing Poems from Grief," from "Hermit Crab Fiction" to "A Memoir Roundtable," and more. If you would like to host a workshop, let us know on the registration form.
In addition to the Plenary Panel, the conference includes writing workshops (generative, craft, impromptus), works-in-progress sessions, and evening readings. There is also plenty of time for personal writing, reflection, and socializing.
The core of the conference are the workshops hosted by attendees. Topics have ranged from "Music & the Writer" to "Writing Poems from Grief," from "Hermit Crab Fiction" to "A Memoir Roundtable," and more. If you would like to host a workshop, let us know on the registration form.
Limited scholarships are available to help defray registration and/or room and meal costs.
Many of us in the CWC community have known thin financial times. The scholarship fund is for those times. We work on a community trust basis. We don't ask for a rationale or details. We simply divide the scholarship fund between those who let us know they could use support. All scholarship information is kept confidential.
The total amount available varies from year to year, depending on how many people ask, and how much is contributed to the fund. So we're unable to determine the amount of scholarships in advance.
Scholarships are made possible by generous donations from past and current CWC&R attendees.
To apply for assistance, SELECT THE OPTION OF PAYING BY CHECK OR ZELLE and complete your registration without paying.
We'll consider you registered and reach out by June 20 with the scholarship amount. Any balance not covered by the scholarship will be due by July 1.
Many of us in the CWC community have known thin financial times. The scholarship fund is for those times. We work on a community trust basis. We don't ask for a rationale or details. We simply divide the scholarship fund between those who let us know they could use support. All scholarship information is kept confidential.
The total amount available varies from year to year, depending on how many people ask, and how much is contributed to the fund. So we're unable to determine the amount of scholarships in advance.
Scholarships are made possible by generous donations from past and current CWC&R attendees.
To apply for assistance, SELECT THE OPTION OF PAYING BY CHECK OR ZELLE and complete your registration without paying.
We'll consider you registered and reach out by June 20 with the scholarship amount. Any balance not covered by the scholarship will be due by July 1.
The Creative Campus @ Goddard
123 Pitkin Road
Plainfield, VT 05667
Campus map >
Parking: The closest lot to the dorm is the lower lot by "The Center."
Transit: If arriving at the Burlington airport or by train in Montpelier, let us know if you need transportation to/from.
123 Pitkin Road
Plainfield, VT 05667
Campus map >
Parking: The closest lot to the dorm is the lower lot by "The Center."
Transit: If arriving at the Burlington airport or by train in Montpelier, let us know if you need transportation to/from.
Packing recommendations
Other
We will have a some refrigerator space in the dorm to store communal food but you're welcome to bring non-perishable food, etc. We'll also have a tea kettle and assorted snacks available throughout the day/night.
- Comfortable clothing and layers. Some buildings have air conditioning; Kilpatrick dorm does not.
- Toiletries (unscented is always appreciated).
- Reusable coffee cup and/or water bottle.
- A journal/notebook, writing implements, and/or computer and earphones.
- A lap desk or other hard surface like a clipboard if writing by hand.
- Sunscreen, rain gear, and bug repellant are also excellent ideas (Vermont does have ticks).
- Additional bedding and towels if that makes you comfortable.
- An outdoor/camping chair if you are driving and have room. We'll take advantage of outdoors spaces as weather permits.
Other
We will have a some refrigerator space in the dorm to store communal food but you're welcome to bring non-perishable food, etc. We'll also have a tea kettle and assorted snacks available throughout the day/night.
Questions? Email us at [email protected]