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. One of the gifts of CWC&R is that each time we gather, we make our own community, much like the one we all experienced as we went through the program at Goddard. Join us to create another memorable conference.
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What: A five-day nurturing and generative writing conference and retreat created for and by graduates of Goddard College's MFA-W program Who: All Goddard MFA-W graduates When & where: July 17-21, 2026 on the Creative Campus at Goddard |
Registration fee: $XXX Due by June 15 to secure your spot Dorm housing: $XXX.XX Plus option to arrive Thursday night On-campus meals: $XXX,XX Housing and meals payment due by July 1 |
Registration
To register:
Complete the online form and pay the $110 registration fee.
Pay by credit card (incurs X% processing fee), or by check or Zelle (no fee).
Registration fee and form must be submitted to secure your spot. We suggest paying the registration fee as soon as possible but no later than the deadline of June 15.
Any room or meals balance amount is due by July 1.
Complete the online form and pay the $110 registration fee.
Pay by credit card (incurs X% processing fee), or by check or Zelle (no fee).
Registration fee and form must be submitted to secure your spot. We suggest paying the registration fee as soon as possible but no later than the deadline of June 15.
Any room or meals balance amount is due by July 1.
ACCOMmODATIONS
You can stay on-campus in the dorm or make your own arrangements to stay off campus. Please note we'll be sharing the campus with ......
Dorm
Our home base will be Kilpatrick.
Staying off campus
You can make your own arrangements to stay off-campus.
Dining
Our meals will be in ......, which offers vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options at every meal.
We'll have a light lunch and snacks in the dorm on Friday during check-in.
Meals begin with dinner on Friday and end with lunch on Tuesday. Meal plan pucharses.....
Arriving early
You can choose to arrive and stay in the dorm Thursday night, July 17. This can be helpful for those traveling a long distance as check-in begins Friday at 11 a.m.
If you arrive early, both on- and off-campus attendees have the choice to pre-purchase Thursday dinner and Friday breakfast.
Dorm
Our home base will be Kilpatrick.
- There is room for 20 people in the dorm: ....
- The dorm has air-conditioning!
- Each dorm room will have ...
Staying off campus
You can make your own arrangements to stay off-campus.
Dining
Our meals will be in ......, which offers vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options at every meal.
We'll have a light lunch and snacks in the dorm on Friday during check-in.
Meals begin with dinner on Friday and end with lunch on Tuesday. Meal plan pucharses.....
Arriving early
You can choose to arrive and stay in the dorm Thursday night, July 17. This can be helpful for those traveling a long distance as check-in begins Friday at 11 a.m.
If you arrive early, both on- and off-campus attendees have the choice to pre-purchase Thursday dinner and Friday breakfast.
COST
Registration fee
Dorm
Meals
Dorm room & meal conference costs
Vermont room and meal tax is included in all prices.
- $110 fee includes all conference sessions, refreshments, dorm cleaning fee and a copy of CLOCKHOUSE Journal Vol. 12.
Dorm
- Single room: $50 per night for 4 nights
- Double/triple room: $43 per night for 4 nights
- Optional early arrival: Cost of one night
Meals
- We'll provide a light lunch in the dorm for everyone on arrival day (sandwich makings, chips, fruit, etc.)
- Meal plan required for those in dorm (Fri. dinner through Tues. breakfast): $126
- Off-campus attendees can pre-purchase individual meals: breakfast $10.25, lunch $12.50, dinner $15.50
- Optional early arrival: You can pre-purchase Thursday dinner and/or Friday breakfast.
Dorm room & meal conference costs
Vermont room and meal tax is included in all prices.
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NOTE: You can pay by credit card but will be charged a 6% processing fee by Eventleaf. None of this money goes to CWC. To pay without a fee, you can send a check or pay through Zelle. More info is on the registration form.
SCHEDULE
Plenary Panel
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, 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 have an idea for a workshop, let us know on the registration form.
Here is the schedule for CWC&R 2025. We'll continue to update it as we get nearer to the conference.
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, 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 have an idea for a workshop, let us know on the registration form.
Here is the schedule for CWC&R 2025. We'll continue to update it as we get nearer to the conference.
SCHOLARSHIPS
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.
That also means the 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 to pay for registration and/or room and meals, check the box on the registration form and when checking out - please SELECT THE OPTION OF PAYING BY CHECK OR ZELLE.
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.
That also means the 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 to pay for registration and/or room and meals, check the box on the registration form and when checking out - please SELECT THE OPTION OF PAYING BY CHECK OR ZELLE.
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.
FOUNDING PRINCIPLES
In 1997, the founders of CWC created a set of principles that we have lived by every since.
DIRECTIONS, PARKING, AIRPORT
If you are driving to CWC&R, let us know on the registration form so we can secure a free, on-campus parking pass.
Directions and campus map >
Directions and campus map >
WHAT TO BRING TO CAMPUS
Packing recommendations
Linens
Each room/bed will have a pillow and linens provided but you are welcome to bring anything that makes you more comfortable.
Other
We will have a small refrigerator 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. It can be sweltering outside but freezing in the buildings.
- 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).
Linens
Each room/bed will have a pillow and linens provided but you are welcome to bring anything that makes you more comfortable.
Other
We will have a small refrigerator 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?
Contact us at [email protected]
Contact us at [email protected]