CWC&R 2024: New location
Registration is now closed. We hope to see you next year!
The Clockhouse Writers' Conference & Retreat lives!
We’re crossing a threshold into new territory, rocked by change and determined to thrive! Having absorbed news of the Plainfield campus closure — and of the Port Townsend campus closure before it — we’ve now learned of the decision to close the college entirely.
As we make this crossing, we’ll mourn what’s lost and also know that we carry with us our community, our artistic practices, and our commitment to holding each other’s writing. Come be a part of it!
Registration is now closed. We hope to see you next year!
The Clockhouse Writers' Conference & Retreat lives!
We’re crossing a threshold into new territory, rocked by change and determined to thrive! Having absorbed news of the Plainfield campus closure — and of the Port Townsend campus closure before it — we’ve now learned of the decision to close the college entirely.
As we make this crossing, we’ll mourn what’s lost and also know that we carry with us our community, our artistic practices, and our commitment to holding each other’s writing. Come be a part of it!
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Our home for the in-person option of this year's Clockhouse Writers' Conference & Retreat, which takes place July 12-16, 2024, is Champlain College in downtown Burlington, VT.
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This space will be different, and those of us used to Port Townsend or Plainfield may feel some culture shock. It's also exciting to think about living, writing, reading, thinking, and laughing together, trying fresh ideas and touching on familiar rituals in this new setting.
We’re building a new house for us on the other side of the threshold. Welcome. Come on in!
What
Who
When & where
We’re building a new house for us on the other side of the threshold. Welcome. Come on in!
What
- A five-day writing conference and retreat created for and by graduates of Goddard College's MFA in Creative Writing.
Who
- All graduates of Goddard College's MFAW program (either campus) prior to April 2024.
When & where
- Friday, July 12, through Tuesday, July 16, 2024
- Champlain College, Burlington, VT
- Virtually via Zoom
Registration
The non-refundable registration fee is $110* (whether in-person or virtual) and is due by June 15.
To register:
*This is a $10 increase from pervious years, see the "Cost" section below.
To register:
- Complete the online form and pay the $110 registration fee.
- You may pay by check, or electronically by Zelle or Venmo. (Details on registration form)
- Both your form and fee must be submitted by the deadline of June 15.
- For those attending in person, any balance amount is due by check-in on the first day of conference.
*This is a $10 increase from pervious years, see the "Cost" section below.
ACCOMmODATIONS
If attending in person, you can choose to stay on-campus or make your own arrangements to stay off campus (Champlain College's list). Note, that while we have our own dorm, we'll be sharing the campus with summer-session students.
Dorm
Our home base will be McDonald Hall (pictured), a historic Victorian-era mansion that was renovated in 2023.
Dining
Our meals will be in the nearby IDX Dining Hall, which offers vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options at every meal. We'll be able to take food from the dining hall so we can eat outside or in the dorm.
Arriving early
Champlain College will allow in-person attendees arrive and stay Thursday night, July 11. This can be helpful for those traveling a long distance as check-in begins Friday at 11 a.m. ET and the conference officially opens at 1 p.m. ET.
To offer this accommodation, Champlain College requires a minimum of 5 people to stay Thursday night. If you are interested, please check the box on the registration form and we'll be in touch.
Dorm
Our home base will be McDonald Hall (pictured), a historic Victorian-era mansion that was renovated in 2023.
- There are 17 rooms available: 15 will be set aside for singles and 2 rooms will be reserved for doubles or triples.
- Singles are assigned in order of registration received.
- The dorm has air-conditioning!
- Each dorm room will have a pillow and blanket. You can bring your own towels and XL twin sheets or, for a $25 fee, use their linen service, which includes a pillowcase, sheets, bath towel and hand towel.
Dining
Our meals will be in the nearby IDX Dining Hall, which offers vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options at every meal. We'll be able to take food from the dining hall so we can eat outside or in the dorm.
Arriving early
Champlain College will allow in-person attendees arrive and stay Thursday night, July 11. This can be helpful for those traveling a long distance as check-in begins Friday at 11 a.m. ET and the conference officially opens at 1 p.m. ET.
To offer this accommodation, Champlain College requires a minimum of 5 people to stay Thursday night. If you are interested, please check the box on the registration form and we'll be in touch.
COST
Champlain College is charging CWC a fee to use their tech and space for larger gatherings like the Plenary Panel and readings, which can't be held in the dorm. So we have added a $10 fee for all attendees to help cover this cost.
Still, the cost to attend the conference in person is significantly less than it was at Goddard. For example, in 2022 a single room plus meals at Goddard was $636.28. At Champlain, a single room with linen package plus meals is $470.72.
Registration fee
Campus room and board
Campus meals
*plus 9% Vermont room and meal tax
Total in-person conference costs
Still, the cost to attend the conference in person is significantly less than it was at Goddard. For example, in 2022 a single room plus meals at Goddard was $636.28. At Champlain, a single room with linen package plus meals is $470.72.
Registration fee
- $110 non-refundable fee (inclusive of tech/meeting space fee) for all attendees, both on-campus and virtual
Campus room and board
- Single - $47* per night for 4 nights + optional $25 linen fee
- Double/triple - $42* per night for 4 nights + optional $25 linen fee
- Note: If arriving early, you'll pay one more per night cost.
Campus meals
- For those staying in the dorm: $120* for 12 meals (dinner on Day 1 through lunch on Day 5)
- For those staying off-campus, you can pre-purchase individual meals. More information is on the registration form.
*plus 9% Vermont room and meal tax
Total in-person conference costs
Single Room |
Double/Triple Room |
Registration fee = $110 |
Registration fee = $110 |
4 nights = $188 |
4 nights = $168 |
12 meals = $120 |
12 meals = $120 |
Tax = $27.72 |
Tax = $25.92 |
Sub-total = $445.72 |
Sub-total = $423.92 |
Optional linen fee = $25 |
Optional linen fee = $25 |
Total = $470.72 |
Total = $448.92 |
Extra night (Thurs): $47 + 9% tax = $51.23 |
Extra night (Thurs): $42 + 9% tax = $45.78 |
SCHEDULE
Plenary Panel
Every year, CWC&R kicks off with a Plenary Panel featuring three speakers and a moderator. The speakers and theme are chosen at the Closing Session of the previous year's conference. This year's theme is Crossing Thresholds, which feels especially apt.
In addition to the Plenary Panel, the conference includes attendee-led works-in-progress and writing prompt sessions, workshops on craft, and evening readings. There is also time for personal writing, reflection and socializing.
A full conference schedule will be sent to registrants about a month before the conference begins. For a history of CWC and conferences over the years, see our presentation here.
Note: Most sessions are hybrid, while others are in-person or virtual only.
Sample schedule
Day 1
Every year, CWC&R kicks off with a Plenary Panel featuring three speakers and a moderator. The speakers and theme are chosen at the Closing Session of the previous year's conference. This year's theme is Crossing Thresholds, which feels especially apt.
In addition to the Plenary Panel, the conference includes attendee-led works-in-progress and writing prompt sessions, workshops on craft, and evening readings. There is also time for personal writing, reflection and socializing.
A full conference schedule will be sent to registrants about a month before the conference begins. For a history of CWC and conferences over the years, see our presentation here.
Note: Most sessions are hybrid, while others are in-person or virtual only.
Sample schedule
Day 1
- In-person and virtual check-in begins at 11 am ET, with light snacks provided
- Afternoon sessions include Opening Community Meeting and Plenary Panel
- Meal plan begins with dinner
- Workshops include Stations of the Word, Impromptus and Works-in-Progress
- Personal retreat/writing time
- Evening readings by CWC&R attendees
- Closing Community Meeting
- Meal plan ends with lunch
- Farewells and check-out by 1 pm ET
SCHOLARSHIPS
Limited scholarships are available to both in-person and virtual attendees to defray registration and/or room and board costs.
Scholarships are made possible by donations from past and current CWC&R attendees. Each year, the total amount of donations is divided evenly between all applicants.
More information, including how to donate to the scholarship fund, is on the registration form.
Scholarships are made possible by donations from past and current CWC&R attendees. Each year, the total amount of donations is divided evenly between all applicants.
More information, including how to donate to the scholarship fund, is on the registration form.
cwc'S FOUNDING PRINCIPLES
In 1997, the founders of CWC created a set of principles that we have lived by every since.
cOVID/MASKING POLICY
Guests agree to comply with Champlain College, federal, state and local health and safety rules regarding Covid-19 during their stay. Health and safety rules are subject to change based on local, state and federal guidance. In the event of a change, Champlain will notify the Guests.
Champlain reserves the right to enforce such health and safety rules including requiring individual attendees to leave the campus for failure to comply with such rules.
At the time of this booking, Champlain's current Covid-19 health and safety rules include, but are not limited to, the following:
Champlain reserves the right to enforce such health and safety rules including requiring individual attendees to leave the campus for failure to comply with such rules.
At the time of this booking, Champlain's current Covid-19 health and safety rules include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Wearing a mask is optional on campus. As a community, we encourage you to wear a mask in any situation where it is the right choice for you and your personal level of risk.
- Guests who have symptoms of Covid-19 must not come to campus. Guests who have tested positive for Covid-19 prior to their arrival must test negative and have no symptoms in order to attend the Event.
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.
If you are flying into Burlington, we can provide a ride to and from the airport. Check that box on the registration form.
Directions and campus map >
Parking information (coming soon)
If you are flying into Burlington, we can provide a ride to and from the airport. Check that box on the registration form.
Directions and campus map >
Parking information (coming soon)
What to bring to campus
Packing recommendations
Linens
If not purchasing the optional linen package, bring your own XL twin sheets/pillowcase, and towels. They will provide a pillow and blanket.
Other
We're coordinating to have a small snack refrigerator in the dorm where we’ll store communal food but you're welcome to bring non-perishable food, etc. While there will be coffee available at the dining hall, we’ll also try to arrange a coffee pot and/or tea kettle for the dorm.
- Comfortable clothing.
- Toiletries (unscented is always appreciated).
- Reusable coffee cup and/or water bottle.
- A journal/notebook, writing implements, and/or computer and earphones.
- Sunscreen, rain gear, and bug repellant are also excellent ideas (Vermont does have ticks).
Linens
If not purchasing the optional linen package, bring your own XL twin sheets/pillowcase, and towels. They will provide a pillow and blanket.
Other
We're coordinating to have a small snack refrigerator in the dorm where we’ll store communal food but you're welcome to bring non-perishable food, etc. While there will be coffee available at the dining hall, we’ll also try to arrange a coffee pot and/or tea kettle for the dorm.
Questions?
Contact us at [email protected]
Contact us at [email protected]