Retreat for Writers & Creatives
May 5 - 11, 2025
Do you have a big project you want time to work on, but daily life is interfering? Come to Unirondack for a Creative Retreat at Camp this Spring. Envisioned for creative campers of all kinds, we have room for many writers, and openings for a limited number of composers and visual artists, depending on the space requirements for your project. Please inquire.
The purpose of this one-week creative retreat will be to get away to from the demands of daily life to come to Camp and focus on a specific project. Your project can be in the early, middle, or late stages, but you should have a clear intention for what you will do with your time at camp. Each participant will have a private room equipped with a desk and a place for books, and the option to work in any one of a variety of common spaces.
The retreat will begin with a community meeting, in which we will establish agreements for our time together, including how we will use spaces, when (or whether) we will gather to talk, and when we will take breaks from our work.
Perhaps your project will benefit from hikes in the woods, or spending time on the lake. This is not merely a traditional arts and crafts camp session, but a truly focused community supporting each other in their creative pursuits at camp. Gather round the fire to enjoy contemplative solitude, or discuss your project with a fellow creative. Personal time will be dedicated to your creative project, and group meals and activities will infuse your project with the beautiful campground setting in the Adirondacks.
One of the ways Unirondack has really grown over the years is to recognize that we want to provide the same fun, thoughtful, community programming for adults that we have been as a youth camp. While many of these retreats start out small, they are growing quickly into camp favorites with a committed group of attendees.
Cost: $250 to $500 for the week. Pay what you can.
Pricing for adult programs:
There is no difference in the accommodations at our sliding scale price points. We recognize that the difference in our attendees for Adult retreats ranges from those who have just graduated from high school to those who have been working with a salary for their entire life. Choose the price point that you're able, and please email us with any questions you might have. Those who select a "Supporter" level help to offset the cost of those who need financial assistance and your support for these programs is deeply appreciated!
About the facilitator
Lizabeth Cain, assistant professor of education at SUNY New Paltz and co-editor of Principled Resistance: How Teachers Resolve Ethical Dilemmas, brings more than twenty years’ experience facilitating group decision-making processes and supporting writers of all ages, as well as a wealth of enthusiasm for Unirondack and all it has to offer.
About the location
Unirondack is located over an hour east of Watertown, at the end of a very long driveway off a dirt road deep in the Adirondacks. The setting is rustic, with a long history as a youth camp, and offers a lake for paddling, a performance space, an art studio, and many spaces large and small which are ideal for curling up with a laptop or notebook.
Read more about the grounds here.
Unirondack is an alcohol, drug, smoke, and vape-free community. All meals will be prepared by our experienced kitchen staff and shared in our dining hall. Assistance with meal clean-up is appreciated but not required.