In-Person Workshops & Retreats
Learn. Get Inspired.
Then put it to work in the company of people who believe in the power of story.
“I wanted in-person. To go to a place that was made for creators. The hands on, one to one experience with mentors and with fellow creators. Literally it changed my life… I was inspired the whole week I was there, and met some really great people… To me it was like, yes, that’s another little ‘keep going.’ You belong here. Your stories matter. And it was fantastic. I can only say good things.”
CAMELLIA KOO
We’ve Been Listening.
And We’ve Put What You Need in One Place.
The learning, networking, and inspiration you get from a conference, without the overwhelming volume and anonymity.
The sense of community you feel in a group that “gets” you and your passion about inspiring kids through story, with connections made over sessions and meals instead of online.
The space to create and retreat, without the interruptions of everyday life.
What Is a In-Person Program?
Our In-Person Programs are designed to help inspire you on your journey to create for kids, and then give you time to put that inspiration to work.
You’ll learn, work on your craft, connect with fellow creatives, and retreat—all in the comfort and care of the Highlights Foundation.
Structures vary, but our retreats are hosted by faculty members who will be retreating alongside you. They’ll generously share their knowledge, connections, insights, and love of creating stories for kids.
Private lodging and meals are also included at our Retreat Center in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
“What I found was a sense of fellowship and belonging… I met so many wonderful people there who were supportive. I just had a wonderful time. I remember the workshops that I went to—and I took it in, and nothing felt as though it was too much. It all came in nice doses. And then I could go back to that porch and that rocking chair and take more in. And I went home like I could begin again.”
DARIA PEOPLES
At Our In-Person Programs You’ll Find:
- A mix of time to gather, network, learn, work, and retreat on our campus, with an agenda thoughtfully prepared in coordination with your faculty hosts.
- Ample time for independent work, meeting informally with fellow creatives, and resting.
- Lodging and meals included.
Take a Virtual Tour of Our Campus
See More Testimonials
I’ve gone to a lot of different conferences. Thousands and thousands of people. So overwhelming, and even if you hand out your business card, no one’s going to remember. [At Highlights, everyone] treats you like family the moment you step on campus. It’s just very welcoming, and magical. You know there’s just so much bonding without even realizing it… Having that one-on-one with [faculty]—that’s been huge, and probably even more so than sitting in the lectures themselves. (Harlan DeChamps)
“Attending a retreat at the Highlights campus felt like a portal fantasy, in the best way possible. Everyone was so friendly, and I felt so taken care of while I was there. The campus itself had wonderful spots to get creative work done (shout out to the Art Coop…I nerded out big time in there!), and I loved the routines we had where we got to do individual creative work and then come together during meals and after hours to bond and connect. It was just such a beautifully crafted atmosphere…The faculty was [also] amazing all around. They provided great insight in their presentations, and they were warm and welcome to discuss anything about the craft. I deeply enjoyed their company and their brilliance.”
“The time was organized so that we had moments for writing and moments for community. I feel like I left with having those goals met. I met my writing goals, and I made friends/started with a writing group that we get to continue.”
What Are In-Community Programs & Retreats?
You’ll see programs on our schedule called In-Community Retreats and Programs. These offer reserved and respected spaces for children’s authors and illustrators in affinity groups to find connected care, learning, growth, and collaboration—together. They’re part of our Essential Conversations Series, and include retreats on our campus, online workshops, and other programming. Some opportunities are application-based, funded through donations, partnerships and grants. Others are available for open registration.
What would become In-Community programming at the Highlights Foundation began as far back as 2010, when a member of the Highlights Foundation community brought forth an idea for a program specifically for Jewish writers. Now, 15 years later, our in-community offerings continue to evolve, with new in-person, online, and content-based programming each year.
It made me think about all the writing conferences I’ve attended before and how I’ve always found some support, but also have always spent considerable time on the margins, explaining so much about the pieces I’ve submitted to workshop, or waiting around during cocktails and parties where I just don’t fit, and where I often leave, feeling even more alone and set apart. Here every minute of the time we had together was something I could and would want to be a part of, and again, that was something so refreshing to experience as an individual and a writer.
Community doesn’t even sum it up. My whole life, I’ve walked this Earth feeling somewhat like an alien. The experiences that were happening to me, I just didn’t find them in other people that I was meeting. And when I [joined the Muslim Storytellers]…every time that I share one of these experiences with them, there’s just an instant connection. Like they’ve had that very moment at the age of five, or that moment growing up, or that experience with their family, and all these things that were just jumbling around inside me finally have definitions. They have language. They have ways of being explained…
Natasha Khan Kazi
…that giant Lego town behind me? In 2013, I celebrated the launch of my middle grade novel ROGUE, my first, featuring an autistic protagonist like myself, with that town with mini figures and a billboard made of Lego bricks, because I was so isolated from the writing community. Then in 2015 I discovered Highlights, and came to retreats where the welcoming staff accommodated my food restrictions and my need for the perfect balance of community and solitude. Since then I have found my people at Highlights, and the support and inspiration I’ve received has led me to write more books that draw from my experience of growing up autistic.
Lyn-Miller Lachmann
We were all Black authors and illustrators at different stages of the publishing journey… I am so grateful for the opportunity to get to know so many wonderful creators. Additionally, The Brown Bookshelf team shared with us such a wealth of information. They taught us how to advocate for ourselves with our publishers, helped us connect with others in the Black community who could spread the word about our books, and inspired pride in our Black storytelling traditions. Having space to discuss the challenges of publishing as a Black creator but also uncovering for us the immense opportunities was inspiring and enlightening.
Lisa Stringfellow
Summer Camp in Illustration: Intensive Artistic Inspiration
Starts: July 6, 2025
Summer Camp in Writing: Create and Dream!
Starts: July 13, 2025
Whole Novel Workshop: An In-Person Retreat for Novelists (August)
Starts: August 17, 2025
Whole Novel Workshop: An In-Person Retreat for Novelists (October)
Starts: October 26, 2025
