It’s time to start thinking about participating in this year’s annual writing retreat at the beautiful and serene Camp N-Sid-Sen on the banks of Lake Coeur d’Alene.

This year, Bill Woolum will again be our visiting writer. Bill is a native of the Silver Valley of North Idaho and presently teaches in the English department at Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon. He writes a daily blog where you can "read how a whole range of poetry, book reviews, movie reviews, stories, brief essays, and reflections grow out of a life begun in Kellogg, Idaho, in the Silver Valley of North Idaho." To learn more about our writer visit his blog www.kelloggbloggin.blogspot.com.

So, what do you do at a writing retreat?
This is your uninterrupted time to read and write. You are free to join other writers for as many or few group activities as you choose. Activities offered include morning workshops, afternoon conference time, readings, evening campfires, small discussion groups, a walk, water sports . . . Or you can set yourself up in a quiet corner with a pile of books and writing materials, and spend uninterrupted quality time alone. Previous participants have worked on poetry, drama, memoir, short fiction, revising a novel, professional writing for publication, writing letters to their loved ones, completing a master’s thesis, rewriting a curriculum, or recharging their batteries through time spent in reflection and reading. Participants sometimes take time to bike, run or hike, or to take a swim or fish in Lake Coeur d’Alene. Previous participants have commented that time at the retreat leaves them refreshed, invigorated and excited about writing.

What is the cost? Cost for the full retreat is $380 for NIWP members, $400 for non-NIWP teachers, and $425 for the general public. This covers lodging, all meals and break service, and workshops/conference time with our visiting writer. Our group will be working and lodging at the Spirit Lodge with meals at the Forester Lodge. You can view these at www.n-sid-sen.org.

Is financial assistance available?
$100 stipends are available for active NIWP Teacher Consultants and Summer Institute fellows who have not yet received a stipend. You can also check out your school/ local education authority for available professional development funding to help cover your costs. Online registration will be available soon. Registration is due by June 15, 2009. After June 15, all fees will be non-refundable. University of Idaho credit and Washington State clock hours will be offered for those interested.

For more information:
Contact Christy Woolum christywoolum@yahoo.com or Bev Wolff bevw@roadrunner.net.