
Professional Writing Retreats Events
NWP Writing Retreat
Building on Success
June 27–30, 2002
Sunrise Springs Inn and Retreat
To be arranged by NWP.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Perhaps it's the high desert environs, but just as likely it's the collective energy that emerges when 20 National Writing Project teacher-consultants and site directors are given space to write at the annual NWP Writing Retreat. Whatever the reason, at least a dozen pieces that have appeared in NWP publications The Quarterly and The Voice have been generated during previous retreats at Sunrise Springs Inn and Retreat outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico. And that's not counting pieces that have been published in other professional journals. Building on this record of success, NWP again sponsored the writing retreat at the Sunrise Springs site.
Held June 27-30, 2002, the retreat was open to all NWP site directors and teacher-consultants. As in the past, the focus of the retreat was on professional writing—work that centers on classroom practice and educational issues. However, within the context of these guidelines, the retreat structure fostered a community of writers and an environment that was flexible enough to accommodate writers at different stages of development. And, as will surprise no one familiar with NWP programs, participants responded to each other's work and gathered feedback from on-site coaches/editors.
The application-only retreat worked to achieve a representation of the diversity of professional experience in NWP, of the participants' writing interests, and of the geographic range of the NWP network. While participants were responsible for their own travel and incidental expenses, NWP arranged lodging and covered the cost of accommodations and meals. Attendance was limited to 20 participants, and applications, which were due by March 22, 2002, were available from site directors (or could be obtained by calling 510-642-0976) in January 2002.