BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Boyds Mills - ECPv6.15.13.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Boyds Mills X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://boydsmills.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Boyds Mills REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20270314T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20271107T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260615 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260619 DTSTAMP:20260603T220534 CREATED:20251105T231848Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260414T182127Z UID:63539-1781481600-1781827199@boydsmills.org SUMMARY:Community Retreat with Stacy Wells and Cameron Mukwa: Celebrating Native and Indigenous Stories DESCRIPTION:About the Program\nIn-person 4-day/3-night Retreat \nThis retreat has been thoughtfully planned by author Stacy Wells (Choctaw) and author/illustrator Cameron Mukwa (Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa) as a celebration of the long history\, contributions\, and joy shared by Native\, First Nation\, and Indigenous voices in the children’s book field. \nWe are grateful to Andrea M. Page (Hunkpapa Lakota) for helping in the development of this year’s retreat. In addition\, AJ Eversole will assist during the retreat\, and editor Nancy Paulsen and agent Kate Schafer Testerman will join as publishing guests. \nWhy this community retreat? \n\nThis retreat was founded by Traci Sorell (Cherokee) in 2022. As Traci said\, “Time with fellow Native creatives helps sustain me along this author’s journey. I look forward to a weekend together to share our stories\, write\, create art\, and talk practically about how we navigate the publishing industry.” \n\nThis is a lightly scheduled program with optional/informal group activities is meant to offer time alongside community members as you create\, rest\, and explore. You can bring multiple projects with you at all stages of their process so that you can decide what you’d like to work on while you are at the retreat. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n“So many positives – time with like minded people\, time to connect\, time to work\, beautiful environment that was geared toward the comfort of writers. It was excellent.” \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n“Powwow Day wouldn’t be in the world if I hadn’t gone to where the magic happened in Cabin 7\, and revised that manuscript instead of working on a NIV while I was there.  I sold it to Karen Boss at Charlesbridge shortly after I left that weekend. Kathy Erskine\, Alma Fullerton\, and the workshop attendees helped so much in listening to me share it\, as well as making wonderful revision suggestions.” \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n“Getting to spend time being creative within a Native community was such a gift. I was able to relax\, knowing our shared identity allowed us to all exist without explanation.” \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tentative Agenda\nPlease bring projects at any stage in the writing process that you wish (idea\, draft\, revision\, etc.) \nPlease note: there is an optional day to extend your stay. If you are interested in this option\, please add that date at check out. For all other questions\, please reach out to our support team. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Day One: Monday\, June 15\, 2026\n \n3 – 5pm Eastern: Arrival \n5:30pm: Appetizers followed by dinner\n7:15pm: Welcome and Opening Remarks from Stacy Wells and Cameron Mukwa\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n Day Two: Tuesday\, June 16\, 2026\n Morning \n\nYoga (optional)\nBreakfast\nRetreat time\n\nAfternoon \n\nRetreat time\nPublishing discussion with editor Nancy Paulsen\n\nEvening \n\nAppetizers & Dinner\nAfter dinner: Fireside chat\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n Day Three: Wednesday\, June 17\, 2026\n Morning \n\nBreakfast\nRetreat time\nPresentation with agent\, Kate Schafer Testerman\n\nAfternoon \n\nRetreat time\nGROUP PHOTO\n\nEvening \n\nAppetizers & Dinner\nAfter dinner: Open Mic\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n Day Four: Thursday\, June 18\, 2026\n Morning \n\nBreakfast\nPacking and Retreat time\nClosing remarks from Stacy Wells and Cameron Mukwa\n\nAfternoon \n\nLunch and Farewells\n\n\n \n \n A Note About How Our Workshop Agendas Change and Evolve\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Learn More About This Community Retreat\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n DUMMY ROW - WILL BE HIDDEN\n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Level of Commitment is Expected During the Retreat? \n As an in-person event at our Retreat Center\, you’ll have a chance to move away from everyday life to experience the retreat. This in-community retreat prioritizes time for you to work independently\, and informal gatherings with fellow creatives. \nBoyds Mills strives for a safe and inclusive environment. You will have access to our Community Standards prior to the workshop where we ask for your respectful engagement with fellow creatives\, including our faculty and staff. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n How Does This Retreat Support Our Mission?\n Our mission is to positively impact children by amplifying the voices of storytellers who inform\, educate\, and inspire children to become their best selves. Your work grows as you grow and ground yourself in community. Join this community-centered program to connect and amplify one another. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n Can I Connect with Other Participants Prior to the Retreat? \n At least one week prior to the retreat\, you will receive a link to our virtual classroom where you can introduce yourself to fellow writers and engage in Boyds Mills n related resources (including our Community Standards). Boyds Mills strives for a safe and inclusive environment. You will have access to our Community Standards prior to the workshop where we ask for your respectful engagement with fellow creatives\, including our faculty and staff. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Learn more about Native Creatives at Boyds Mills.\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Books by Stacy Wells\nSee More \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Books by Cameron Mukwa\nSee More URL:https://boydsmills.org/workshop/community-retreat-with-stacy-wells-and-cameron-mukwa-celebrating-native-and-indigenous-stories-in-kidlit/ LOCATION:Boyds Mills Campus\, 392 Boyds Mills Road\, Milanville\, PA\, 18443\, United States CATEGORIES:Essential Conversations,friend50,In-Community,In-Person,Native Creatives ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://boydsmills.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/highlightsnativecreativeretreat-2.webp END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR