Plan Your Personal Retreat
Personal Retreats at Boyds Mills offer the space and freedom to bring your ideas to life.
Use our retreat center as a quiet base for your creative endeavors. Whether you are writing, researching, or simply looking for a creative recharge, you have full control over your itinerary from check-in to check-out.
FIND AVAILABLE DATES
Use this calendar to find available dates for your stay. Personal Retreats require a 3-night minimum stay; however, we have have 2-night visits available on select dates.
After finding dates, follow these links to book personal retreats or two-night stays.
Choose a date above to see availability.
Please note, this calendar is in Beta and updates every 24 hours. If you have feedback on this feature, please let us know.
WHAT IS A PERSONAL RETREAT?
A Personal Retreat is an all-inclusive, self-directed getaway designed to help you refocus, rest, and recharge. There is no set schedule; your time is entirely your own to spend as you please. Your experience includes:
- Comfortable lodging with private bathrooms and work spaces
- Additional work and meeting spaces around the retreat center (including outdoor options)
- 3 farm-fresh meals per day and unlimited snacks included (eat with others, or take your meal to go)
- 2.5 miles of hiking trails adjacent to campus over the foothills of Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains
- Time and space to relax and focus
Personal Retreats require a three-night minimum visit, with limited two-night options available.
“How had I never known that the perfect writer’s retreat existed at the Boyds Mills Campus? I had such a wonderful time finishing my novel at the campus, and felt fully supported by the staff, the faculty that was onsite with me, and the beautiful surroundings. I couldn’t be happier and more grateful for the days that I spent there.” —Venessa Kelley
“Just what I needed…How terrific to be in such a beautiful place, given delicious food, and everything else I needed so that I could devote all of my attention to my manuscript…It was this writer’s idea of heaven!” —Deborah Heiligman
Learn More About Personal Retreats at Boyds Mills
DUMMY ROW - WILL BE HIDDEN
Is a 3-Night Stay Required? Can I Book a Shorter Stay?
Our Personal Retreats do require a three-night minimum stay. However, we do offer a few select dates for two-night stays throughout the calendar year.
These two-night stays are only when available within our schedule. You can book a two-night special here.
Are Personal Retreats Available Year-Round?
Openings for Personal Retreats vary with the planned capacity of our retreat center. Availability can be limited in the winter and high seasons.
Winter availability is generally limited to select weekends, but we can open the retreat center with a confirmed booking of 10+ people on other dates. More options may also become available as capacity shifts. Subscribe to email updates for more information about Personal Retreat availability.
Are Food and Drink Included?
Yes! All meals and food are included, including snacks and ice cream! You can choose to eat with other guests on campus during mealtimes, or you can take your meals back to your room.
Can I Bring Friends or Colleagues?
Yes! You can bring colleagues, friends, or family members (over 18 years old) to retreat with you. Some rooms can accommodate more than one person for sleeping, or we can work with you to situate your accommodations close together. Our Custom Retreats are group retreat options—for small to large groups.
Where Can I Find Help for Booking A Personal Retreat?
If you have questions about booking, please contact us. Our team can help you or your group make reservations.
Also, you can book by clicking an orange button on this page. You can book directly there, and you’ll find step by step instructions in our handy booking guide.
How Do I Book A Specific Lodging Type?
If you are looking for a specific type of lodging only (i.e. cabin only), click one of the orange Book Now buttons on this page, then click “Lodging and Pricing,” and then click More Details+ or Availability+ under the lodging type you want.
You can also check the calendar above (and choose your lodging type) from the top menu to determine availabilities.
Can Anyone Visit for a Personal Retreat? Do I need to be a Children's Book Writer?
Boyds Mills is located on family farmstead of the founders of Highlights magazine, and our own programming centers on children’s literature. However, we welcome a variety of creative types and those seeking an escape here at our retreat center.
We’ve welcomed authors (not writing for children), academics, professionals seeking a work retreat, artists, musicians, playwrights, and small groups. Our retreat center is geared toward writers and illustrators; however, we welcome those who share our values (see our Community Standards) and who seek a place to retreat and focus on their projects.
Personal Retreat 2-Night Specials
Our usual minimum stay is 3 nights, but we’re able to offer some 2-night stays for booking in 2026.
Check the dates available and see if one fits your needs.
