• Milkwood’s 2024 season has concluded. Click here for our 2024 schedule.

    Our 2025 season will run from June to October. We will announce the 2025 schedule in February, and Registration will open in March.

    To receive our 2025 schedule when it is announced, please Subscribe below to our mailing list.

  • Milkwood is located at 927 Swantak Road, South Kortright, NY 13842.

    For driving directions and other travel options (bus, train, or plane), please click here.

  • To register for our 2025 season, subscribe to Milkwood by entering your email address and clicking Sign Up at the bottom of this page.

    You will receive an email in February announcing our 2025 season and linking to registration forms.

    Our application process comprises two steps:

    1) REGISTRATION

    Register for any or all programming for which you are eligible. The registration period typically runs 3-4 weeks.

    2) SELECTION

    An ADVISORY COMMITTEE will select attendees based on artistic merit, artistic potential, and diversity of all kinds.

    Additional Factors: For all Retreats, Workshops, and Residencies, 1) Preference may be given to pairs who indicate on their registration form that they would prefer to share a room; and 2) In accordance with our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, we reserve spots for BIPOC and members of other traditionally marginalized communities.

  • Yes! For all retreats, workshops, and residencies, we encourage pairs to apply for a shared room.

    In addition, your group of 10 can apply for any of the residency weeks.

  • PEER RETREATS

    Prices for Peer Retreats include accommodations and all meals from Thursday afternoon to Sunday afternoon.

    Single room: $1,350

    Shared double room: $1,000 per person

    WORKSHOPS

    Prices for Workshops include accommodations and all meals from Thursday afternoon to Sunday afternoon.

    Single room: $1,800

    Shared double room: $1,450 per person

    “THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO” WORKSHOP

    Prices for the “Things to Look Forward To” Workshop include accommodations and all meals from Thursday afternoon to Sunday afternoon.

    Single room: $2,100

    Shared double room: $1,750 per person

    RESIDENCIES

    Prices for Residencies include accommodations, a welcome dinner on Monday night, and breakfast on Tuesday. All other meals are self-catered.

    Single room: $1,200

    Shared double room: $850 per person

    Group of 10: $10,000

  • We want Milkwood to be accessible to all members of the children’s book community, regardless of financial means. To that end, we have set aside limited funds to assist those who are unable to afford the full cost of a retreat.

    If you have been selected to attend a retreat, workshop, or residency and would like to be considered for financial assistance, you will have the opportunity to submit a Financial Assistance Application.

  • Attendees who cancel their booking more than four weeks before the start of their retreat will receive a full refund, minus a $30 processing fee. Attendees who cancel their booking between four and two weeks before the start of their retreat will receive a 50% refund. Attendees who cancel their booking less than two weeks before the start of their retreat will not receive a refund.

    If one of two guests in a double-occupancy room cancels, the other guest will have three options: to find a replacement, to share the room with a guest on the waiting list, or to cancel their own booking.

    If, for any reason, Milkwood cancels a retreat, attendees will receive a full refund.

  • No. There are 3 spa-like bathrooms with showers, which are each shared by 3 to 4 guests. In addition to these bathrooms, there are two washrooms.

  • Yes!

  • Yes! Thanks in part to a grant from The Awesome Foundation, Milkwood is accessible to guests who use wheelchairs. The Seal bathroom and all bedrooms are ADA compliant.

  • Unfortunately, no. (Unless, of course, your partner or child works in the children’s book industry, too, and has been selected to attend!)

  • Unfortunately, no. At this time, Milkwood cannot accommodate animals.

    With advance notice, though, we can make exceptions for service animals and emotional support animals. If you have an animal that you’d like to accompany you, please email us.

  • We have a no-visitors policy when guests are at Milkwood - except, of course, when dropping off or picking up a guest.

  • Milkwood is dedicated to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive space for all members of the children’s book community. To that end, we offer BIPOC and LGBTQ+ retreats and, for all other retreats, we reserve spots for members of traditionally marginalized communities.

  • The health and safety of our attendees and staff is our highest priority.

    Guests and staff at Milkwood are not required to be vaccinated against COVID, but we encourage everyone to take an at-home, over-the-counter test before they join us. We will provide a free rapid test to anyone who needs one.

  • Milkwood is dedicated to creating an environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, an environment free from unlawful harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. Harassment of any kind will not be tolerated and may result in expulsion from the retreat without a refund.

    If you experience or witness any unwelcome, intimidating, or harassing behavior, we encourage you to report it to a Milkwood employee and/or to submit a harassment incident report form. All reports will be investigated promptly. Milkwood will maintain confidentiality consistent with adequate investigation and appropriate corrective action.