Cottage Retreat FAQ

Where are the cottages?

They’re right on Georgian bay, about 3 hours from Toronto. The closest town, Meaford, is about 10 minutes away.

How will we get there?

We’ll ask people to carpool wherever possible, and we’ll organize that for you.

How rustic is it?

These cottages aren’t too rustic, at least by our standards. They are old but there is warm running water, plenty of electricity, multiple bathrooms and well-equipped kitchens. They’re far from shacks, but not luxury homes either. Most importantly, there are lots of little nooks and crannies to curl up and write.

What are the rooms like?

They are basic but cozy with a mix of twin, bunk, double and queen-sized beds. The bigger beds will be filled first-come-first-served.

What is a meal team?

In order to get into the spirit of co-creating, everyone will be on a “meal team” with 2 others to create one meal for the group. You’ll be notified of your meal team well in advance to have time for planning and preparation. Your facilitators will be providing all other meals and snacks.

Will I be able to eat vegetarian/gluten-free/dairy-free/vegan/etc.

Yes. We’ll circulate ALL food allergies and sensitivities before the retreat so that all the meal teams plan accordingly. Prepping food for a big group of modern eaters can be a creative task in itself! It’s one we embrace, and ask you to embrace too.

Do you have financial policies?

Naturally. You can see them all right here.

What time does it start and end?

We’ll ask you to be at the retreat by dinner time on the first day of the retreat, so everyone should leave the city by 2:30pm at the latest. If you’re able to leave earlier, please do! You are welcome to arrive anytime after 2pm to nap, swim, walk, and generally settle in. We’ll finish up by 2pm on the last day of the retreat, so you have time to get home before rush hour hits.

What will we be doing?

The workshop will be a mix of short writing exercises, long periods of silence to go deep into our work, and free time. We’d be happy to send you a full schedule once we’ve cooked it up, if you’re curious.

Can I bring my sweetie?

Since these retreats are so cozy, we only want committed writers on board.

Do we need to bring sheets and towels?

Nope! We’ll have your bed all made up and ready for you. You might want an extra towel for beach lounging, but you’ll be well taken care of.

Is the retreat a “safe space” for LGBTQ2S+ voices and people of colour?

Oh yes! We do everything we can to make sure that our classes celebrate and welcome all voices. If you have specific concerns, or you encounter anything that makes you uncomfortable, we’d love to talk it over and adjust as needed.

Wait! I have another question!

No problem, just drop us a line.