High-Country Writing Retreat
General Description:
This retreat enables new and experienced writers alike to take inspiration from the Sierra’'s spiced air and rushing waters. Opportunities abound for both solitude and writerly companionship. Group sessions provide guidance and prompts as well as time to write and share work without judgment. Unstructured periods allow for individual writing, wandering, and optional one-on-one instructor conferences. You determine the focus and form as well as the amount of writing you produce. Bring a writing project in progress, an empty notebook ready to be filled, or both.
Instructor
Sarah Rabkin is an award-winning instructor in writing and environmental studies at UC Santa Cruz and a freelance writer, editor, artist, and teacher. She has a bachelor's degree in biology from Harvard University and a graduate certificate in science communication from UCSC. She is the author and illustrator of What I Learned at Bug Camp: Essays on Finding a Home in the World (Juniper Lake Press, Spring 2011).
Class Schedule
There will be a get-acquainted meeting on Sunday evening at 7:00 PM ; last meeting finishes at 3:00 p.m. on Friday.
Supplies and Other Useful Items
Class Equipment
Please bring your favorite writing implements and a notebook or a supply of writing paper with clipboard. Opportunities to charge laptop batteries may be limited, so come prepared to write mainly by hand.
Field gear
Bring binoculars and/or a hand lens if you think you'll want to use them.
Camping gear
- warm sleeping bag
- foam pad
- flashlight
- bring your own tent or use tents with beds provided at the field campus
Clothing
Although days are generally warm, or even hot at lower elevations, be prepared for temperatures as low as freezing at night. Variable weather clothing that may be layered is best. Long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, warm sweater and jacket, t-shirt and shorts or skirt, tennis shoes or hiking boots, sun hat, rain gear, and a warm hat or gloves for cold weather or night activities. Old sneakers, rubber boots, or hip-waders may come in handy for marsh prowling.
Miscellaneous:
- day pack
- sunscreen
- insect repellant
- alarm clock
- water bottles
Required Reading
- Sarah will supply a collection of readings. Please bring a check or cash for $8-$12 to reimburse her for photocopying.
For carpool email jrblair@sfsu.edu
