Tentative Schedule for Our Inaugural Gathering
This schedule is tentative and may change.
All events are in-person at the Blue Ridge Center lodge and are listed in Eastern Standard Time.
**Indicates that event is open to those outside of workshop who purchase a week-long pass to the gathering. There are a limited number of these passes and will be available for purchase in early July. All other events are exclusive to those who have applied and have been accepted as a workshop participant.
Monday, October 5:
12:00-4:00 pm: Check-in and welcome
4:15-6:00 pm: Welcome Orientation (Y Alum Room)
6:00-6:45 pm: Dinner with workshop group and assigned faculty leader (Dining Hall)
7:00-8:00 pm:Introductory orientation workshops (assigned classroom)
Tuesday, October 6:
**8:00-8:45 am: Breakfast (Dining Hall)
9:00-12:00 pm: Workshop #1 (assigned classroom)
**12:30-1:15 pm: Lunch (Dining Hall)
1:45-3:30 pm: Outdoor Class / Guided “Awe Walk” #1 with Ecology Faculty Laura Boggess & Luke Cannon
3:30-4:45: Personal/Writing Time
**4:45-5:45 pm: Craft Talk with Jane Hirshfield (Y Alum Room)
**6:00-6:45 pm: Dinner (Dining Hall)
**7:00-8:30 pm: Faculty Reading & Signing: David Baker & Camille T. Dungy(Y Alum Room)
**8:30-11:00 pm: Campfire (weather permitting)
Wednesday, October 7:
**8:00-8:45 am: Breakfast (Dining Hall)
9:00-12:00 pm: Workshop #2 (assigned classroom)
**12:30-1:15 pm: Lunch (Dining Hall)
1:45-3:30 pm: Outdoor Class / Guided “Awe Walk” #2 with Ecology Faculty Laura Boggess & Luke Cannon
3:30-4:45: Personal/Writing Time
**4:45-5:45 pm: Craft Talk with David Baker (Y Alum Room)
**6:00-6:45 pm: Dinner (Dining Hall)
**7:00-8:30 pm: Faculty Reading & Signing: Jane Hirshfield & Tim Seibles (Y Alum Room)
**9:00-10:30 pm: Fellows & Interns Reading (weather permitting, to be held in outside amphitheater around campfire)
Thursday, October 8:
8:00-8:45 am: Breakfast (Dining Hall)
**10:00-12:00 pm: Personal/writing time -OR- Hike with Luke Cannon -OR-visit downtown Black Mountain
**12:30-1:15 pm: Lunch (Dining Hall)
1:30-3:00 pm: Personal/Writing Time
**3:00-3:45 pm: Ceremonial planting of American Chestnut Tree
**3:45-4:15 pm: Faculty & Participant Group Photos
**4:45-5:45 pm: Interview with Featured Guest David George Haskell
**6:00-6:45 pm: Dinner (Dining Hall)
**7:00-8:30 pm: Featured Guest David George Haskell Reading & Book Signing
**8:30-11:00 pm: Midweek Celebration & Dance Party!
Friday, October 9:
**8:00-8:45 am: Breakfast (Dining Hall)
9:00-12:00 pm: Workshop #3 (assigned classroom)
**12:30-1:15 pm: Lunch (Dining Hall)
1:45-3:30 pm: Outdoor Class / Guided “Awe Walk” #3 with Ecology Faculty Laura Boggess & Luke Cannon
3:30-4:45: Personal/Writing Time
**4:45-5:45 pm: Craft Talk with Camille Dungy
**6:00-6:45 pm:Dinner (Dining Hall)
**7:00-9:30 pm: Participant Reading (weather permitting, to be held in outside amphitheater around campfire)
Saturday, October 10:
**8:00-8:45 am: Breakfast (Dining Hall)
9:00-12:00 pm: Workshop #4 (assigned classroom)
**12:30-1:15 pm: Lunch (Dining Hall)
**1:30-2:30 pm: Craft Talk with Tim Seibles (Y Alum Room)
2:30-3:45 pm: Personal/Writing Time
**3:45-5:45 pm: Hellbent Hope Panel poets David Baker, Camille Dungy, Jane Hirshfield, & Tim Seibles as well as ecologists Luke Cannon & Laura Boggess (Y Alum Room)
**6:00-6:45 pm: Dinner (Dining Hall)
7:00-9:00 pm: Farewell Book Signing & Exchange
Sunday, October 11:
**8:00-8:45 am: Breakfast (Dining Hall)
10:00 am: Check out
**Indicates that event is open to those who come to the gathering as retreat-goers, participating in everything except for the poetry workshops and guided “awe” walks. Week-long passes to participate in this way are available for purchase, but they are limited. For more information, contact us directly.