What you need to know:
Our annual retreat is an in-community gathering for neurodivergent kidlit writers and illustrators.

You can look forward to:

• Writing and illustration time
• Connection with other neurodivergent writers and illustrators, who understand your struggles. There is so much value in this connection!
• Programming created by and for neurodivergent writers and illustrators!
• A calm and inclusive campus that caters to your unique needs

Cost

The price this year is $675 and is all-inclusive, with lodging and all meals and snacks provided by Boyds Mills (formerly The Highlights Foundation). Payment plans are available through Boyds Mills.

We’ve removed programming from our fee to make it more accessible for everyone. If you’d like, you can choose to contribute a donation toward our programming, which will help us pay the faculty!

A few notes:

• Thanks to your feedback, we’ve scheduled this for early august, to avoid school schedules!
• We’ve kept the cost to you at Boyds Mills’s base cost for your room and board (your private housing and all meals and snacks are included in that price)
• There are currently 10 rooms available at a first-come, first-serve basis, but we can open more if those sell quickly. Your room can be secured with a small downpayment.
• If you receive a Boyds Mills scholarship for 2026, you may be able to use it toward the ND Kidlit Retreat

Programming:

Based on past feedback and interests, programming we are currently working on includes:

• Play Time (including interactive scene work and other activities to fuel both writing and illustrating)
• Being creative and productive in a world not made for your brain
• Dealing with burnout
• Agent/Neurodivergent relationships: How to choose an agent, effective communications, difficult conversations
• Finding your voice/style as a neurodivergent creator
• Open Discussion: Tips/Tricks/Tools that work for you

Have Ideas for Programming?

Ultimately, this retreat is for YOU! If you have ideas for programming, feel free to email us! This can include anything from things you need help with, specific publishing information presented in a more ND-friendly way, to your own programming you’d be interested in presenting!

More information including programming will be coming soon, but don’t wait to register! Space is limited!