We are always telling folks to “Follow your passion” and we have done a fairly good job of doing that. However, the one thing that we are most passionate about, Journaling, is something we have yet to explore as a main focus for a retreat of significant size. We are in our 10th year of doing Artfest and we continue to fill to capacity, and unfortunately have to turn people away. Clearly, we felt the need to plan another venue that could accommodate the growing number of attendees who want to participate in the creative magic that surges at these events.

We are limiting Journalfest to about 200 folks for the first year to keep it more intimate for the after hours journaling events we have planned. In the tradition of Artfest, we will again be offering 3 full days of workshops to choose from. You will arrive on a Wednesday at 3pm and depart on a Sunday morning at 10am. The evenings will consist of “Journal Jams” where we will get together to journal and socialize and listen to live music. Friday night will be a marketplace of journaling supplies, handbound journals and related stuff you can purchase.

We have chosen teachers who exhibit a passion for journaling or journal making themselves and we are super excited about our line-up for this first Journalfest.

Fort Worden is an old military base that is located in beautiful Port Townsend, Washington. Even though the fort is a little rough around the edges, our attendees continually tell us that is what adds to it's charm. You will see deer casually walking right in front of you as you meander down to your workshops. With the ocean and the trees as your backdrop, it will take your breath away. It is approximately a 2-hour drive from the SeaTac Airport. The trip involves driving into Seattle, taking a 1/2 hour ferry to Bainbridge Island and then traveling for about an hour north up the other side of puget sound. We will offer a shuttle from the airport (for about $80 RT) for those who need it. It has only one pick up time from the airport (2pm) and one departure time back to the airport (8am). More details will be in your confirmation packet.

We will be doing registration a little different this year (than we do at Artfest). Feel free to send in your form at any time. We can only accept checks, cashiers checks or money orders. International attendees can use paypal (but must add 3%).

Click here to sign-up.

For 3 days of workshops, 4 nights of lodging, goodies and all the extra events:

off campus - $480 (choose your own lodging in port townsend)

private room in dorm - $580

shared room in dorm - $560

shared room in officers housing - $620

A deposit of $300 is required with your form to register. The 2nd half is due by July 15, 2009. Please see the registration form for our cancellation policy.

DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMMODATIONS:
These are old buildings built around the turn of the century. The fort has been on a path of fixing and updating many of it’s accommodations for the past few years and every year we see much improvement! Still, if you think of this as going to camp, you'll be fine. If, however, you are accustomed to the best hotels, we would strongly suggest getting the off-campus option.

OFF CAMPUS - This option is good for folks who live close to the retreat, prefer nicer accommodations, or prefer their own room with their own bathroom. Port Townsend has a gazillion b&b's available in their victorian town. There are some average motels in town as well. You can do a search on google for options.

DORMS - These buildings have very small single rooms with communal bathrooms down the hall. Due to the fact that we get 95% women at our retreats, we also use the men's restrooms as women’s to provide more space. For this reason, we do not allow men in the dorms at any time. Linens, pillow, blanket, towels, etc. are included with each room. The shared dorm rooms consist of 2 twin beds in a room. We are only utilizing dorm 225 for Journalfest.

OFFICERS HOUSES - These houses were built for the first officers installed at Fort Worden and many have their original features including ornate tin ceilings and fireplaces...although most have been refurbished recently. Each house has a kitchen equipped with toaster, coffee maker, fridge, oven and utensils. We are utilizing all the 300 series houses (2 bedroom) as well as #9 (3 bedroom) and #11 (6 bedroom). Most of the rooms have one queen bed in each, so if you pick the shared option, you will be sharing a bed. We have a few rooms that have 2 twin beds, so if this is needed, please note it on your registration form.

Staying in the dorms or one of the houses provides a unique experience that helps make our retreats what they are. Folks usually have show and tell each night in their house or dorm and make friends which last long after the retreat is over.

Meals are served buffet style. They specialize in local, mostly organic fare. They always provide a good selection of entrees & sides, a salad bar and a selection of desserts along with a soda fountain. You may add any combination of the following to your registration:

4 breakfasts (thur, fri, sat, sun) - $45

3 lunches (thur, fri, sat) - $38

4 dinners (wed, thur, fri, sat) - $68

Friday night we will have a marketplace of artists selling handmade journals, supplies, and journal related artwork. To be a vendor you must be a registered attendee. You will be given information on applying for a juried table with your comfirmation packet.