Summer Serenity Writing Retreat
~ at Arowhon Pines Resort in Algonquin Park
Sunday, August 30 – Wednesday, September 2,
2026
Arowhon Pines Resort
Arowhon Pines Road
Little Joe Lake, Algonquin Park
Ontario, Canada
Note: We also have a retreat coming up this June at
Arowhon Pines in Algonquin Park. Details here.
Stretch out your summer and give
yourself the time to write – four days of instruction, inspiration and
creativity. Award yourself with time away from distractions, with no dishes to
do and wonderful food at every meal, as you sit with your feet up and
write in the most beautiful wilderness setting in Ontario. This is where the
Group of Seven got its inspiration (Tom Thompson is buried just a couple of
lakes over); it’s a wonderful place for you to find your inspiration, too.
The retreat will feature both instruction and
guided writing exercises, plus one-on-one critiquing and coaching from Brian.
You’ll also have lots of time to relax, rejuvenate, and reconnect with
your creativity.
All writing levels welcome. Whether you are just
beginning or have a novel in progress, please join us.
The retreat will be limited to ten or eleven
participants. This will mean plenty of one-on-one time with the instructor.
The setting: Arowhon Pines is a peaceful, quiet
resort nestled in the woods on Little Joe Lake inside Algonquin Park. There are
no motorboats on the lake, except for the resort’s own pontoon boat which takes
guests on occasional wildlife tours.
The resort is without TV and is far from the roar
of traffic. The cry of a loon is the loudest noise you’re likely to hear all
day.
Rates include charming accommodation (rooms
have a mix of queen beds for one person or couples or twin beds for two people
rooming together, and a private bathroom of course, and each cabin has a lounge
with fireplace to share with your fellow writers).
Three all-you-can-eat gourmet meals per day are provided,
featuring an abundance of fresh food prepared by master chefs and an inspired
kitchen staff. (Bring your own wine or beer!)
All activities included. When you’re not writing or
for spouses who accompany you, there is plenty to do: canoe or kayak a series
of lakes or hike trails to see wildlife (moose, loons, beaver, turtles, fox,
deer), swim in the lake, sail, stand up paddleboard, play tennis or pickleball,
enjoy a sauna, and simply relax.
For indoor activities there is a games room with
table tennis, shuffleboard, books, and board games. Your stay also includes
access to all Algonquin Park programs and activities including a car pass for
you to fully enjoy the park.
Check-in isn’t until 3 p.m., but guests can arrive
in the morning to fully take advantage of the facilities (though the meals
included in your package don’t begin until after check-in time, so lunch on
Friday is extra if you arrive early). Each guest will have a day pass
for Algonquin Park.
The formal retreat will begin late Friday
afternoon. On Monday, we’ll have our last formal get-together in the morning.
Check out time is at 12 noon p.m. Then enjoy lunch while the bellhops load the
car. But once you’ve eaten, don’t feel you have to rush off!
Participants are welcome to bring spouses,
partners or friends, as there will be plenty to do while you’re writing –
canoeing, kayaking or sailing, swimming, pickleball, reading and just plain
resting and unwinding, enjoying the wilderness.
Read about a stay at Arowhon
Pines here, and scroll down for more
pieces about or inspired by retreats at Arowhon.
Instructor Brian
Henry has been a book editor and creative writing instructor
for more than 25 years. He publishes Quick Brown Fox, Canada's most popular
blog for writers, teaches creative writing at Ryerson University and has led
workshops everywhere from Boston to Buffalo and from Saskatoon, to Toronto, to
Saint John.
But Brian's proudest boast is that he has helped many of his
students get their first book published and launch their careers as authors.
For more pieces about, or inspired by, Brian’s writing retreats, weekly courses and
Saturday workshops, see here (and scroll down).
Seminar fee:
For the
full 4-day, 3-night retreat: $243.36 plus hst
Accommodation fee (including accommodation
and food, plus use of all the resort’s facilities): $637 per night for single occupancy; $510 per night per person for double occupancy, plus 15% service charge (in lieu of tipping), then plus 13%
HST.
Book early – space is strictly limited! Full
receipts issued.
For more information or to register, email: brianhenry@sympatico.ca
If you have questions or need more information
about the accommodations,
phone the resort: 1-866-633-5661
Who can attend the retreat?
Everyone interested in developing their writing
skills is welcome to attend, whether you're aspiring writer or an accomplished
author or simply enjoy writing as a hobby. There is no requirement for you
to have been previously published or even to have an intention to publish.
I'm a poet / playwright / other
writer. Is this retreat for me?
The retreat is open to anyone who enjoys writing.
Instruction will focus on narrative writing; i.e., stories, whether fiction or
memoir. But if you’re an essayist or poet or whatever, you’re entirely
welcome.
Should I bring my work in progress?
Yes! If you have an on-going writing project,
bring it with you. Bring more than you expect to get to; you'll have lots of
time for writing. Besides, you may want to switch projects or share a project
that’s just started or one that’s all done, except for reading it to a small,
appreciative audience. If you’re not currently working on anything, don’t
worry, we’ll get you writing.
Should I bring my laptop?
Yes, if you prefer to work on your laptop. If you
prefer to work on paper bring that. Or go crazy and bring both your laptop and
your notebook. Bring everything you might want.
Can you cater to specific dietary
requirements?
Yes, just let the staff at Arowhon Pines know
beforehand about your needs.
I want to stay longer or arrive
early. Is that possible?
Yes, absolutely. There is plenty to see and do in
the park, and Arowhon Pines is a lovely base from which to
explore. Arowhon will keep the same rate throughout your stay.
Is there cell phone reception and
WIFI?
Arowhon Pines is an island of luxury, but in the
midst of wilderness, so spotty cell phone at best and no WIFI, though there are
landlines and there’s access to the resort’s Internet connection. (Contact the
resort for details.) But be sure to have your
writing projects on your laptop or on paper when you come, not
stored in the Cloud.
How about alcohol?
Arowhon does not serve alcohol, but guests are
welcome to bring their own wine, beer or whatever to have with meals or back at
your cabin or wherever. (Though do note that Hemingway’s advice to write drunk,
mostly produces drivel.)
Can I bring my spouse?
Certainly. Just let them know you’ll be spending
most of your time writing, (though you will have some free time every day), and
make sure they enjoy superb food, beautiful wilderness, and relaxing on the
deck or the dock or out on a canoe as they glide past a moose munching on water
lilies.
For more information about the
resort, visit their website here.
For more information or to register, email: brianhenry@sympatico.ca
To book your accommodation at Arowhon Pines, phone
toll free: 1-866-633-5661
And be sure to tell them you're with the writing retreat!
Or you can book on-line here. ~ But be sure to also
phone and tell them you're with Brian’s writing retreat!
See all of Brian’s upcoming weekly writing classes,
one-day workshops, and weekend retreats here.
