Retreat FAQs

We are 15 minutes from the Harpers Ferry Train Station, one hour from Dulles Airport, and 1 ½ hours from BWI airport. We are just over a one-hour drive from Northern Virginia, Montgomery County in Maryland, and Washington, DC. We are just 2 1/2 hours from Richmond, VA

All cancellations must be submitted in writing to ellen.weeren@gmail.com.

More than 90 days before arrival:
90% of registration fees refunded (10% cancellation fee applies).

60–90 days before arrival:
50% of registration fees refunded, unless we successfully fill your spot from our waitlist with a participant who pays full price. If your spot is filled, you’ll receive 75% of your registration fees as a refund (10% cancellation fee applies).

Less than 60 days before arrival:
Registration fees are non-refundable, unless we successfully fill your spot from our waitlist with a participant who pays full price. If your spot is filled, you’ll receive 75% of your registration fees as a refund (10% cancellation fee applies).

Cancellations within two weeks of arrival:
Refunds cannot be guaranteed. In most cases, if another participant registers for your spot and pays an equivalent fee, you will receive an 80% refund within one week of the workshop or retreat’s end.

Unfortunately, no. But we can put you in touch with private carriers that offer those services.

No. There is a fully-equipped kitchen that you have access to for the meals you want to prepare. For those you don’t want to prepare, there are a number of restaurants within 10-15 minutes of the retreat space.

There is no smoking or vaping inside, in outdoor common areas, or near entrances.

No Pets are allowed on the property.

Generally, no. But there is a printer onsite so we can talk about reasonable costs depending on the size of the document(s) you need/want to print.

Yes, several. Charles Town, Shepherdstown, Harpers Ferry, and Shepherd University all have libraries within 15 (driving) minutes.

You’ll be within 10 – 15 minutes (driving) distance from a number of stores including Walmart, Food Lion, Martins, Aldi, and Weiss. Instacart also delivers from those and others including Costco, Target, Office Depot, etc. As does GrubHub and DoorDash.

Please see the Things to Do Page for a list of activities around Harpers Ferry, Shepherdstown and Charles Town.

When you need a break, you can take a walk on the property. There are also common areas inside and outside. There are several outdoor games like cornhole, bocce, and Yard Yahtzee.

Use of watercraft and floatation devices, belonging Ellen is not allowed for insurance purposes. However, you can bring your. own equipment and assume all risk.

Yes. You’ll be able to write in peace and quiet on ten private acres. Our section of the river is not on any of the adventure center routes so you will rarely even see anyone on the water (except major holidays and beautiful weekend days).

When writers are here, only writers are here. The space is available to rent as an AirBNB (at higher rates) when the rooms are empty.