ABOUT THE WORKSHOP

LEARNING TARGETS:

• Learn to identify the characteristics of a successful personal story.
• Refine your knowledge of the themes and styles of various nonfiction and adventure writers.
• Explore the process of being published in traditional and beyond-traditional media outlets.
• Develop an understanding of the San Juan Islands and the nuances of its associated ecosystems, human histories, and contemporary challenges and issues facing the region. 
• Consider your moral or ethical accountability for protection of wild spaces, as well as the impact that societal, ecological, and personal decisions or forces can have on those places

The 2022 San Juan Islands Workshop will feature daily craft lectures from Brendan Leonard, generative exercises, individualized workshopping sessions, and ample opportunities for discussion, both on and off the water. We will consider the qualities of successful narrative, the role of humor in our storytelling, and how to clarify our voices in a crowded, evolving media landscape.

An element of personal challenge is fundamental to a Freeflow experience. To that end, the workshop incorporates movement – paddling and walking – as well as intentional exploration of place, as individuals and as a group.

The cohort will convene two times via Zoom in the month prior to meeting on San Juan Island for the field experience. Participants will receive a list of preparatory readings, podcasts, and films to be reviewed before the workshop.

The workshop is accredited through the University of Montana, and optional college credit is available for undergraduate and graduate students.

The course may also count toward continuing ed credits for professionals in some fields. Check with your organization or institution to see if the workshop can count toward your professional development.

PLAN YOUR ADVENTURE:

Afternoon of May 7 – afternoon of May 12 Field experience sea kayaking in the San Juan Islands

Evening of May 12 – morning of May 13 Decompression + final evening with the cohort near Friday Harbor + breakfast the next morning

IS THIS COURSE A GOOD FIT FOR YOU?

• All journalists, writers, and storytellers from all backgrounds are welcome: Established and emerging writers of all genres are encouraged to apply.
• Journalists, nonprofit communicators, university writing students, science writers, creative writers, and environmental writers will find this workshop valuable.
• There is no prerequisite of publication or formal writing education, but students should be excited to learn about storytelling and publishing.

COSTS + DEADLINES

Because we believe teachers and students need regenerative outdoor experiences more than most, Freeflow always extends a small discount to contracted educators and enrolled students. We also offer a small discount to our alumni. Because we believe in paying our instructors, facilitators, support staff, and guides an equitable wage, we do not offer individual discounts that compromise the integrity of those wages.

If you need financial support on your Freeflow course, we invite you to read about our scholarship offerings here. Please check our scholarship page often. We’re also very happy to email or talk on the phone with you about which scholarships might be right for you!

We are also offering one full-tuition scholarship, open to anyone who experiences a barrier to outdoor pursuits, creative work, and / or humor writing, to be used on Brendan’s 2022 San Juan Islands Workshop. You may apply for this scholarship here. If you have trouble with the application, you can contact us at [email protected] or 406.808.8025 and we will help you.

The program cost includes:

• daily craft talks + one-on-one sessions with Brendan Leonard and Freeflow staff
• pre-course logistical support + reading list
• all meals + snacks from dinner on May 7 through breakfast on May 13
• professional kayaking / naturalist guides
• all taxes + government access fees
• all camping gear, waterproof bags, lifejackets, and all specialized sea kayaking gear

Guide gratuities are not included in the program cost. We strongly suggest giving your river guides some love, and we are happy to discuss norms for tipping – just ask.

Registration and payment deadline is APRIL 1, 2022. Capacity on this course is 12 students, and we will close registration once the roster is full.

We ask for a non-refundable $500 deposit to save your space once you’ve been accepted into the workshop.

All deposits and payments are non-refundable. Payment plans are available. Payments can be made by mailing in an old-fashioned check, or by credit card or bank transfer via the link in your electronic invoice. Please review our cancellation policy before committing to this adventure.