Welcome, Writers!
We hope you will join us in Gambier this summer! This page will answer a number of questions you may have about check-in and registration, what to bring with you, how the program will function, and what summer life in Gambier will be like.
If you haven’t yet guaranteed your place in our workshops by submitting your enrollment form and deposit, please do so as soon as possible. Please see your acceptance email for information about accessing your enrollment form. You may pay your non-refundable deposit, tuition balance, housing supplements, and shuttle fees at our online store. To pay online, please click on the appropriate store link below:
- Session One Store (June 7–13)
- Session Two Store (July 5–11)
We prefer online payments, but you may also pay by check (payable to “Kenyon Review” and mailed to our office).
General Information
- Program Overview
- COVID-19 Information
- Tuition and Fees
- Cancellation Policy
- Directions to Gambier
- Arrival
- Departure
- Accommodations
- Dietary and Accessibility Needs
- What to Bring
- Computers and Cell Phones
Program Overview
The Kenyon Review Writers Workshop is a marvelous opportunity for serious writing and mentoring, and for developing a community with other writers. Our challenging workshops focus on new work rather than revision from work that was started before the workshop begins. Workshops are complemented by time for personal writing, reading, and reflection during the program. This is the deliberate philosophy of our program: we believe that for growth and development to occur, the opportunity must exist for extended, private writing and reading.
Intensive workshops are held for three hours daily from Monday morning through Saturday morning. Participants exchange and critique each other’s work, engage in writing exercises, and discuss material distributed by the workshop leader.
After morning workshops, lunch and the afternoon are left open. During the lunch break, participants may choose to extend workshop conversations in small groups; your time is your own. In addition, each writer will meet for an individual session one afternoon with his or her workshop leader.
We gather for dinner in Peirce Hall, and then attend evening readings. Readings by workshop leaders, fellows, and workshop participants are held nightly from 7:00-9:00 p.m.
COVID-19 Information
Your health is important to us, so we are working closely with Kenyon College to provide a safe environment for everyone (participants, faculty, staff, and the surrounding community). We will follow Kenyon’s guidelines based on the Campus Activity Level at the time of our program. Our campus is currently at Level 0. If the Campus Activity Level goes up before or during our program, we will adjust our protocols accordingly. You can see a full description of the levels and protocols here.
In following Kenyon College’s requirements to be on campus this summer, every guest must accept the terms and conditions of the college’s COVID-19 Waiver, which will be included in your pre-arrival materials. Acceptance of the assumption of risk, release and waiver of liability is required for permission to participate and attend this summer’s campus programs.
Tuition and Fees
The cost of the workshops is $2,545, which covers tuition, housing in a single private room, and three meals per day. Travel expenses are the responsibility of the participant. Returning participants receive a $250 discount.
You may pay your non-refundable deposit, tuition balance, housing supplements, and shuttle fees on our online store. We prefer online payments, but you may also pay by check (payable to “Kenyon Review” and mailed to Kenyon Review Writers Workshop, 102 W. Wiggin St. Gambier, OH 43022).
Cancellation Policy
Session 1 (June 7–13, 2026)
If you cancel your enrollment before May 20th, you will forfeit your initial deposit. If you cancel on or after May 20th, we will keep the initial deposit and an additional $500 cancellation fee, but return the remaining balance paid. There will be no refund of tuition on or after May 25th and no refund in the event of early departure.
Session 2 (July 5–11, 2026)
If you cancel your enrollment before June 1st, you will forfeit your initial deposit. If you cancel on or after June 1st, we will keep the initial deposit and an additional $500 cancellation fee, but return the remaining balance paid. There will be no refund of tuition on or after June 19th and no refund in the event of early departure.
Directions to Gambier
Gambier is located about 45 miles northeast of Columbus, Ohio. The closest airport is John Glenn International Airport (CMH), about an hour’s drive from Gambier. There is no public transportation from the airport to Gambier, so we provide a shuttle service. There is an $80 round-trip ($40 one-way) shuttle fee for this service that will be included in the final balance payment for the program. If you plan to drive to campus, please click here for directions to Gambier.
Arrival
Registration and check-in will open at 12:00 p.m. Please plan to check in to pick up your room key and registration materials at Gund Commons no later than 4:00 p.m. There will be an opening dinner and special reading on arrival day; workshops begin the following morning at 8:30 a.m.
Arrivals by plane should be scheduled no later than 2:00 p.m. when possible. Several shuttles will be scheduled throughout the day. If you must book a flight that arrives after 5:00 p.m., you may be charged an additional fee for the shuttle.
Departure
The final workshop will end at 10:00 a.m. on the final day of the program. Because of other groups needing our housing facilities, participants must check out of campus housing before Saturday morning workshops begin. If you are flying, you should schedule your return flight after 2:00 p.m., if possible.
Accommodations
You’ll stay in air-conditioned, furnished housing on Kenyon’s stunning campus. Housing options and prices vary (see below). Please let us know if you need ground-floor accommodation due to health issues. We make every effort to meet your needs.
The workshop fee for all workshops includes the cost of a single private room and shared bathroom in The North Campus Apartments. Each townhouse apartment features a first-floor shared common room and full kitchen, three single bedrooms on the second and third floors, plus two shared bathrooms.
Apartment-style housing is available for a supplemental fee. Thomas Hall is one of Kenyon’s newest housing options: each Thomas Hall apartment features a shared bathroom, a full kitchen, and a living room area. There is also elevator access, common lounges, and laundry facilities. (Add $300.00 to the base price of the workshop.)
You may also choose to select the on-campus housing arrangement of an air-conditioned single room and a hall bathroom in McBride Hall, one of Kenyon’s air-conditioned dormitories. This option comes with a $100 discount off the price of your tuition.
If you prefer a hotel room or bed-and-breakfast, please let us know. You will be responsible for booking your own housing and will receive a discount of $150 on your workshop tuition fee. Local housing options (The Kenyon Inn, Rogan House and the Gambier House B&B) fill quickly. Mount Vernon, a ten-minute drive from campus, also has hotel and B&B options including the Mount Vernon Grand Hotel.
Several laundry facilities are available on campus ($3.50 in quarters per load), and detergent is available at the Village Market or college bookstore.
Dietary and Accessibility Needs
We will be using the Kenyon College Dining Service for most of our meals. If you have special dietary needs–vegetarian, vegan, allergies, or any other restrictions—please note these on your enrollment form. We will make every effort to meet your needs. We will also have several catered dinners and receptions as well as the final closing day picnic.
Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner, included in the cost of the workshop, are served in Kenyon’s historic Peirce Hall. There are also several restaurants on campus including Wiggin Street Coffee, Gambier Deli, the Kenyon Inn, and the Village Inn. There is a small kitchen area in the apartments and in the common room of dorms, but it is not stocked in any way. If you plan to use the kitchen, please bring your own cooking supplies (including pots, silverware, plates). Groceries are available within walking distance at the Village Market.
Kenyon College is a walking campus. Most buildings, including dorms, apartments, the dining hall, and classroom and event spaces, are within a half mile or less of each other. Parking on campus is very limited. There are no elevators in most dorms and apartments, and many bedrooms and bathrooms are located on upper floors. If you will need a first floor bedroom and bathroom, or have any concerns about accessibility or mobility, please note this on the medical information portion of the enrollment form so we can be sure to accommodate your needs.
What to Bring
Towels, bed linens, a pillow, and a blanket will be provided but you may want to bring linens (including a pillow or additional blanket) of your own for additional comfort and better quality. The bed size is extra-long twin. Linens may be shipped ahead to our office address:
Kenyon Review Writers Workshop
102 W. Wiggin St.
Finn House
Kenyon College
Gambier, OH 43022
Clothes should be casual and comfortable. You may want to bring a dress-casual outfit for some occasions. Summers in Gambier can be hot, so shorts and light shirts are essential, but evenings can become quite cold. Since most campus facilities are air-conditioned, a sweater, sweatshirt, or additional blanket can come in handy. Comfortable walking shoes are a must. You may want to bring a swimsuit if you wish to use the indoor pool.
Recommended Items:
- blanket or additional pillow
- laptop
- bug repellant
- flashlight (in case of power outage)
- any medications for allergies etc.
- paper, notebooks, pens
- small reading light
- toiletries (including soap)
Optional Items:
- alarm clock
- camera
- bicycle
- yoga mat
- shower shoes
Computers and Cell Phones
Participants will have access to Kenyon’s computer labs, which offer printers and paper, but hours of operation will vary. Bringing your own laptop will allow you the flexibility to work in your room and around campus. You will have wireless internet access throughout campus.
Participants will not have landline telephone access in dorms and apartments. Most participants find that their cell phones work on campus; Verizon and AT&T get good reception. If you have difficulty with cell phone reception, feel free to leave a message at Kenyon’s security office (740-427-5000) and a message can be relayed. Our apologies in advance.
All mail, including tuition payments by check (made payable to “Kenyon Review”) and boxes shipped ahead, should be sent to:
Kenyon Review Writers Workshop
102 W. Wiggin St.
Finn House
Kenyon College
Gambier, OH 43022
For more information, call, email or write:
Kenyon Review Writers Workshop
Finn House
102 W. Wiggin St.
Kenyon College
Gambier, Ohio 43022-9623
Telephone: (740) 427-5522
Fax: (740) 427-5417
writersworkshops@kenyonreview.org