Guiding Principles
Science Matters
All our decisions are guided by the data on the appearance and impact of the virus and ongoing research regarding vaccination and other mitigation strategies. In addition, we follow the guidance offered by the CDC, NIAID, WHO to Institutions of Higher Education, Event Planners, and Travelers to assess the risk involved in small scale retreating.
Continual Monitoring
Retreats require all of us—participants, facilitators, and travel workers—to make long term plans and commitments. However, the hallmarks of the COVID-19 pandemic have been constant change, conflicting advice, and uncertainty about the impact of our choices. Therefore, we are actively monitoring research findings, news reports, and health organization guidance and reserve the right to change our policies as the situation demands.
Shared Responsibility
Safety isn’t something we can create on our own. It’s something we must co-create together. Therefore, the single biggest determinant of any InkWell decision or policy will be the health of the people connected to our retreats--including you, your families, your communities, and the travel industry workers who make retreating possible. We expect all participants to adhere to our health and policies while on retreat.
All our decisions are guided by the data on the appearance and impact of the virus and ongoing research regarding vaccination and other mitigation strategies. In addition, we follow the guidance offered by the CDC, NIAID, WHO to Institutions of Higher Education, Event Planners, and Travelers to assess the risk involved in small scale retreating.
Continual Monitoring
Retreats require all of us—participants, facilitators, and travel workers—to make long term plans and commitments. However, the hallmarks of the COVID-19 pandemic have been constant change, conflicting advice, and uncertainty about the impact of our choices. Therefore, we are actively monitoring research findings, news reports, and health organization guidance and reserve the right to change our policies as the situation demands.
Shared Responsibility
Safety isn’t something we can create on our own. It’s something we must co-create together. Therefore, the single biggest determinant of any InkWell decision or policy will be the health of the people connected to our retreats--including you, your families, your communities, and the travel industry workers who make retreating possible. We expect all participants to adhere to our health and policies while on retreat.
Policies
Vaccination: All in-person retreat participants must provide proof of full vaccination within one week of registration. No exceptions.
Boosters: We’re currently formulating our policy on vaccine boosters and may require them depending on what the research indicates about the long-term efficacy of initial vaccines.
Masking: While on retreat, masks must be worn in accordance with the retreat destination’s local health and safety requirements. This may include wearing masks while indoors.
Social Distancing: We have several measures in place for participants who want to practice social distancing:
Retreat Center Policies: Our retreat center requires employees and contractors who are not fully vaccinated to wear masks indoors. They also continue to follow standard cleaning procedures.
Cancellations:
If InkWell cancels or postpones a retreat, you may do one of the following:
If participants cancel their registration:
Participants who do not supply proof of vaccination status by the due date will be subject to the standard cancellation policy.
Travel Insurance: We don’t require travel insurance. But since your retreat is non-refundable after a certain date, we strongly encourage you to 1) purchase it, 2) in an amount that covers all your travel expenses, 3) immediately after registering for the retreat, so that you receive the best coverage options.
Policy Revisions
Because the situation with the COVID-19 virus is so unpredictable, what makes sense today may not make sense tomorrow. We therefore reserve the right to change these policies without prior notice, to ensure the health and safety of our participants, our partners, and our communities.
Boosters: We’re currently formulating our policy on vaccine boosters and may require them depending on what the research indicates about the long-term efficacy of initial vaccines.
Masking: While on retreat, masks must be worn in accordance with the retreat destination’s local health and safety requirements. This may include wearing masks while indoors.
Social Distancing: We have several measures in place for participants who want to practice social distancing:
- The reservation of our retreat center is exclusive to our group, meaning no one outside of our group will be present, except the retreat center staff.
- No housekeeping service is supplied during your stay at the retreat center, so only those you invite in will visit your room.
- Our retreat center includes indoor and patio seating for dining, as well as multiple indoor and outdoor spaces for writing.
Retreat Center Policies: Our retreat center requires employees and contractors who are not fully vaccinated to wear masks indoors. They also continue to follow standard cleaning procedures.
Cancellations:
If InkWell cancels or postpones a retreat, you may do one of the following:
- transfer your retreat payment to a future online or in-person retreat.
- receive a full refund to the original form of payment.
If participants cancel their registration:
- 90 days or more prior to the start of the writing retreat, they receive: 100% credit for the cost of the retreat toward another writing retreat within 12 months.
- 89-45 days prior to the start of the writing retreat, they receive: 50% credit of the cost of the retreat toward another writing retreat within 12 months, and will forfeit the remainder.
- Fewer than 45 days prior to the start of the writing retreat, they receive: no refunds or credits.
Participants who do not supply proof of vaccination status by the due date will be subject to the standard cancellation policy.
Travel Insurance: We don’t require travel insurance. But since your retreat is non-refundable after a certain date, we strongly encourage you to 1) purchase it, 2) in an amount that covers all your travel expenses, 3) immediately after registering for the retreat, so that you receive the best coverage options.
Policy Revisions
Because the situation with the COVID-19 virus is so unpredictable, what makes sense today may not make sense tomorrow. We therefore reserve the right to change these policies without prior notice, to ensure the health and safety of our participants, our partners, and our communities.
Health & Safety FAQs
What if my retreat gets cancelled for low attendance due to guest cancellations?
Our standard cancellation policy (above) applies.
What if I cancel my retreat because of travel restrictions?
Our standard cancellation policy (above) applies.
What if I’m booked on a retreat but don’t want to travel?
Our standard cancellation policy (above) applies.
What if I get sick and must quarantine?
We will follow local authorities' policies and guidelines and assist you as much as possible. We strongly recommend checking your travel insurance policy before you the trip, to determine what level of insurance coverage you may receive if you are quarantined or get sick while traveling. Please direct all coverage questions directly to your provider.
To which retreat do these policies apply?
The health and safety policies apply to the in-person sessions of Composed.
Our standard cancellation policy (above) applies.
What if I cancel my retreat because of travel restrictions?
Our standard cancellation policy (above) applies.
What if I’m booked on a retreat but don’t want to travel?
Our standard cancellation policy (above) applies.
What if I get sick and must quarantine?
We will follow local authorities' policies and guidelines and assist you as much as possible. We strongly recommend checking your travel insurance policy before you the trip, to determine what level of insurance coverage you may receive if you are quarantined or get sick while traveling. Please direct all coverage questions directly to your provider.
To which retreat do these policies apply?
The health and safety policies apply to the in-person sessions of Composed.
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© 2018 InkWell Academic Writing Retreats
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