Escape to Inspiration: Costa Rica Writers Retreat 2025

February 1-7, 2025

Location: Amatierra Resort, Costa Rica
Hosted by: Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library (KVML)

Discover Your Voice in Paradise

Amatierra ResortStep into a world where creativity meets tranquility.

The Costa Rica Writers Retreat offers a unique opportunity to unplug, unwind, and tap into your creative potential amidst the stunning landscapes of Costa Rica. Designed for writers of all levels, this seven-night retreat is an immersive experience that combines the wit and wisdom of Kurt Vonnegut with the serene beauty of Amatierra Resort.

Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just beginning to explore your creative voice, this retreat will provide you with the tools, inspiration, and community you need to advance your craft.

What to Expect

Writing Workshops: Led by Julia Whitehead, Founder and CEO of KVML, and Greg Kuhn, KVML Board Member, our workshops will guide you through character development, dialogue, satire, and more. You’ll explore Kurt Vonnegut’s works and learn to incorporate his techniques into your own writing.

Yoga and Wellness: Find balance with daily yin yoga sessions in Amatierra’s beautiful yoga studio. Optional hatha yoga classes and wellness services such as massages and nature hikes are available (with fees) to enhance your retreat experience.

Cultural Excursions: Explore Costa Rica’s vibrant landscapes with guided hikes, a trip to Jaco Beach, and a local waterfall excursion. These experiences are designed to refresh your mind and inspire your writing.

Communal Dining: Savor healthy, gourmet meals prepared with local ingredients. Share stories and connect with fellow writers over dinner each evening.

Amatierra: Your Sanctuary in the Jungle

Nestled in the lush mountains of Costa Rica, Amatierra Resort is more than just a retreat center—it’s a sanctuary for the soul. With comfortable suites, breathtaking views, and a nurturing environment, Amatierra offers the perfect setting for both relaxation and creativity.

Accommodations

Each suite at Amatierra is designed to blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings, featuring private terraces that open to the serene beauty of the jungle. Suites include two queen beds, separated by a half-wall for added privacy. Participants will share a room with another retreat attendee, allowing you to connect more deeply with a fellow writer while enjoying the peaceful retreat atmosphere.

Itinerary Highlights

  • Welcome drinks and introductions
  • Resort tour and settling in
  • Evening: Welcome Dinner
  • Morning workshop on Kurt Vonnegut’s legacy
  • Afternoon free time for writing, hiking, or optional excursions
  • Evening: Crafting Memorable Characters workshop
  • Guided hike and Jaco Beach excursion
  • Evening: Movie night with a screening of “Who Am I This Time”
  • Morning workshop on Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron”
  • Afternoon free time for relaxation or additional services
  • Evening: Techniques for writing authentic dialogue workshop
  • Morning workshop on writing compelling endings and editing tips
  • Afternoon waterfall excursion
  • Evening: Writing about nature and Costa Rica’s literary heroes workshop
  • Morning and afternoon: Free time for reflection and writing
  • Evening: Final writing exercises and salsa dance fiesta
  • Breakfast and departure

FAQ

Your fee includes transportation to and from San Jose airport, accommodations for 7 nights, all meals at Amatierra, writing workshops, daily yin yoga sessions, excursions to Jaco Beach and a local waterfall, and one optional 30-minute consultation session with Julia Whitehead.

No, participants are responsible for arranging their own flights to San Jose Airport, Costa Rica.

Participants will share a room with another attendee. Each suite at Amatierra includes two queen beds separated by a half-wall for added privacy. This shared room arrangement is designed to foster connections and create a communal experience among participants. If you have a specific roommate request, please let us know at the time of registration, and we will do our best to accommodate your preferences.

Absolutely! Whether you’re coming alone or with a friend, this retreat is designed to foster connections and community.

The $500 deposit is non-refundable and will be applied to your final bill. The remaining balance is due by November 20th, 2024. If payment is not received by this date, your space will be forfeited.

Yes, the retreat has a limited number of spots to ensure an intimate and personalized experience for all participants. If the retreat sells out, we will create a waitlist. If a spot becomes available, we will notify those on the waitlist in the order they signed up. We recommend securing your spot early to avoid disappointment, but if you find the retreat fully booked, please join the waitlist, and we’ll keep you informed.

Bring your favorite writing materials—journals, pens, and a laptop if you prefer digital writing. Don’t forget comfortable clothing for yoga and excursions, as well as any personal items you may need for a week in the jungle.

Kathi Badertscher, PhD

Director of Graduate Programs at the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
Kathi Badertscher, PhD, is Director of Graduate Programs at the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Dr. Badertscher teaches a variety of BA, MA, and doctoral courses, including Applying Ethics in Philanthropy and History of Philanthropy. She has participated in several Teaching Vonnegut workshops and is a member of the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library. Dr. Badertscher has been a guest speaker on ethics in philanthropy, including at the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners – Indianapolis Council; Association of Fundraising Professionals – Indiana Chapter; and Zhou Enlai School of Government, Nankai University, Tianjin, China. In 2019 she received IUPUI Office for Women, Women’s Leadership Award for Newcomer Faculty. In 2019 and 2020 she received the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, Graduate Teaching Award.
Dr. Badertscher’s publications include “Fundraising for Advocacy and Social Change,” co-authored with Shariq Siddiqui in Achieving Excellence in Fundraising, 5th ed., 2022; “Insulin at 100: Indianapolis, Toronto, Woods Hole, and the ‘Insulin Road,’ co-authored with Christopher Rutty, Pharmacy in History (2020); and three articles in the Indiana Magazine of History: “A New Wishard Is on the Way,” “Evaline Holliday and the Work of Community Service,” and “Social Networks in Indianapolis during the Progressive Era.” Her chapters on social welfare history will appear in three upcoming edited volumes on the history of philanthropy, including “The Legacy of Edna Henry and Her Contributions to the IU School of Social Work,” Women at Indiana University: Views of the Past and the Future, edited by Andrea Walton, Indiana University Press, 2022 (forthcoming). Dr. Badertscher is also the Philanthropy and Nonprofits Consulting Editor for the forthcoming Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis, edited by David J. Bodenhamer and Elizabeth Van Allen, Indiana University Press, 2021. Dr. Badertscher is an active volunteer in the Indianapolis community. At present, she is a Coburn Place Safe Haven Board Member and a Children’s Bureau/Families First Brand and Marketing Advisor. Dr. Badertscher holds the MA in History from Indiana University and the MA and PhD in philanthropic studies from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.

Volunteer With KVML

Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library Volunteer Application

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