2026 Kansas Writing Convention
Save the Date
October 2-4, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Save the Date
October 2-4, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does the registration price include?
A: Registration includes housing for two nights, use of the Rock Springs grounds from Friday, starting at 4:00pm to Sunday at 1:00pm, and meals for the duration of the event.
You may "add on" an optional 24 hours of retreat time (which begins on Thursday at 4:00 p.m.) when you register.
Q: What about scholarships?
A: Kansas Authors Club offers scholarships to those who need them. All you have to do is check a box on the registration form indicating how much you can comfortably pay. Although we do not guarantee that all requests will be met, it is our goal to make the convention accessible to all members who wishe to attend.
"We were met with a group that made us feel like not only welcome but glad we were there. The site proved to be very accommodating and exactly like what we wanted, a place to relax and not be stressed.
All areas of the venue were very clean, well lit, and comfortable. We knew before arriving it was a facility which housed large groups of 4 H camps, church youth groups and numerous other retreats and not a five-star hotel.
All of the meetings started and ended on time and ran very smoothly including all the audio vision equipment. All of the speakers were extremely knowledgeable, made their presentations in such a fashion to keep everyone’s attention and interest. We could definitely see that a whole lot of attention was given to all the details.
I am very glad that I have joined the Kansas Authors Club and attended this year’s annual convention."
--Robert and Beverly Phillips
Q: What are this year's housing options?
Leadership Lodge features a large shared living area with furniture and suites, each containing a queen bed and a single bed (a bunk, but we are not asking anyone to sleep on the top level) on the main floor and two single beds in the loft.
We will assign three people to each suite. Two will share the suite space on the main floor, and one will sleep in the loft. Each suite has two showers, a toilet, sinks, desk space, and lounge furniture.
Bedding is included in our retreat package. You may wish to bring your own quilt or a favorite pillow if it helps you sleep better, but the essentials will be there.
A: Registration includes housing for two nights, use of the Rock Springs grounds from Friday, starting at 4:00pm to Sunday at 1:00pm, and meals for the duration of the event.
You may "add on" an optional 24 hours of retreat time (which begins on Thursday at 4:00 p.m.) when you register.
Q: What about scholarships?
A: Kansas Authors Club offers scholarships to those who need them. All you have to do is check a box on the registration form indicating how much you can comfortably pay. Although we do not guarantee that all requests will be met, it is our goal to make the convention accessible to all members who wishe to attend.
"We were met with a group that made us feel like not only welcome but glad we were there. The site proved to be very accommodating and exactly like what we wanted, a place to relax and not be stressed.
All areas of the venue were very clean, well lit, and comfortable. We knew before arriving it was a facility which housed large groups of 4 H camps, church youth groups and numerous other retreats and not a five-star hotel.
All of the meetings started and ended on time and ran very smoothly including all the audio vision equipment. All of the speakers were extremely knowledgeable, made their presentations in such a fashion to keep everyone’s attention and interest. We could definitely see that a whole lot of attention was given to all the details.
I am very glad that I have joined the Kansas Authors Club and attended this year’s annual convention."
--Robert and Beverly Phillips
Q: What are this year's housing options?
Leadership Lodge features a large shared living area with furniture and suites, each containing a queen bed and a single bed (a bunk, but we are not asking anyone to sleep on the top level) on the main floor and two single beds in the loft.
We will assign three people to each suite. Two will share the suite space on the main floor, and one will sleep in the loft. Each suite has two showers, a toilet, sinks, desk space, and lounge furniture.
Bedding is included in our retreat package. You may wish to bring your own quilt or a favorite pillow if it helps you sleep better, but the essentials will be there.
LEADERSHIP LODGE - semi-private lofts and shared main floor suites
Leadership Lodge Shared Seating Area
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"There was privacy while feeling a sense of sharing. The private shower was excellent, and the central location was appreciated. I saw the turkey flock on three separate occasions and even found a tail feather deposited in the grass as a gift from the wind sprites." --Catherine Robertson |
Hansen COTTAGE - PrIVATE & MORE RUSTIC
Hansen Cottage is a slightly more rustic, dormitory-style housing. We divide the two-room wings of Hansen into two private suites. This allows some individuals to have doors entering from the exterior of the building and some individuals will have doors entering from the interior. Each room, which technically consists of two sets of bunkbeds, has its own bathroom and shower. Retreat attendees who choose this housing may wish to bring their own chair. Though the rooms have nice ledges that work well for desk space, seating is limted to bed space.
It is important to understand that you will be "off grid" in Hansen cottage. Though Internet and wifi are available throughout parts of campus, it is not reliable at the cabin. If you are not prepared to be without social media, this might not be the spot for you. There are plug ins and the place is laptop friendly, beyond the lack of wifi.
It is important to understand that you will be "off grid" in Hansen cottage. Though Internet and wifi are available throughout parts of campus, it is not reliable at the cabin. If you are not prepared to be without social media, this might not be the spot for you. There are plug ins and the place is laptop friendly, beyond the lack of wifi.
Heatlh Center Private Rooms - rates for single and double occupancy
The Heatlh Center Private Rooms will go fast. There are only 5 of them and they are situated near the dining hall. Each room features a double bed, a shower and bathroom. Rates for these rooms include individual and couple options.
"I was scared. What would it be like to spend the weekend at a 4-H camp in the middle of nowhere, without cell phone reception, surrounded by writers? I figured it would either be Walden Pond or a horror movie. Within 5 minutes of arriving, I knew I wouldn’t have to worry about where to hide. There was a vibe of instant community. I felt immediately welcome. Home. Linzi’s icebreaker games that first night brought out the crazy and wonderful things we all have in common. It was so nice to get to know other writers in real life. Connections were zinging around the room and they continued to build over the weekend. There’s nothing like asking, “What do you write?” to get conversations going. Real conversations.
The lodging was cozy and my roommate was awesome – someone I could look up to as a role model. She gave me the grand tour on the walk to the dining hall; she had gone to camp at Rock Springs Ranch as a kid and still remembered it. That got me thinking about how I had always wanted to go to overnight camp but never had the chance. And now here I was! Treating the little writer inside me to new experiences. New adventures. Two entire days spent nurturing my hidden artist with new writer friends. Such luck! . . .
I filled pages and pages of my notebook with tips, tricks and takeaways for improving craft. But maybe the tool I’ll remember most from the weekend is the inspiration I found in the other members. I am brand new to the Kansas Authors Club but nearly everyone I met blew my mind! I had no idea there were so many creative, talented, hard-working Kansas authors out there. All ages, all backgrounds – everyone ‘doing the thing’ and sharing their experience so generously. It was awesome in the truest sense of the word. I went into the weekend nervous and alone, and left on Sunday with a tote bag full of books written by new friends… and a heart full of gratitude."
--Gretchen Burch
The lodging was cozy and my roommate was awesome – someone I could look up to as a role model. She gave me the grand tour on the walk to the dining hall; she had gone to camp at Rock Springs Ranch as a kid and still remembered it. That got me thinking about how I had always wanted to go to overnight camp but never had the chance. And now here I was! Treating the little writer inside me to new experiences. New adventures. Two entire days spent nurturing my hidden artist with new writer friends. Such luck! . . .
I filled pages and pages of my notebook with tips, tricks and takeaways for improving craft. But maybe the tool I’ll remember most from the weekend is the inspiration I found in the other members. I am brand new to the Kansas Authors Club but nearly everyone I met blew my mind! I had no idea there were so many creative, talented, hard-working Kansas authors out there. All ages, all backgrounds – everyone ‘doing the thing’ and sharing their experience so generously. It was awesome in the truest sense of the word. I went into the weekend nervous and alone, and left on Sunday with a tote bag full of books written by new friends… and a heart full of gratitude."
--Gretchen Burch
Q: Can we choose our own roommates?
A: There will be space on the registration form to designate preferred roommates, but we will not guarantee those arrangements. It will be helpful if you have a conversation about those arrangements prior to registering.
The same goes for the private rooms at Hansen Cottage. Friends may request adjoining rooms or friends and couple may elect to share these rooms. There is no price break for sharing a room at Hansen. We will do our best to fulfill all requests, but we make no guarantees. The earlier you register, the more likely you will get exactly what you want!
A: There will be space on the registration form to designate preferred roommates, but we will not guarantee those arrangements. It will be helpful if you have a conversation about those arrangements prior to registering.
The same goes for the private rooms at Hansen Cottage. Friends may request adjoining rooms or friends and couple may elect to share these rooms. There is no price break for sharing a room at Hansen. We will do our best to fulfill all requests, but we make no guarantees. The earlier you register, the more likely you will get exactly what you want!
Q: Can RSR accommodate my food allergies or alternate meal request?
A: Yes, requests to accommodate food allergies, medical needs, religious restrictions, or attendees who prefer common lifestyle dishes will be met. Prior to the retreat weekend, you will receive a link to submit special food requests and instructions. Meals not requiring special consideration are served buffet-style in the dining hall with breakfast at 8:00am, lunch at 12:00pm, and dinner at 6:00pm.
A: Yes, requests to accommodate food allergies, medical needs, religious restrictions, or attendees who prefer common lifestyle dishes will be met. Prior to the retreat weekend, you will receive a link to submit special food requests and instructions. Meals not requiring special consideration are served buffet-style in the dining hall with breakfast at 8:00am, lunch at 12:00pm, and dinner at 6:00pm.
Q: What about snacks and between meal options?
A: Kansas Authors Club will provide some snacks and refreshments throughout the event. You are welcome and encouraged to bring snacks to share, and it is your responsibility if you will require snacks between mealtimes. Coffee can be made in the lodge and there is a water bottle refill station. There is a refrigerator.
A: Kansas Authors Club will provide some snacks and refreshments throughout the event. You are welcome and encouraged to bring snacks to share, and it is your responsibility if you will require snacks between mealtimes. Coffee can be made in the lodge and there is a water bottle refill station. There is a refrigerator.
Q: How much walking will be required?
A: There are both walking and driving routes on campus. You can spend all or none of the entire weekend on foot, depending on your desires and abilities.
Details for Drivers:
There is plenty of parking at the lodge and at the cabins, and there is also a large parking space near the dining hall. We encourage those who wish to drive to carpool in groups to avoid congestion. There is also space for a few vehicles to park (or drop off) at the building where we will be hosting activities. The distance between the dining hall and the activities hall is quite short and we expect most will be able to walk it, but we can reserve space for vehicles for those who need it.
Details for Walkers:
From the lodge to the hall where we will be hosting most of our events is a distance of approximately 2.5 to 3 city blocks. There are paved and gravel paths to our destinations. The dining hall is up a short hill from the event center, a bit more of a jaunt, but there is plenty of parking and folks are welcome to drive from the lodge to the dining hall if they prefer.
A: There are both walking and driving routes on campus. You can spend all or none of the entire weekend on foot, depending on your desires and abilities.
Details for Drivers:
There is plenty of parking at the lodge and at the cabins, and there is also a large parking space near the dining hall. We encourage those who wish to drive to carpool in groups to avoid congestion. There is also space for a few vehicles to park (or drop off) at the building where we will be hosting activities. The distance between the dining hall and the activities hall is quite short and we expect most will be able to walk it, but we can reserve space for vehicles for those who need it.
Details for Walkers:
From the lodge to the hall where we will be hosting most of our events is a distance of approximately 2.5 to 3 city blocks. There are paved and gravel paths to our destinations. The dining hall is up a short hill from the event center, a bit more of a jaunt, but there is plenty of parking and folks are welcome to drive from the lodge to the dining hall if they prefer.
- Distance from Leadership Lodge to Williams Dining Hall—.3 miles / approximate 7 minute walk
- Distance from Leadership Lodge to event hall—.2 miles / approximate 4 minute walk
- Distance from event hall to dining hall—.2 miles / approximate 5 minute walk (up a bit of a hill)
- The cabins are a bit closer to the dining hall and event hall than Leadership Lodge.
Q: I am looking forward to the convention. What should I bring?
A: Here is a sample packing list:
Clothing: good walking shoes & socks, clothes to accommodate your preferred activities (yoga, walking, hikes, lounging) and layers for indoor/outdoor activities. Recommended attire is casual and comfortable. Watch the weather approaching retreat weekend and prepare accordingly. We do have space reserved for gathering indoors should the weather turn cold or wet. As well as the shared lounge space in Leadership Lodge and Hansen, there is a lobby area in the dining hall and several shelters throughout the grounds.
Extras: a refillable water bottle, an insulated travel mug if you want to keep coffee readily available, an extra quilt for sleeping, a picnic blanket for writing time on the lawn if you are into that sort of thing. Easy-to-carry camping chairs, cushions, and yoga mats are welcome. Don’t forget a hat, sunscreen, and bug spray. Our musical attendees should feel free to bring portable, campfire friendly musical instruments such as harmonicas, bongos, or recorders/flutes.
Writing materials: Laptops and tablets are welcome, as are pens, pencils and sharpeners, pads, notebooks or journals. Come prepared to follow your bliss.
A: Here is a sample packing list:
Clothing: good walking shoes & socks, clothes to accommodate your preferred activities (yoga, walking, hikes, lounging) and layers for indoor/outdoor activities. Recommended attire is casual and comfortable. Watch the weather approaching retreat weekend and prepare accordingly. We do have space reserved for gathering indoors should the weather turn cold or wet. As well as the shared lounge space in Leadership Lodge and Hansen, there is a lobby area in the dining hall and several shelters throughout the grounds.
Extras: a refillable water bottle, an insulated travel mug if you want to keep coffee readily available, an extra quilt for sleeping, a picnic blanket for writing time on the lawn if you are into that sort of thing. Easy-to-carry camping chairs, cushions, and yoga mats are welcome. Don’t forget a hat, sunscreen, and bug spray. Our musical attendees should feel free to bring portable, campfire friendly musical instruments such as harmonicas, bongos, or recorders/flutes.
Writing materials: Laptops and tablets are welcome, as are pens, pencils and sharpeners, pads, notebooks or journals. Come prepared to follow your bliss.
NOTE: The use of tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and illegal drugs is strictly prohibited on RSR grounds.
No firearms or other weapons allowed.
No firearms or other weapons allowed.