Community Retreat with Meg Medina: Celebrating Latinx Stories in Kidlit

In-person 4-day/3-night retreat

Thoughtfully shaped by host Meg Medina and special guests, this gathering honors the richness and power of Latina, Latino, Latine, and Latinx voices in children’s books.

Why join this community retreat?

What began in 2019 as a beautiful idea from authors Alex Villasante, NoNieqa Ramos, and M. García Peña has grown into a meaningful annual space for connection and creativity. In its sixth year, Meg Medina will host the program for children’s book authors and illustrators. As Meg shares, “You are moving through the world as a person who is writing a long love letter to children, and to the child you once were. This is important work.”

This lightly scheduled retreat includes optional, informal group activities and is designed to give you time to create, rest, and explore in community. You are welcome to bring multiple projects at any stage of the process, allowing you to choose what you want to work on during your stay.

At least one week before the retreat, you will receive access to a virtual classroom where you can introduce yourself to fellow writers and engage with Boyds Mills resources, including the Community Standards. Boyds Mills is committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment, and respectful engagement with fellow creatives, faculty, and staff is expected.

Please bring any projects you wish to work on, whether they are at the idea stage, in draft form, or under revision.

As an in-person event at the Retreat Center, this experience offers a chance to step away from everyday life and fully enter retreat mode. It is important to note that this is not a jam-packed workshop; instead, it is a working retreat that blends learning opportunities with generous time for independent work.

Rooted in a mission to positively impact children by amplifying the voices of storytellers who inform, educate, and inspire, this program invites you to grow, ground yourself in community, and connect with others doing meaningful creative work.

Day One: Sunday, May 31, 2026

• 3 – 5pm Eastern: Arrival
• 5:30pm: Appetizers followed by dinner
• 7:15pm: Welcome and introductions from Meg Medina

Day Two: Monday, June 1, 2026

• Morning: Yoga (optional), breakfast, retreat time
• Afternoon: Retreat time, informal writing/drawing together with retreat assistant Lindsay Cordero
• Evening: Appetizers & dinner
• After dinner: Fireside chat led by Ernesto Cisneros

Day Three: Tuesday, June 2, 2026

• Morning: Breakfast, retreat time
• Afternoon: Retreat time, group photo, optional writing together with or without writing prompts
• Evening: Appetizers & dinner
• After dinner: Open mic & sharing

Day Four: Wednesday, June 3, 2026

• Morning: Breakfast, packing and retreat time, closing remarks from Meg Medina
• Afternoon: Lunch and farewells