Programs

Would you like to lead a retreat or a workshop at the Valle Crucis Conference Center? Send a note to Margaret Love at director@vcconferences.org. We'll be looking for your thoughts on group size, number of days (one-day retreat, multi-day, etc.), number of meals, etc. plus a short description of your program idea.

Keep checking back to this page! We update with new programs every so often. If you want to be in the know about programs through our Very Occasional And Completely Unspammy Email Newsletter, you can sign up for that here.

2026 Programs At A Glance

Our VIP workshop and programming leader is Katerina Whitley, a wonderful author and facilitator.

Writing is often a lonely pursuit. You may find that it's much easier to write in the company of like-minded people and with the guidance of a professional who loves to encourage others in the craft of writing. Women Writers 2026 Workshops invite women of all backgrounds to step away from daily noise and into a quiet mountain setting. You’ll write, listen, and share in a small, supportive circle. Join this group of women writers to capture memories, define thoughts, express emotions, and bring order out of chaos. New writers are most welcome!

There are quarterly 3-day and 1-day options available throughout the year, with lodging and meals included. Commuter and one-day rates are also available.

All lodging will be in the Mission House, and the programming will take place in Crab Orchard Hall. Registration links are below in the list of programs at a glance.

Women Writers Full September Workshop
September 10-12, 2026
Crab Orchard Hall
$290 full program w/ lodging & meals; $190 commuter rate

Women Writers September 1-Day Workshop
September 17, 2026
Crab Orchard Hall
$65 program; $55 optional lodging

Autumn Archetypes & the New Moon: A SoulCollage® Retreat
September 18, 2026
Johnson Hall
$65 program; $55 optional lodging

Holy Hikes Retreat: A Canticle With Creation
October 25-28, 2026
Lodging in the Inn
$486 single room / $411 double room / $261 commuter

Autumn Archetypes & the New Moon: A SoulCollage® Retreat
September 18, 2026
Johnson Hall
$65 program; $55 optional lodging

As summer softens into autumn and the New Moon invites fresh beginnings, this one-day SoulCollage® retreat offers space for reflection, creativity, and renewal. Together, we will explore the archetypal energies of the season and the quiet wisdom of the dark moon through guided meditation, creative practice, journaling, and SoulCollage® card making.

Autumn is a threshold season — a time of gathering, letting go, discernment, and inner listening. Rooted in the contemplative beauty of Valle Crucis Conference Center, this retreat invites participants to slow down, notice what is ripening within, and deepen connection with their own inner wisdom.

No artistic experience is necessary. Whether you are new to SoulCollage® or a longtime practitioner, you are welcome.

Facilitated by Sheree Sloop, a Certified SoulCollage® and Labyrinth Facilitator trained by Catherine Anderson and Lauren Artress. For over fourteen years, Sheree has created contemplative and welcoming spaces that weave together creativity, symbolism, storytelling, and spiritual reflection. A spiritual seeker, mixed media artist, quilter, and co-host of a weekly virtual labyrinth walk gathering that has met continually for over six years, Sheree invites participants into gentle practices of listening, creativity, and inner discovery. Sheree is a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Wilkesboro, North Carolina.

Program costs cover a wonderful facilitator, program materials, snacks, and lunch. Optional night-before lodging is available in the Mission House for $55.

A note on the platform we use for registration: The site will ask you for a "tip" to support Zeffy's platform. You can select "Other" and choose 0% for the amount!

Holy Hikes Retreat: A Canticle With Creation
October 25-28, 2026
Lodging in the Inn
$491 single room / $416 double room / $261 commuter

We can learn to lead our lives like songs on the land! Led by Charles and Kathy Hulin, this retreat is in dialogue with traditions associated with Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi, giving participants opportunities to connect imaginatively with creation. Being together with God and one another through beautiful hikes, teaching times, and reflective activities will lead participants to envision and express something of the spirit of Francis and Clare in their own lives and contexts. Prayer services will include liturgies of the Episcopal Church and original sung prayer composed by Charles Hulin.

Charles & Kathy Hulin Dr. Charles Hulin is a graduate of The Juilliard School and Peabody Conservatory with experience in leading and teaching in Baptist, Episcopal, and Pentecostal institutions. The Rev. Dr. Kathy Hulin is Associate Rector for Formation and Pastoral Care at St John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church in Flat Rock NC. Author of Send Us Out: The Church on Mission Though Hospitality, she also has experience leading and teaching in Baptist and Episcopal churches. The Hulins are spiritually nourished in nature and have led pilgrimages in the USA and in Europe.

This retreat is hosted by the Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness. The program is open to all faiths and backgrounds. Both hikers and non-hikers are welcome. Optional group hikes for various ability levels will be offered by Holy Hikes-WNC on Monday and Tuesday. There are single and double occupancy as well as commuter pricing options available.

Register for Holy Hikes here.

A note on the platform we use for registration: The site will ask you for a "tip" to support Zeffy's platform. You can select "Other" and choose 0% for the amount!