Hello from green Vermont,

Good news: the three of us have spent the last few days together at leader orientation, and our Writing in Ireland program has taken its final shape! We have planned an amazing cross-country adventure filled with cultural, artistic, and recreational activities for our time together. From dancing in Dublin to roaming an Irish island on a writing retreat, we’ll sample some of the best the Emerald Isle has to offer. We’ll talk and explore and learn as writers, growing in our love for literature and words and sharing our work and ideas with each other.

We can’t wait to get to know all of you when we finally convene together. Until our departure, learn as much as you can about Ireland. The more you know, the more the place will come alive when we finally set foot there. Get your journals, heads, and hearts ready. Here are some things your leaders are doing to prepare for the trip:

Ban will be cherishing his quality time with Fluffy, the spiritual hearth and home of the Heo house, and desperately hope she doesn’t love him less than the rest of the family after their two weeks apart.

Maggie will be consoling Tink in her Sebastian costume, which she wears during thunderstorms to make her feel less scared.

Chris will be jumping in as many swimming holes as possible and hanging out with this little bird since he has no Tink or Fluffy to love him.

See you soon!

— Ban, Chris, & Maggie