Alice Walker once wrote “In nature, everything is perfect and nothing is perfect”—a quote that captures the essence of Camp Ocean Pines, poetry, and ourselves. Spend a weekend exploring all three as we practice writing sensory poems, haikus, tankas, and pastoral poems all inspired by the beauty of Camp Ocean Pines. The poems will fill the pages of our very own poetry journals which we will have the opportunity to decorate as we wish and take with us. We will also have the opportunity to workshop each poem as well as read all of our poems during a Sunday morning poetry share. Poets of all levels and experience are welcome.

Workshop leader Lata Murti is a published poet who has written two poems inspired by family camps at Camp Ocean Pines. She regularly participates in open mic poetry readings on the Central Coast and is also the featured poet at NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People)-Santa Maria-Lompoc branch’s annual Juneteenth celebration. In addition to writing poetry, Lata Murti is an online college professor of sociology, a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion educator, a mother, a community organizer, and a host of Central Coast Voices on KCBX public radio. Nature and poetry help to ground her in the midst of it all.

Is this your first formal poetry instruction and/or workshop and you need scholarship assistance to be able to attend this workshop? If so, please indicate this need on the appropriate registration question. For those who have had workshop experience and need financial assistance, an equity discount is also available. 

On-site lodging - $441 plan includes lodging for 2 nights, 5 meals and all instruction

Off-site lodging - $391 plan includes 5 meals, all instruction however, no lodging

A non-refundable deposit of $100 is required and the balance is due at least 30 days prior to the workshop. No refunds are available 30 days prior to the workshop.