Eastern PA SCBWI 2026 Pocono Retreat Scholarship
Eastern PA SCBWI and its Equity and Inclusion Team are honored to offer one full Equity and Inclusion/Financial Need Scholarship for our annual Pocono Retreat, which will be held at the Highlights Foundation Retreat Center in Milanville, PA, April 24-26, 2026.
Please read below for full details.
Deadline to apply for the scholarship: December 12, 2025
General registration will open January 10, 2026.
ABOUT THE EVENT:
The Eastern PA SCBWI Pocono Retreat is back! Take a walk with Goldilocks as we stumble through the woods and into The Barn at the Highlights Foundation. Find just the right chair for working on craft. Enjoy just the right food for networking with fellow creators. And stay in just the right cabin for a creative retreat to remember. Whether you're just getting started or you're Published and Listed (PAL), gain valuable tools for the journey ahead and perspective on finding the path that's just right for you.
This three-day, in-person event held from Friday, April 24 through Sunday, April 26, 2026 at the Highlights Foundation Retreat Center in Milanville, PA, is a great opportunity for all kidlit creators no matter where they are in their creative journey. Faculty includes two literary agents, one editor, and one art director, who will share their knowledge in presentations, panels, and breakout sessions as well as offering one-on-one critiques and casual opportunities to chat during the weekend.
Full event details can be found at https://www.scbwi.org/events/pocono-the-three-bears-2026-in-search-of-just-right.
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE SCHOLARSHIP?
The scholarship will cover the cost of registration for the full weekend event, meals and accommodations for the duration of the retreat, and one free critique with a faculty member of your choice for a total value of $822 (based on premium member rates and early bird pricing). [links to be added where text is in bold]
The scholarship does NOT include transportation to the event.
WHO CAN APPLY?
The full scholarship for the 2026 Eastern PA SCBWI Pocono Retreat will be awarded to a writer or illustrator who self-identifies as a member of a community that is traditionally underrepresented in the field of children’s literature (including but not limited to people of color, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQIA+ community, Native people, and people from ethnic, cultural, and religious minorities) and/or a writer or illustrator who has a financial hardship (and would not otherwise be able to attend).
HOW TO APPLY:
Please fill out the application here between November 14 and December 12, 2025: [Google form link to come]
You will be asked to submit a personal statement, explaining why you are applying for the scholarship, a little bit about your creative journey, and, to your level of comfort, explaining how you self-identify as a member of a community that is underrepresented in the field of children’s literature or/and the nature of your financial need/circumstances.
You will be asked to upload ONE of the following:
- a five-page sample from your chapter book/middle grade/young adult manuscript, OR
- one full picture book manuscript, OR
- the first half spread plus the next two full spreads of your picture book dummy, OR
- a link to a website where we can see your illustration work, OR
- five portfolio-ready illustrations.
Note: The samples do not need to reflect experiences within an underrepresented or marginalized community. Our goal, and mission, is to uplift and support the creators.
You will be asked to submit your choice of faculty member for critique.
Deadline to apply for this scholarship: December 12, 2025
Scholarship applicants will be informed of the decision on or before January 5, 2026.
General registration will open January 10, 2026.
In the event that equally qualified applicants apply, priority may be given to an Eastern PA SCBWI member. Please note that if no applicants meet the requirements, Eastern PA SCBWI reserves the right not to award the scholarship for this event.
If you have any questions, please email [email protected].