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NOTE: If you have additional questions, please email us.

Workshop Registration Form

1. Is there a registration deadline for the workshops?

Registrations for each workshop remain open until the workshop fills.  We are happy to reserve you a space in the workshop room while you arrange registration paperwork and payment. You can EMAIL us to inquire whether spaces are still available for the workshop dates of your choice and/or to reserve a space in a workshop. 

2. What is the location of each workshop, nearest airport, and shuttle transportation?

If you will be driving to the workshop, please use an Internet mapping service (e.g., www.mapquest.com) to obtain directions from your starting point to the conference center address provided below. For those needing transportation from an airport to the conference center, we have identified one shuttle option for each workshop site, though there may be others. If taking a shuttle, you would be wise to bring directions from an Internet mapping service in case the driver is unfamiliar with the route from the airport to the conference center. Hotels near the conference sites are listed for those who plan to arrive early or stay after the workshop and for those needing off-site lodging when sleeping rooms are no longer available at the conference center. Distances from the hotels to the conference centers are provided by Google maps.

Not all sites below are used every year. The registration form notes the location of presently scheduled workshops. 

Workshops near Baltimore/Washington, D.C., are held at the Bon Secours Conference Center, 1525 Marriottsville Rd, Marriottsville, MD, 21104 (410-442-1320). The nearest airport is Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI), which is 23 miles from the conference center. For shuttle transportation from the airport to Bon Secours, call the Airport Shuttle (800-776-0323) for costs and reservations. If you want to come in the night before the workshop starts and stay at Bon Secours, call there (410-442-1320) to see if rooms are available. Be sure to mention that you are with the On Course Workshop to receive a deeply discounted rate. Hotels near the conference center include...

The workshop site: The Bon Secours Conference Center has just undergone a multi-million dollar renovation and the improvements are impressive. The Center sits on beautiful secluded acreage in the rolling hills of Maryland, and although this location seems miles from civilization and a wonderful place to retreat, at night visitors can see the lights of downtown Baltimore. All services--lodging, conference room, and sleeping rooms (with cable Internet access)--are housed in the large stone main building.  Lodging is in a private room with private bath. Amenities include an outdoor swimming pool and a fitness center. Computers with Internet access are available and WiFi capability is available in the meeting rooms as well as throughout other areas of the building. One item you may want to bring with you is a hair dryer. This location is an adults only facility (no guests under 18). 

Additional information: While driving towards 1525 Marriottsville Rd, you will see a long pasture fence on your left. Where the fence ends, turn right into the conference center grounds, come to the top of the hill, and make a right to the conference center (a large stone building).  If you are driving, conference center personnel will show you where you can park your car after dropping off your luggage. 

Workshops near San Francisco, CA, are held at the Mercy Center, 2300 Adeline Drive, Burlingame, CA 94010 (650-340-7474). The nearest airport is San Francisco International Airport (SFO), which is 4.5 miles from the conference center. For shuttle transportation from the airport to the Mercy Center, call Super Shuttle (800-258-3826 or 415-558-8500) for costs and reservations. Hotels near the conference center include...

The Workshop Site: Mercy Center is on the grounds of the historic Kohl Mansion and offers a peaceful environment ideal for learning. The grounds provide expansive lawns, walking paths, flower gardens, mature oaks, and a labyrinth. In season, a swimming pool and tennis court are available. Lodging is in a private single room with shared bathrooms (separate bathrooms for men and women). Meals provide food that is seasonally fresh, local, nutritious and delicious. The Internet can be accessed through the Business Center, and wireless Internet access is available in some areas. This location is an adults only facility (no guests under 18). 

Additional information: Mercy Center is a spiritual retreat center designed to promote an inward focus, and as such the sleeping rooms have simple furnishings and do not have televisions, telephones, or clock radio/alarms. Telephones are available at the workshop center. Please bring your own alarm clock if desired or borrow one from the front desk. 

Workshops near Asheville, NC, are held at the Lake Junaluska Conference Center, 759 N. Lakeshore Drive, Lake Junaluska, NC, 28745 (800-222-4930). The nearest airport is Asheville Regional Airport (AVL), which is 33 miles from the conference center. For shuttle transportation from the airport to Lake Junaluska, call Special Occasions Limousine/Transport (888-288-9915) for costs and reservations. Hotels near the conference center include...

The workshop site: The Lake Junaluska Conference Center, operated by the United Methodist Church, sits beside a 200-acre lake and is surrounded by 1200 acres of beautiful rolling hills. Nestled in the serenity of the Smoky Mountains, Lake Junaluska offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking, swimming, tennis and basketball. Lodging is in a private room with private bath. Wireless internet is available in various places on the grounds; computers with internet access are also available in the Terrace Hotel

Additional information: When you come into the main entrance of the Lake Junaluska Conference Center grounds, continue on the main road to the Terrace Hotel, a large building on your left across from a long sidewalk bounded by rose bushes. The Terrace Hotel is the site of our workshop, lodging rooms, and meals.

Workshops near Chautauqua, NY, are held at the Chautauqua Suites, 215 W. Lake Rd., Mayville, NY 14757 (716-269-7829), in southwestern New York state. Our conference site overlooks Chautauqua Lake and is only two miles west of the Chautauqua Institution. The nearest airport is Erie International Airport (ERI), which is 52 miles from the hotel. The hotel will provide complimentary airport shuttle service from Erie International Airport for workshop participants. Call Chautauqua Suites to arrange for the shuttle. Hotels near the conference center include...

The workshop site: Chautauqua Suites (www.chautauquasuites.com) is an all-suite luxury hotel that is close to vineyards, wineries, fabulous local restaurants and minutes from the historic Chautauqua Institution (www.ciweb.org). Each suite has free high speed Internet access with free wireless access also available in all public area. The hotel has a fitness center and walking/running paths along the nearby lake. 

Additional information: A complimentary hotel shuttle will transport participants to visit the beautiful grounds of Chautauqua Institution, know for its 125 year commitment to the Arts, Education, Religion, and Recreation. Take a walk through the Victorian Era community and you'll understand why people talk about the "Chautauqua Experience."

Workshops in Santa Barbara, CA, are held at La Casa De Maria, 800 El Bosque Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93108 (805-969-5031). The nearest airport is Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA), which is 16 miles from the conference center. For transportation from the airport to La Casa De Maria, take a taxi. Hotels near the conference center include...

The Workshop Site: La Casa De Maria Conference Center can be found at the end of a winding lane near the Pacific Ocean. The beautiful surroundings preserve the natural environment of the area, including the oak grove and sycamore trees along the banks of the San Ysidro Creek. You'll enjoy walking trails and, if it's warm, the swimming pool. Lodging is in a private room with private bath. Wireless Internet is available around and in the meeting rooms (not the sleeping rooms), and one computer with Internet access is available for guest use is located in the office area. This location is an adults only facility (no guests under 18). 

Workshops near Green Bay, WI, (none in 2009) are held at the Bemis Conference Center, 100 Grant St, De Pere, WI, 54115 (920-403-4000). Lodging will be a short walk away at the Kress Inn, 300 Grant St., De Pere, WI, 54115 (800-221-5070). The nearest airport is Austin Straubel International Airport (GRB) in Green Bay, which is 6 miles from the conference center. The Kress Inn provides a complementary shuttle from Austin Straubel International Airport. To make a shuttle reservation, call the Kress Inn (920-403-5100 or 800-221-5070). Hotels near the conference center include...

The workshop site: The Bemis Conference Center and Kress Inn (managed by Clarion Hotels) are on the campus of St. Norbert College, located on the scenic Fox River, just minutes from downtown Green Bay (and, for Packer fans, Lambeau Field). Lodging is in a private room with private bath. Wired and wireless Internet (including computer workstations) is free at both the Bemis Conference Center and the Kress Inn.

Workshops near Orlando, FL, (none in 2009) are held at the San Pedro Center, 2400 Dike Road, Winter Park, FL 32792 (407-671-6322). The nearest airport is Orlando International Airport (MCO), which is 16 miles from the conference center. For shuttle transportation from the airport to San Pedro, call Premier Royale Shuttle (800-939-7517)for costs and reservations. Hotels near the conference center include...

The Workshop Site: The San Pedro Center is peacefully tucked away next to Lake Howell, near the campus of the University of Central Florida. The grounds are an Audubon-listed bird and wildlife sanctuary, and a boardwalk from the San Pedro Center winds through dense trees and shrubs leading to a private deck overlooking a peaceful water vista. Lodging is in a private room with private bath.  Wireless Internet access is available in the workshop building, and a few computers with Internet access are also available. This location is an adults only facility (no guests under 18). 

Additional information: The San Pedro Center, although only a short drive from Orlando tourist attractions, is a spiritual retreat center designed to promoted an inward focus, and as such the sleeping rooms have simple furnishings and do not have telephones or televisions. Telephones are available at the workshop center, and a television is available in the building in which our workshop is held.

Workshops near Los Angeles, CA, are held at the Richard E. Holtz Conference Center (on the grounds of the Salvation Army’s Crestmont College), 30840 Hawthorne Blvd, Rancho Palos Verdes, California 90275 (310-265-6580) The nearest airport is Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which is 18 miles from the conference center. For shuttle transportation from the airport to the grounds of the Salvation Army's Crestmont College, call Super Shuttle (800-258-3826 or 415-558-8500) for costs and reservations. Hotels near the conference center include...

The Workshop Site: The Richard E. Holz Conference Center, located on the grounds of the Salvation Army's Crestmont College,  is located on a bluff that overlooks the Pacific Ocean.  It is here that the Salvation Army trains its officers for service to people in need. The campus is beautifully landscaped, and there are walking trails near the conference grounds and along the ocean. An exercise room and Internet access are available. Lodging is in a private bedroom within a suite of two bedrooms that share a bath. Most of the bedrooms have unique decors! Computers with Internet access are available in the campus library; Internet cables are available for use in your sleeping room. This location is an adults only facility (no guests under 18). 

Additional information: As you near 30840 Hawthorne Blvd, you will cross Vallon Drive. Shortly thereafter, make a left at the Crestmont College sign (you'll also see a sign for the adjacent Peninsula Tennis Club), come to the bottom of the hill, and approach the guard house where you'll receive directions to the conference building.

3. In making flight plans, when should we plan to arrive and leave?

Arriving: Plan to arrive at the conference center before 3:30pm on the first day (the opening session begins promptly at 4:30pm).  Recommended arrival time at the airports is by 1:30, which will leave time for claiming luggage, connecting with transportation, and traveling to the conference center. 

Departing: The workshop ends at 12:00 noon on the last day, and a celebration lunch is provided afterwards. Please plan to stay for the entire workshop by booking air travel that leaves after 3:30pm from Asheville and after 2:30 from all other sites.

4. If we want to arrive a day early or leave later, can we stay at the conference center?

If you're traveling a long distance to the workshop, arriving a day early is a wise choice. (Some past participants have said they spent most of the first day acclimating to the new time zone.) Of course, you may simply wish to extend your stay to enjoy exploring the area. Most of our sites do not rent rooms to individuals, so whether wishing to arrive early or stay longer, send us an email with your specific request and we'll see if we can add your extra lodging night(s) to our master bill. If so, you will pay On Course, and we will pay the conference center. If extra lodging is not available, you may wish to stay in one of the hotels listed in the answer to Question #2 above.

Exceptions: If you want to stay extra nights at the Lake Junaluska Conference Center (800-222-4930) in North Carolina or the Kress Inn (800-221-5070) in Wisconsin, call directly to see if rooms are available. If so, you will make payment for additional lodging directly to the site. If not, you can seek lodging at one of the hotels listed in #2 above.

5. Is there a charge for parking?

Parking is free at all of our conference centers.

6. Can I commute to the workshop from home or from other lodging accommodations? If so, what is the cost?

Commuting is a good option if 1) you live close enough to the conference center to commute from home or 2) all of the sleeping rooms at the conference site are taken. However, if sleeping rooms at the conference center are available, we highly recommend that you stay there. Staying on site gives you the full workshop experience which includes networking and socializing with innovative educators from colleges and universities across North America and beyond. If you do choose to register as a commuter, you may subtract $135 from your workshop registration fee. You will still be provided all meals, which are included in the conference center's fee and may not be deducted. We want you to enjoy the great networking that goes on at the meals. 

7. I have high expectations for what I'll learn at this workshop. Is there any preparation I can do before the workshop?

Knowing what you want helps you get the most from the workshop (and from life, for that matter). So, decide what specific OUTCOMES you’d like to take away with you (e.g. three strategies for helping students take greater responsibility for their education, one new strategy for each of the seven domains of influence, two new colleagues at other colleges with whom to network). Also, consider what EXPERIENCES you’d like to have during the retreat (e.g., community, fun, inspiration).

Another great preparation for the workshop is taking the self-assessment that is in the On Course textbook and available free online. The self-assessment provides you with personal scores on each of the eight On Course success principles addressed in the workshop.  To access the on-line version of the self-assessment, CLICK HERE.  You'll get a printable report of your scores. (The self-assessment will take you to another site; to return here, remember our address: www.OnCourseWorkshop.com.)

8. Where can I find information about the 3-credit online graduate course (ED 582) that is an option for On Course I Workshop graduates?

ED 582: Strategies for Empowering Students to Become Active, Responsible Learners is a 3-credit online graduate course designed to give you support in doing what you would probably be doing after the On Course I Workshop anyway--implementing and assessing the impact of the strategies you learned in the workshop. This class is only offered in the Fall semester, and you are encouraged to enroll in the Fall following the workshop you attend so the ideas are still fresh in your mind. This course is transferable to most graduate degrees at other institutions. Click on the links below to view more information about the course:

You are also welcome to ask your workshop facilitator for information about ED 582.  All facilitators have taken and now teach the course. 

9. Are the conference centers accessible to the handicapped?

Most are. Please let us know if there are circumstances for which you will need any special accommodations. We want you to have a great experience!

10. How about meals?

Included in your registration fee are all nine meals at the workshop, from dinner the first night to lunch on the last day. Hearty and plentiful food is served at all locations. At most of our sites, food is served buffet style and offer a salad bar. You'll also be treated to morning and afternoon snack breaks. All sites provide enough variety that vegetarians can typically find appropriate food at all meals. However, if you have special diet needs or requests, please e-mail us.

11. What do people wear at the workshop?

Casual, comfortable clothing is appropriate: slacks, jeans, shorts, or sweats are fine. IMPORTANT: During the workshop, dress in layers as meeting room temperatures can be difficult to control and, regardless, no room temperature seems to please everyone. Check a national weather report or http://www.weather.com regarding upcoming weather for each location.

12. Is there anything special I should bring to the workshop? 

We’ll supply almost everything you need to create a valuable experience (including a nifty On Course Workshop Book loaded with activities, handouts, and notepaper).  However, please bring…

13. Can I bring my spouse/partner/family?

We don’t recommend it. The workshop offers an ideal opportunity to focus on our professions and ourselves. It's also a wonderful opportunity to network with some of the finest educators in higher education. Attending with family members (as wonderful as they are) will likely distract you from gaining full value from the workshop. As an alternative, many past attendees who wanted to combine the workshop with a vacation arrange to meet family members on the last day of the workshop (which ends at noon). That said, a few of our sites can accommodate a spouse/partner. E-mail us for availability and costs. There are, of course, other accommodations near the Conference sites if you wish to commute (for more about nearby hotels see Question #2 above).

14. What do participants usually do on the second night when there are no workshop sessions planned? 

Some participants choose to relax at the retreat center, walking the beautiful grounds, socializing with other educators, or using the time for quiet contemplation or journaling. Other participants form groups to go by car or shuttle to nearby cities or towns.

15. If I like the workshop and want more, is there a follow-up event I can attend?

Yes. In addition to the follow-up graduate course (see Question #8 above), you can enroll in an On Course II Workshop. In this advanced workshop. you'll not only add to your repertoire of student-empowerment strategies, you'll also learn to design and deliver effective professional development events for educators on your campus. This workshop is open only to graduates of the On Course I Workshop and, like the On Course I Workshop, also offers the follow-up option of a 3-credit online graduate course.

16. What is the cancellation policy?

If you cancel 61 or more days before the event, you will receive a full refund. If you cancel 60 or fewer days before the event, you will receive a 50% refund. At 60 days and thereafter we must pay for your contracted expenses at the conference center whether you attend or not.  You may, if you wish, have someone attend in your place at no additional cost. 

Still have questions?  Email us.