Join US Touch of Nature Environmental Education Center (Southern Illinois University) in Makanda, IL for the 4th annual Little Grassy Winter Songwriter Retreat!
Friday, Feb 27 to Sunday, March 1st, 2026
See you soon!
Program starts 8am Fri 2/27 with continental Breakfast & Coffee, and runs approximately 8am-5pm Friday & Saturday for workshops & feedback circles, with additional song circles & listening rounds in the evening. Sunday programing is approximately 9am-2 or 3pm.
Some participants choose to stay an extra day, Thursday Feb 26th - if you stay at Touch of Nature, check in is at 3pm.
There is no structured program Thursday, just a chance to get settled, hang out, and play music together.
Are you a beginner songwriter, and you want to learn to transform your muse into song? Do you have songs in your portfolio already, and you want other songwriting enthusiasts to give you feedback? Do you just want to meet up and connect with other like-minded creatives?
We have a great program with all levels of instruction and challenges from talented faculty, many of whom are working singer-songwriters!
You can enjoy:
- Workshops, & panel discussions
- Song feedback sessions with faculty
- Song circles & jams
- Sound & Video Recording sessions in the Content Creation Station (additional fee)
- Breathwork, Yoga, Hiking, Nature Trails
- & more!
Huge thanks to our Sponsor, Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center! The mission of Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center is to enhance the lives of all people through outdoor experiences. We value:
- Experiential learning
- Environmental stewardship
- Health and wellness
- Equity, inclusion, and diversity
For Navigation, use address
1206 Touch of Nature Road, Makanda IL
This brings you to the Admin office near the entrance to Touch of Nature. There are several roads to take from there, but look for signage for Camp II and you'll get there!
Learn more & support them at https://ton.siu.edu/
Pricing
Weekend Passes
$315 tuition, Fri-Sun programming
**Does not include lodging
Includes meals - Continental Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Fri & Sat & Brunch Sunday
A weekend pass lets you participate Fri-Sun in workshops and feedback sessions, opportunity to perform and record pieces in the Content Creation Station, and attend all evening performances by faculty.
Student Passes
$215 tuition, Fri-Sun programming
same as above
Valid for high school through master’s degree. You will be required to submit a valid student ID to access this discount, and present a valid one at the door. Email possmusicworks@gmail.com to request and we'll return a discount code ($100 off).
Tag-a-long Passes
All tuitions are all-inclusive.
If your partner/spouse/family member/friend wants to come along to stay with you in the heart of the beautiful Shawnee Forest (and maybe even come listen to a few workshops & performances,) get in touch with Bill Passalacqua with your situation and we’ll try to work out what’s fair. (billpassalacqua@gmail.com)
Lodging
There are a limited number of rooms available onsite at the Touch of Nature campus, all within about ¼ mile of the action. It is walkable and completely accessible (Touch of Nature is a fully accessible summer camp.) Outside lodging nearby is also available - hotels, lodges, vacation rentals, RV parks, etc.
ATTENTION: ALL LODGES are being renovated in 2025-26 to convert to TON summer camp-friendly accommodations.
Here are the lodging options through Touch of Nature:
Little Grassy Lodge
$150 arrive Fri depart Sunday, +$75 Thursday optional add-on
Bunk beds - 4 beds per room, with 1 ensuite bathroom. BYO bedding, pillows, toiletries & towels for showering.
**Does not include any hotel amenities - NO minifridge, microwave, coffeemakers, etc. Please note this is a change from years past.
Morris Lodge
$100 arrive Fri depart Sunday, +$50 Thursday optional add-on
Bunk beds - 4-8 beds per room. Temperature controls in rooms. Community showers/bathrooms in the building. Embrace the summer camp vibe!
Linens & towels NOT included, BYO bedding, pillows, toiletries & towel for showering.
Jam Camp Cabin
$90 arrive Fri depart Sunday
Summer camp, here you come! Each cabin is is temperature-controlled (ish) equipped with 8-10 beds(You don’t have to fill it. It is very comfortable for 3-4 people.)
Grab a few friends and enjoy “roughing it” at Touch of Nature. Community bathrooms/ bathhouses a short walk away (or use Lodge communal bath/showers). Linens & towels NOT included, BYO WARM bedding, pillows, toiletries & towel for showering. An oil-filled space heater may help, but we prefer an electric blanket to heat just your bunk. Electricity is dodgy, so don't plug too much in.
Dry dock RV / Camper
$60 arrive Fri depart Sunday
Although we cannot offer any electricity or water for RV’s/Car camping, you are welcome to drydock an RV/camper.
If you choose this option, you may use the facilities in the Lodges, Freeberg (bathroom only), and bathroom/showerhouses in the Cabin loop.
We urge you to take into consideration the weather (which can range wildly in the midwest) and plan for temperature & safety. Generators are fine, please respect your neighbors.
Offsite lodging
There are also numerous vacation rentals and hotels in the Shawnee Forest and very close to Touch of Nature. Team up with friends/family to make this an enjoyable getaway while you fill your creative cup!
Touch of Nature is located at 1206 Touch of Nature Road, Makanda IL, 62958
Some nearby stays:
Giant City Lodge cabins (7 min, 3.6 mi)
Cabins on Indian Creek (7 min, 4.5 mi)
Makanda Inn (10 min, 5.3 mi)
Home2Suites by Hilton, Carbondale (15 min, 9.3 mi)
Super8 by Wyndham Carbondale (15 min, 8.8 mi)
Again, there are numerous vacation rentals (i.e. AirBnB, VRBO, etc) so find a crew and book yourself a comfy spot.
Roommates
We urge anyone wishing to stay onsite to consider rooming together, if possible, to conserve space and allow more people to join us. Join our Facebook Group, Little Grassy Winter Songwriter Retreat at TON, to meet faculty, talk with like-minded songwriters, take part in challenges and meet-ups, meet potential roommates or just stay in touch.
As a nonprofit, and mostly volunteer-run, we are unable to offer refunds.
Please consider all registrations & lodging nonrefundable. We will work with you to the best of our ability.
