A Northwoods-Inspired Poetry and Prose Course
July 31 - August 3, 2025
Immerse yourself in nature and reflect on how it has intersected with your life and shaped your perspective. Then, translate those insights into new poems or a nonfiction essay, using information about the creatures around you to inform your work. Experiential learning and activities designed to draw out insights will help you on your creative journey. This unique course will provide you with room to create and inspiration to keep you motivated long after this foray to the Northwoods.
Instructors
Dr. Kathryn Nuernberger is an essayist and poet who writes about the history of science and ideas, renegade women, plant medicines, and witches.
Dr. Marlene Zuk is an internationally recognized leader in the study of evolution and behavior. She has written a number of highly successful books for a general audience on sexual selection and evolution.
Marlene and Kate met several years ago over a joint love of writing about nature, and have taught creative writing together from their different but complementary perspectives. They also share an interest in locating katydids by their songs and reading poetry about figs.
Guest scientist
Dr. Emily Schilling, Itasca Station Associate Director
Course modules include:
- Writing in the Field: A guided nature walk focusing on plant stories
- Invertebrate Inspirations: Sampling invertebrates from the Headwaters of the Mississippi
- Thinking Like a Scientist: A guided nature walk focusing on birds, bugs, and asking a good question
- Make It Wilder: Ideas for creative revision
Program schedule
Thursday, July 31
- 3 p.m. - Check-in (Biome Center - building 75)
- 4-6 p.m. - Station orientation and course welcome (Lakeside Laboratory - building 44 upper)
- 6-7 p.m. - Dinner (Dining hall)
- 7-9 p.m. - Guided walk and time to pick and explore your "sit spot" (meeting place TBD)
- 9-10 p.m. - Optional group campfire or recreational time
Friday, August 1
- 7-8 a.m. - Breakfast (Dining hall)
- 8-10 a.m. - Sit spot time - Writing prompts and readings will be provided at breakfast.
- 10-10:30 a.m. - Coffee/snack break (Dining hall)
- 10:30 a.m.-noon - Writing in the Field: A guided nature walk focusing on plant stories (Lakeside Laboratory - building 44 upper)
- Noon-1 p.m. - Lunch (Dining hall)
- 1-5 p.m. - Invertebrate Inspirations: A visit the Headwaters to collect invertebrate samples, led by Emily Schilling (Station docks), followed by research and writing about the creatures we find (Lakeside Laboratory - building 44 upper)
- 6-7 p.m. - Dinner (Dining hall)
- 7-9 p.m. - Optional group campfire or recreational time
Saturday, August 2
- 7-8 a.m. - Breakfast (Dining hall)
- 8-10 a.m. - Sit spot time - Writing prompts and readings will be provided at breakfast.
- 10-10:30 a.m. - Coffee/snack break (Dining hall)
- 10:30 a.m.-noon: Thinking Like a Scientist: A guided nature walk focusing on birds, bugs and the art of asking a good question (Lakeside Laboratory - building 44 upper)
- Noon-1 p.m. - Lunch (Dining hall)
- 1-5 p.m. - Ideas for Creative Revision - Bring a work-in-progress you'd like to revise and receive feedback on. (Lakeside Laboratory - building 44 upper)
- 6-7 p.m. - Dinner (Dining hall)
- 7-9 p.m. - State Park Ice Cream Social and Open Mic - Students have the opportunity to read something inspired by Itasca – either a piece you've written or something you loved (3 minutes or less). This event will be open to the general public and co-hosted by the state park lead naturalists at the Lake Itasca Amphitheater.
Sunday, August 3
- 10 a.m. - Brunch (Dining hall)
- 11 a.m. - Depart
Program Cost
Program cost is inclusive of tuition, meals and lodging (see the Science of Craft home page for details on dining and lodging). Participants will choose from the following enrollment options:
- $600 with 'faculty cabin' lodging
- $510 with bunkhouse lodging
- $730 with extra day in 'faculty cabin' lodging (option only available for those dual enrolled in Drawn to Nature)**
- $610 with extra day in bunkhouse lodging (option only available for those dual enrolled in Drawn to Nature)**
**Participants who elect to enroll in both Drawn to Nature and Writing the Wild can stay continuously at the station for the full week. These participants will have a break day between sessions where they will be free to explore Itasca State Park and the surrounding area. To cover the cost of lodging and dining for the extra time at the station, these participants will pay an additional $130 for 'faculty cabin' lodging or $100 for bunkhouse lodging. Dual enrollment participants must select the "extra day" option when registering for their Writing the Wild course and must also register for Drawn to Nature. Reach out to [email protected] with questions about dual enrollment.
Mobility, Accessibility, and Field Preparedness
Itasca Station is working hard to break down barriers to field participation. As we work to make progress, the station is committed to identifying barriers to access, and communicating accessible aspects of our programs/facilities to help individuals identify whether they can safely participate. Those with mobility concerns should reach out to station staff ([email protected]) before registering.
To comfortably engage in this course, participants must be comfortable walking on uneven surfaces and trails and must be able to walk at least 0.5 mile without needing to sit and rest.
This course is part of our Science of Craft program. Check out the program homepage for details about our cancellation policy, meals, lodging, a general packing list, and recreational opportunities available during the course.