Join us for a four-day gathering for people who care about poetry!
The Stafford Challenge Conference is an invitation to slow down and show up together. Rooted in the legacy of William Stafford and inspired by the practice of daily writing, this four day gathering brings together poets, writers, and lovers of language for an experience built around curiosity, creativity, care, and shared presence.
Whether you are a longtime member of The Stafford Challenge community or discovering us for the first time, you are welcome here.
Conference at a Glance
Dates:
June 18-21, 2026 (Thursday 12pm – Sunday 1pm)
Location:
Lewis & Clark College, Portland, Oregon (Home of the William Stafford Archive)
Attendance:
Limited to 100 participants to keep the experience intimate and connected
Guest Poet Teachers:
Naomi Shihab Nye, Kim Stafford, Emmett Wheatfall, Brad Aaron Modlin, Christopher Luna, Georgia Popoff, John Rosenwald, Ann Arbor, and Brian Rohr
What Your Registration Includes
Four days of workshops, writing, and community
All daytime programming with Guest Poet teachers
Evening performance tickets fully included:
Thursday: “Consider This with Naomi Shihab Nye” an Oregon Humanities Presentation
Friday: Guest Poet Evening Performance
Saturday: Naomi Shihab Nye & Kim Stafford, A Reading and Conversation
Open mics and participant readings
Guided access to the William Stafford Archive
Light breakfast (coffee, tea, pastries) on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Cafeteria lunch provided on Friday and Saturday (available for purchase on Thursday and Sunday)
Time and space designed for depth, creativity, and real connection
Registration Notes
Current and past Stafford Challenge participants receive a $100 discount
Limited partial scholarships are available, please reach out for more information!