Meals & Lodging - Touchstone Center for Crafts

MEALS

Putting in studio time always builds up a good appetite. Learn more about our meal plan offerings, served in our Dining Hall, for the duration of your workshop.

LODGING

Get away from the daily routine and stay on our campus surround by lush forest. Learn more about your options lodging with us on our campus.

WHAT TO BRING

Be prepared and don’t forget a thing! Here’s your checklist to make sure nothing gets left behind.

Meals

By purchasing a meal package from the Touchstone dining hall, you can focus on being creative and leave the meal prep to us!

At Touchstone, we consider dining as both an integral part of our guests’ experience, as well as another facet of creativity that we offer during their stay. We know mealtimes are a special time for participants to interact, discuss their work and their day-to-day experience, and we delight in making these ‘breaks’ a special time. The Dining Hall at Touchstone offers a high standard of food and beverage that touches on a wide swath of delectable world cuisine while maintaining a whole-hearted commitment to local, environmentally friendly and seasonal products; healthy nutrition, balanced diets and offerings that extend a bit off the beaten path.

Breakfasts at Touchstone are ‘enhanced continental’ with a variety of baked goods and breads, granola and cereals, yogurts, fresh fruits, coffee, and tea. Lunches and dinners include a dizzying array of daily entree offerings as well as a full salad bar and desserts, assuring that every student will have an opportunity to not only meet their individual needs, but do so deliciously!

Meal plans are available only to registered workshop participants and must be purchased in advance of the start of your workshop. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free foods are available with advanced notice by selecting a restricted meal package. We cannot guarantee accommodation for all food allergies. Please consider the risk of participating in meal services if you have food allergies.. Meal plans are not available for youth workshops, with the exception of Teen Week.

Note: If you are not purchasing a meal plan, please know that Touchstone has very limited food preparation facilities available to guests and that there are very few restaurants nearby. There is a microwave and a refrigerator in the Dining Hall for workshop participant use; any type of substantive cooking is not possible.

Meal Plan Pricing

Lunch Only Meal Plan

Begins with lunch on the first day of your workshop and ends with lunch on the last day of your workshop.

2-Day Workshop – $44
3-Day Workshop – $66
5-Day Workshop – $110

Full Meal Plan

Begins with breakfast on the first day of your workshop and includes three meals a day through lunch on the last day of your workshop.

2-Day Workshop – $94
3-Day Workshop – $154
5-Day Workshop – $275
Additional Dinner for Early Check-In – $26

*Dinner service is not offered on the final (checkout) day for any workshops.
**Dinner the night prior to your workshop is available as an ‘add-on’ item that must be purchased separately at registration.

Lodging

Lodging on campus is the most convenient option for multi-day workshop participants. Residing onsite enables you to enjoy the camaraderie and artistic cross-pollination that occurs when workshop participants live, create, and break bread on campus. All workshop participants must check out on the last day of their workshop. Overnight accommodation is not available on the last day of 2- to 5-day workshops. Lodging is unavailable for 1-day and youth (ages 5-13) workshops.

If you decide to stay on campus in one of our housing options, please note the following guidelines.

Residents may choose to either bring their own twin/single sheets, blankets, pillows, and towels OR rent a linen package. You may ship items ahead to be made available at the time of check-in. Make sure to ship your items to your attention and no more than 3 days ahead of your workshop; be sure to confirm arrangements with staff.
Lodging space is limited, so please make reservations early to avoid disappointment. Housing assignments are made on a first-come, first-served basis. We do our best to match participants with the type of housing they request, but this is not always possible. Our staff will contact you should your preferred lodging choice be unavailable. We cannot honor requests for specific rooms or buildings.
Touchstone does not allow pets on campus; service animals are welcome.
Touchstone is not responsible for the personal property of workshop participants or visitors and does not provide insurance covering such property. This includes vehicles and their contents as well as all personal belongings kept in studios, lodging and/or any other facility on campus.
Dorm rooms within our residence halls have heating and air conditioning.

Lodging Options

Lodging is available to workshop participants only.

Residence Halls
(Dorm Rooms)

Dorm rooms in our Campbell and Kinard residence halls have two single beds per room with two open wardrobes for storing clothing. Many people find these accommodations to be the most comfortable option at Touchstone. Each floor has four rooms with two shared bathrooms. The residence halls have heating and air conditioning.

PRIVATE DORM ROOM –Includes lodging in a private room (no assigned roommate) in one of our residence halls and use of same-floor restroom shared with other occupants. This space is air conditioned/heated.

SHARED DORM ROOM –Includes lodging in a shared room (one assigned roommate) in one of our residence halls and use of the same-floor restroom shared with other occupants. This space is air conditioned/heated.

Cabins

The cabins are nestled throughout Touchstone’s beautiful woodland campus. They are not equipped with air conditioning or heat and are served by a bathhouse located a short walking distance away. The cabins offer guests close proximity to most studios and a rustic charm that is appreciated by generations of Touchstone workshop participants.

ENTIRE 4-BED CABIN w/ RESTROOM – Limited availability. Includes lodging in a private 4-bed cabin with restroom (no assigned roommates).

ENTIRE 3-BED CABIN w/ RESTROOM – Limited availability. Includes lodging in a private 3-bed cabin with restroom (no assigned roommates).

PRIVATE DOUBLE CABIN – Includes lodging in a private double cabin (no assigned roommate) and use of a shared campus bathhouse.

SHARED DOUBLE CABIN – Includes lodging in a shared double cabin (one assigned roommate) and use of a shared campus bathhouse.

SHARED QUAD CABIN – Includes lodging in a shared quad cabin (up to three assigned roommates) and use of a shared campus bathhouse.

Camping

Tent camping is available on campus and is the most affordable lodging option. RVs are not permitted, and small campers will not have access to hookups. Those camping on Touchstone’s property will have access to the bathhouse.

CAMPING – Includes use of tent site and shared campus bathhouse; does not include tent/other camping gear or hookups. Campers and RVs are considered on a case-by-case basis.

OPTIONAL LINEN RENTAL PACKAGE – Cost is in addition to room fees. Includes twin/single-size bedding (fitted sheet, flat sheet, blanket, pillow, and pillowcase), towels, washcloth, and hand towels; does not include unlimited bedding or towels, hair dryer, or toiletries outside of what is noted above.

Lodging Pricing

5-Day Workshop

Session options include lodging for Mon – Thurs evenings (4 nights). Sunday check-in* is available at an additional cost. Does not include a linen rental package. Checkout is Friday at 5 p.m.

Private Dorm Room – $540
Shared Dorm Room – $280
4-Bed Cabin w/ Restroom – $640
3-Bed Cabin w/ Restroom – $540
Private Double Cabin – $320
Shared Double Cabin – $180
Shared Quad Cabin – $140
Camping – $100

3-Day Workshop

Session options include lodging for Sat & Sun evenings (2 nights). Friday check-in* is available at an additional cost. Does not include a linen rental package. Checkout is Monday at 5 p.m.

Private Dorm Room – $270
Shared Dorm Room – $140
4-Bed Cabin w/ Restroom – $320
3-Bed Cabin w/ Restroom – $270
Private Double Cabin – $160
Shared Double Cabin – $90
Shared Quad Cabin – $70
Camping – $50

2-Day Workshop

Session options include lodging for Saturday evening (1 night).
Friday check-in* is available at an additional cost. Does not include a linen rental package. Checkout is Sunday at 5 p.m.

Private Dorm Room – $135
Shared Dorm Room – $70
4-Bed Cabin w/ Restroom – $160
3-Bed Cabin w/ Restroom – $135
Private Double Cabin – $80
Shared Double Cabin – $45
Shared Quad Cabin – $35
Camping – $25

*EARLY CHECK-IN as noted above can be booked for the night prior to your workshop start date. Lodging to stay after a workshop cannot be accommodated as rooms are cleaned and prepped for the next session to arrive. To book an additional evening for early check-in (for any session), the costs are as follows:

Private Dorm Room – $135
Shared Dorm Room – $70
4-Bed Cabin w/ Restroom – $160
3-Bed Cabin w/ Restroom – $135
Private Double Cabin – $80
Shared Double Cabin – $45
Shared Quad Cabin – $35
Camping – $25

If you do not bring pillows and linens – or you simply forget – we have Linen Packages available to rent.

How much does a Linen Package Rental Cost?

Linen Package Rental – $50

Linen package rentals are available to add on at registration check-out. You may also add on later by either logging into your account and adding to your registration or by calling the office.

What Comes in a Linen Packages Rental?

fitted sheet (twin/single-size)
flat sheet (twin/single-size)
comforter (twin/single-size)
2 pillows
2 pillowcases
bath towel
hand towel
2 wash cloths

*Linen packages do NOT include hair dryer, toiletries, or extra bedding or towels. One extra blanket is available on request.

Off Campus Lodging

If a workshop participant opts for off-campus lodging or if Touchstone’s accommodations are full, nearby options are available. For a complete list of places to stay, check out GO Laurel Highlands.

Touchstone is not responsible for any incurred travel or lodging fees through 3rd party agencies such as Airbnb because of cancellation of a workshop, nor are we responsible for any nonrefundable deposits or prepaid arrangements made in relation to your workshop, regardless of whether the workshop is held or canceled.

Things to Bring

Please check back for an updated list of required/suggested packing items for your stay.

Guests may choose to either bring their own twin/single sheets, blankets, pillows, and towels OR rent a linen package. You may ship items ahead to be made available at the time of check-in. Make sure to ship your items to your attention and no more than 3 days ahead of your workshop; be sure to confirm arrangements with staff.