What to Know - Touchstone Center for Crafts

Registration, Cancellations, Policies, & Procedures

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Workshop registrations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis.
Workshops fill quickly – register as early as possible!
Waitlists are created for all workshops at capacity.
A minimum of 50% tuition deposit, plus applicable registration fees are required at the time of enrollment for 2- to 5-day workshops. The full 100% tuition and applicable registration fees are required at the time of enrollment for date nights, community wood firings, and youth (ages 5-13) workshops.
All balances on tuition, lodging, and meals must be paid in full six weeks prior to the start date of the workshop.
Materials and studio fees are separate from tuition fees and are typically finalized two weeks prior to the start date of the workshop. These fees must be paid prior to arrival on campus.
Space in a workshop is only guaranteed to registrants who have paid in full six weeks prior to the start date of class. If you have not canceled your workshop per the Cancellation Policy and we are unable to collect your balance, your seat in the workshop will not be guaranteed nor will you receive a credit or refund for monies paid.

Touchstone makes every effort to run each scheduled workshop; however, the organization reserves the right to cancel a workshop for any reason (primarily low enrollment). Touchstone will make cancellation notifications at least 14 days ahead of the start date of onsite workshops and at least 7 days ahead of virtual workshops. If Touchstone cancels a workshop, participants will be able to 1) transfer to another workshop without incurring a transfer fee, 2) receive a full refund, or 3) donate a portion/all of their workshop fees to Touchstone’s scholarship program to benefit deserving students (Touchstone is a charitable 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 23-7259132).

Touchstone’s Cancellation Policy for 2025 is as follows:

The Cancellation Policyhas been modified each season since the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. The Policy may change as WHO/CDC/local regulations and guidelines change. Our current policy is as follows:

Participants who cancel more than six (6) weeks prior to the start date of their workshop will receive all monies less the nonrefundable processing fee and reduced cancellation fee (15% of the total tuition price).
Participants who cancel between three and six (3-6) weeks prior to the start date of their workshop will receive a 50% refund of all monies paid to Touchstone. This includes tuition, housing, meals, materials, and other fees.
Participants who cancel less than three (3) weeks prior to the start date of their workshop will not receive a refund for any monies paid.
Date nights, community wood firings, and youth workshops are nonrefundable unless canceled by Touchstone.
Touchstone is not responsible for materials purchases or nonrefundable prepaid travel and/or off-campus lodging arrangements made by workshop participants in case of any cancellation.

Balances are due in full six weeks prior to the start date of the workshop. If you have not canceled your workshop per the Cancellation Policy and we are unable to collect your balance, your seat in the workshop will not be guaranteed nor will you receive a credit or refund for monies paid.

Contact the office as soon as possible if you wish to transfer to a different workshop. A transfer fee of $20 (per transfer) will be added to your final invoice. Transfers must be processed more than 30 days prior to the start date of the workshop from which you wish to transfer.

The returned check fee for insufficient funds is $40. Touchstone incurs a fee from the bank which is then passed on to the participant. The fee will be added to your invoice, and payment along with the original deposit/balance must be paid to guarantee your space in the workshop.

Touchstone is not responsible for any non-refundable deposits, fees, or purchases paid towards materials, travel, and/or accommodations by workshop participants. This includes airplane/bus/train/other tickets, automobile rentals, baggage fees, hotel reservations, and/or contracts with third party or rental services such as Airbnb, VRBO, etc. as well as any other related fees/expenses in relation to workshops, regardless of whether a workshop is held or canceled.

Materials and studio fees are charged to participants based on studio usage and materials Touchstone is providing at the request of the instructor. Instructors may require that you bring certain materials and tools with you, in which case a list will be provided. The final cost of these fees is typically posted two weeks prior to the workshop and is to be paid in full before check-in. Touchstone is not responsible for any non-refundable purchases of materials made for workshops by participants, regardless of whether a workshop is held or canceled.

Touchstone posts all information regarding materials to help you prepare for your workshop(s). Fee ranges will be posted when a final price is not yet determined; ranges include the minimum to the maximum amount expected to be paid by workshop participants. Materials lists noting what participants should bring to their workshop may be found as a downloadable PDF under each respective workshop listing on their respective workshop pages on our website.

Touchstone works diligently to ensure the safety of all workshop participants and visitors on our campus. These efforts take countless hours, as running a residential craft school has many logistics aspects to be examined from studio use and workshops to dining services and lodging.

Proof of vaccination is not currently required to attend workshops and/or events.
Studios run at full capacities (10-12 participants maximum).
Mask-wearing is encouraged if you are feeling unwell or if you simply prefer to wear one.
Lodging occupancies include both shared and private booking options.
Cleaning and disinfecting procedures continue routinely throughout campus.
When enrolling in a workshop, all participants agree to the Cancellation Policy (see below) regarding credits and refunds due to illness or otherwise.

Guidelines are subject to change based on health regulations and best practices. Registered participants will be notified if changes are made. Policies and procedures instituted will be enforced, and anyone not abiding by these policies may be asked to leave campus without a refund or credit.

Touchstone’s Cancellation Policy has been modified each season since the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. The Policy may change as WHO/CDC/local regulations and guidelines change. Our current policy is as follows:

Participants who cancel more than six (6) weeks prior to the start date of their workshop will receive all monies less the nonrefundable processing fee and reduced cancellation fee (15% of the total tuition price).
Participants who cancel between three and six (3-6) weeks prior to the start date of their workshop will receive a 50% refund of all monies paid to Touchstone. This includes tuition, housing, meals, materials, and other fees.
Participants who cancel less than three (3) weeks prior to the start date of their workshop will not receive a refund for any monies paid.
Date nights, community wood firings, and youth workshops are nonrefundable unless canceled by Touchstone.
Touchstone is not responsible for materials purchases or nonrefundable prepaid travel and/or off-campus lodging arrangements made by workshop participants in case of any cancellation.

If Touchstone cancels a workshop, participants will be able to 1) transfer to another workshop without incurring a transfer fee, 2) receive a full refund, or 3) donate a portion/all of their workshop fees to Touchstone’s scholarship program to benefit deserving students (Touchstone is a charitable 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 23-7258132).

By enrolling in a workshop, participants assume the risk of working with equipment and materials provided by Touchstone. The faculty, staff, and organization are not responsible for injuries incurred as a result of the improper or irresponsible use of tools, equipment, and/or facilities.
The use of alcohol in studio settings is prohibited. No one is permitted to work in any studio at any time after consuming alcohol. Responsible consumption of alcohol by workshop participants of legal drinking age is permitted only outside of studios on Touchstone’s campus.
The use and/or possession of illegal drugs will not be tolerated. Violation of this policy will force Touchstone to terminate the participant agreement immediately without a refund and ask the individual(s) in question to vacate the campus immediately and permanently.
In the interest of safety, health, and the preservation of our campus, smoking is not permitted in any building. No one is permitted to burn candles, incense, or other flammables in any building.

Touchstone reserves the right to dismiss immediately and permanently any participant – without refund – for behavior considered unacceptable, including but not limited to the following:

Any behavior which jeopardizes the safety of self or others
Behavior which violates local, state, and/or federal laws
Damage to, destruction, theft, or misuse of Touchstone property or the property of others
Discriminatory conduct directed at a particular person based on race, gender, religion, sexual preference, age, national origin, or disability
Disruption of the normal functioning of the Touchstone community, breaching the peace, disrupting the work of others, and/or violating the rights of others
Hazing, physical abuse, physical violence, or threat of physical harm to others
Hunting or any related activity is not permitted on Touchstone’s campus
Possession of a deadly weapon on Touchstone’s premises
Refusing to follow safety procedures for proper use of tools, equipment, and/or materials
Refusing to participate in class if this adversely impacts the learning of others
Sexual assault, abuse, harassment, or indecent exposure
Unauthorized use of Touchstone’s studios, housing and/or other property
Use of alcohol or intoxication in the studios, underage drinking, and/or providing alcohol to anyone on campus under the age of 21
Use, possession, or sale of illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia
Verbal abuse or harassment of others

In the event of an emergency, participants should contact the nearest available staff member. In case of medical emergency or fire, contact 911. Basic first aid kits and fire extinguishers are located throughout campus; please be aware of their locations. In any situation, always get help first and do not put yourself in danger. Emergency procedures, phone numbers, and directions to Uniontown Hospital and MedExpress Urgent Care are located in each building.

Participants and instructors are asked to voluntarily provide a listing of any medical conditions or allergies that staff should be aware of in the event of an emergency on the student waiver, release and indemnity agreement. It is Touchstone’s policy to contact 911 in the event of a medical emergency. Touchstone does not supply or administer any form of injectable medications such as epinephrine. If you have a known allergy to foods, insect stings/bites, environmental items, and/or other products, we strongly encourage you to bring your own supply of allergy medicines or EpiPen for self-injection. If you should have an accident that requires medical attention, call 911 and/or notify a staff member immediately. The Uniontown Hospital and MedExpress Urgent Care center are both a 20-minute drive from Touchstone. If you have a nighttime emergency that cannot wait until morning, contact a designated staff member and/or check the emergency phone list posted in each building.

Meals and lodging are typically only reserved for workshop participants. If your situation requires a guest to join you for part of/the duration of your stay on campus, please contact our office to discuss your needs and potential arrangements of accommodation.