How to Register

Registration Start Date 1:

Registration for classes held between May 6 and August 4 begins Thursday, February 23 at 8:00 a.m. Central Time.

Registration Start Date 2:

Registration for classes held between August 5 and October 27 begins Thursday, March 1 at 8:00 a.m. Central Time.

Life Member registration start date:

Friends of The Clearing Life Members may register for all Summer Program classes beginning Tuesday, February 21 at 8:00 a.m. Central Time.

Class sizes are limited. Early registration will help ensure that you get the class or classes you want. You may register for classes by mail, fax, the Internet or phone. Internet registrations are not available on February 21, 22, 23 or March 1. A minimum $250 deposit is required.

On Registration Start Dates 1 and 2 (see above), an individual may register for him/herself and one other person. On the Life Member Registration Start Date (see above), and the day after, a life member may register for him/herself and one other person who is also a life member.

Mail: Mail: Complete the registration form and mail to The Clearing, P.O. Box 65, Ellison Bay, WI 54210.
Fax: Complete and fax the registration form to The Clearing at 920-854-9751. Include your Visa or MasterCard number.
Internet: Registration forms and secure on-line registration are available on The Clearing's web site at: www.theclearing.org. Internet registrations will not be available on the following dates: February 21, 22, 23 or March 1. When internet registration is available, a link at the bottom of the Class Description page will be available to access the on-line forms.
Phone: Call The Clearing at 920-854-4088 or toll free at 877-854-3225. Have your Visa or MasterCard number available.

Please Note: Registrations that are received in the mail, via fax or via email before the registration start date will be processed after all of the other registrations from that day have been processed.

Deposit

A minimum $250 deposit is required when registering. The balance is due no later than three weeks before the class begins.

Fees and Pricing

Information on fees and pricing is listed at the end of each class description. These rates are per person and include tuition, lodging, meals and sales tax. Sales tax is on the meals only. Some classes require an additional materials and/or shop fee. These are noted at the end of the class descriptions.

Shop Fees

Classes held in the Workshop building that use The Clearing's power tools, hand tools and other shop supplies are assessed a shop fee of $15 for a week-long class. Shop fees help defray the cost of maintaining tools and equipment, replacing worn or damaged equipment and maintaining and cleaning the workshop and studio spaces.

Gratuities

Gratuities (tips) for the kitchen and dining room staff are not included in your registration fee. Most guests choose to leave a tip, although it is of course optional. For those who do decide to leave a tip, it’s helpful to know the meal portion of the registration fee. That portion is $219 for those who lodge at The Clearing and $118 for those who commute.

Early Arrival

Students have the option to check-in on Saturday rather than Sunday. The price for the extra night is $35 per person ($30 for Friends of The Clearing members). Meals are not included. Students, especially first-time students who check-in on Saturday, are strongly encouraged to arrive between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. A Clearing staff member will be in the Lodge during that time. (The Clearing cannot guarantee that all rooms will be ready before 2:00 p.m.) Those checking in after 4:00 p.m. will find written instructions on the front door of the Lodge directing them to their room.

Personal Retreat/Independent Study

If you don't see any classes that interest you, make up your own class and set your own schedule! Students interested in "doing their own thing" for a week may register for personal retreat or independent study. If you need space for a special project, please let us know when you register.

When space is available, The Clearing offers a reduced fee ($150 off the normal registration fee) to those who register for personal retreat/ independent study on short notice-as short as one week. Call anytime to be put on the waiting list for this program. We will notify you as weeks become available. Many weeks have openings. Call The Clearing office for information.

Food Policy

The Clearing's kitchen staff does its best to accommodate individuals with dietary requirements, such as those dictated by food allergies, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. But the nature of preparing and serving family-style meals makes it very difficult for the kitchen staff to accommodate requests for separate meals or entrees based on food preferences, including requests for vegetarian meals and entrees. The Clearing staff believes that there is enough "choice" at all meals that one can skip a particular dish and still have a full meal. The Clearing can only accommodate requests for separate meals or entrees based on a medical requirement. We do not grant requests that are based on food preferences.

Commuters

Reservation priority is given to students who stay at The Clearing (resident students). Jens Jensen believed that, in order to gain the greatest benefit from the experience, students and instructors should "live" at The Clearing. The Clearing holds to this belief today. However, in order to accommodate Door County residents, and to meet the needs of a broader cross section of Clearing students, one commuter student registration is accepted for each class, beginning on the registration "start dates" (see registration form). As classes fill, those wishing to register as commuter students are strongly encouraged to have their names placed on the waiting list for their chosen class. Many times, as a given class approaches, space becomes available for more commuter students.

The commuter student registration fee includes class tuition, supper on Sunday, all noon meals, supper on Friday, and sales tax. Sales tax is on the meals only. Commuters are invited to all other meals. These are billed on a per-meal basis at the end of the week. Gratuities are not included.

Cancellation Policy

Anyone who cancels their registration 30 or more days before the Sunday on which their class is scheduled to begin will receive a refund of the amount paid, minus a $50 per person processing fee. If more than one class is cancelled, the fee is $50 per class.

Anyone registered as a resident (student or independent study) who cancels their registration 6 to 30 days before the Sunday on which their class is scheduled to begin will receive a refund of the amount paid, minus $250 per person. If more than one class is cancelled, the fee is $250 per class.

Anyone registered as a commuter (student or independent study) who cancels their registration 6 to 30 days before the Sunday on which their class is scheduled to begin will receive a refund of the amount paid, minus $100 per person. If more than one class is cancelled, the fee is $100 per class.

Refunds will not be issued to anyone for cancellations made fewer than six days before the Sunday on which their class is scheduled to begin.

No portion of the registration fee will be refunded for those who are attending a class, but decide, for whatever reason and at whatever time, not to attend the full class week.

If The Clearing cancels a class for which you have registered, you will have the option to receive either a full refund or to transfer your registration to another week-long class at a discount of $150. (If payment has already been made in full, you will receive a $150 refund.) This is a one-time discount, and the offer remains in effect through the following year.

Accessibility

Although every reasonable effort has been made or is being made to make The Clearing's buildings and grounds accessible for students with physical disabilities, some students may find our campus difficult to negotiate. (Note that The Clearing's dining room is on the second floor of the Lodge.) Please call The Clearing to discuss any concerns you have regarding accessibility.

Jens Jensen Center Hours

8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday
Additional bookstore summer hours (mid-May through mid-October) noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays

Campus Visiting Hours

For many years, The Clearing has had a "closed campus" policy while resident classes are in session. This means that the area west of the main road through The Clearing property - the area where the old buildings are located (the Lodge, Schoolhouse, Workshop and cabins) - is closed to visitors, including those participating in one and two-day workshops at The Clearing, from Monday through Friday. This closed campus policy is strictly enforced in order to ensure the privacy of resident students and instructors and to enhance the retreat aspect of The Clearing experience.

From May to October, The Clearing campus is open to visitors on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4:00 p.m. A member of The Clearing staff will be in the Lodge, during this time, to answer questions.

Cell Phone Use at The Clearing

Although cell phones have become commonplace in society, they are a major intrusion in certain places. The Clearing is such a place. The use of cell phones greatly diminishes The Clearing's retreat atmosphere. Those who frequently make or receive cell phone calls during their stay not only "remove" themselves from their retreat - the reason they are here - and have a negative impact on others as well. Therefore, the use of cell phones by Clearing guests and staff is strictly limited to certain areas of the property. These areas are listed in the guest handbook and are posted in various locations. Areas where cell phone use is not allowed include guest rooms, the Lodge, classroom buildings, outdoor areas on central campus and hiking trails. Cell phone ringers should be off at all times, and guests and staff should limit their cell phone use to calls that are truly necessary.

Admission Policy

Students must be at least 18 years old to attend classes at The Clearing. All students are welcome at The Clearing regardless of race, sex, religion, nationality or ethnic origin.