A weekend of fun, learning, sharing & coming together.
Exclusively for the recreational gymnastics community!
Why Refresh?
As a rec gymnastics coach (and later director), this is the conference I always wanted!
The goal of Refresh is in the name — for you to leave this conference feeling refreshed!
When it’s over, you will be more connected to our community, rejuvenated with new ideas & inspiration to bring back to you gym, and you’ll have an extra twinkle in your eye about the important work we do with (and for!) recreational gymnasts and programs.
Plus it’s fun… like, really fun!
Who is Refresh for?
This retreat is exclusively for front-line recreational & preschool gymnastics coaches and the leaders who run these programs (managers, directors, owners, etc).
What happens at Refresh?
Refresh is not your usual conference.
We combine traditional structured learning experiences, like expert speaker sessions & workshops, along with more informal participant-led learning opportunities like open space brainstorming, community building activities (like camp fires and scavenger hunts) & plenty of time for meaningful conversation with others.
Plus – it’s an all-inclusive event held at a summer camp! Everything happens on site – so the magic all happens in one place! Learning, eating, sleeping and all the fun camp activities like canoeing, high ropes courses and archery!
You can see an example overview of the schedule in our Information Package.
When is Refresh in 2025?
Friday June 6 (arrive between 5-6:30pm) to Sunday June 8 (depart between 2-3pm).
Did you know Refresh is an annual event?! This will be our 5th year!
There is also an optional “Self Guided Gym Tour” for Friday June 6 (9am-3pm) before Refresh officially starts!
We’ve arranged with several gyms along the way to the retreat to open their doors for any Refresh attendees who’d like to stop by, get a tour, see how they set up their program and how they use their space. You can ask questions, peek behind the scenes and find inspiration by seeing how another gym does things! It’s a great bonus for folks who are flying or driving to Refresh early… or anyone who’d like a little side adventure on the way to the Retreat!
Where is Refresh happening?
Refresh will be held at Camp Couchiching, oozing with campy charm, nestled on a lake about 15 minutes from Orillia, Ontario, Canada.
For now, you can find out more about our venue & food service in our Information Package.
Getting to Refresh:
Camp Couchiching is about 1.5 hours from Toronto Pearson International Airport and about 3.5 hours from the Buffalo Airport in NY (assuming no border crossing issues).
That bring said, you should expect to hit some “cottage traffic” (as all the city folk flee north to the lakes for the weekend) so we do recommend giving yourself extra time.
Most attendees choose to drive to Refresh (either from home, or in a rental car from the airport). We offer a Carpool/Ride Share form for attendees who would like to offer/find a ride with others.
If you’d like to hire a shuttle service from Toronto Pearson Airport, we recommend contacting Simcoe County Airport Service.
Who are the Presenters at Refresh?
We are PUMPED about the 2025 line up!
It’s incredibly important to us that we bring you creative, passionate and impactful speakers at Refresh – and this year will not disappoint. Without any doubt, the most incredible humans in our industry come from the preschool & rec side of things — we love giving a platform to forward thinkers, thought leaders, and up & comers with great ideas to share!
We’re just putting the finishing touches on our selections for 2025. We’ll be posting our line up here as soon as it’s confirmed, so be sure to check back!
In the meantime, you’re welcome to check out the 2023 and 2024 speaker/session line ups to get an idea of what to expect!
How much does Refresh cost?
EARLY BIRD (Feb 1 to Mar 30) pricing is $389 CAD + tax
STANDARD (Apr 1 or later) pricing is $449 CAD + tax
This includes shared cabin accommodations at camp, all meals & conference activities (see the full list of what’s included down below).
GROUP RATES: Save 10% when you register 3+ people together from the same club with the code “GROUPSROCK” at check out.
We highly recommend the rustic shared cabin experience for how it helps build community & friendships.
But if that’s not your jam…
You’re welcome to organize your own accommodations. Your meals & conference activities will all still be included, but you’ll need to arrange your own transport to/from the venue each day.
DIY ACCOMODATIONS – EARLY BIRD (Feb 1 to Mar 30) pricing is $349 CAD + tax
DIY ACCOMODATIONS – STANDARD (April 1 or later) pricing is: $409 CAD + tax
All in all… We firmly believe REFRESH is an absolute steal for the value!
Especially when you consider some big conferences in the US are $400 CAD for the ticket alone – never mind the expensive hotel & food costs that always add another $500-1000 per person, easy peasey! Plus — those conferences rarely (if ever!) prioritize rec & preschool specific learning, making Refresh is a no-brainer!
Not to mention, if you’re coming from the USA… the CAD to USD exchange rate is definitely working to your advantage!
What’s included?
Refresh includes all meals, accommodations & conference activities!
This makes us a one-stop-shop and especially easy (and budget-friendly) when it comes to organizing all the logistics of a staff education trip like this! If you can get here, we’ve got the rest covered.
Included in your registration:
- Cabin accommodations for Friday & Saturday night (unless you choose to opt out)
- All meals & snacks (starting with a “hearty snack” on Friday night until Sunday’s lunch); unlimited coffee/tea/hot chocolate!
- All conference activities: workshops & sessions, networking & community building, camp activities & games!
- Official Refresh swag!
- Access to a beautiful space with incredible people!
- Self-Guided Gym Tour – a special optional add on! Check out other gyms in the Greater Toronto Area) on Friday June 6 (9am-3pm) before Refresh starts!
- One month of full access to The Collective (our online community just for rec gym leaders) for any new members who sign up at Refresh, so we can stay connected!
Like we said, it’s an absolute steal for the value! 😉
What should I bring to Refresh?
Please check out our packing list.
If you choose full accommodations at Camp Couchiching, don’t forget your bedding (ie. sleeping bag & pillow)!
Don’t forget to pack for our THEME DINNER!
This year we’re heading down the rabbit hole and embracing the magic, wonder and curiosities of Alice in Wonderland – because “we’re all mad here”!
Registration is now open!
Refresh grows every year, but we do have a limited number of spots so that we can ensure it keeps it’s very personal & community-oriented vibe. Register early to ensure your space (and take advantage of early bird pricing)!
Have Questions?
We’ve got even more info in our information package – so check that out! If you still can’t find what you’re looking for, please email us at ali @ recgympros.com and we’ll be happy to help.
THANK YOU SPONSORS!
SPIETH is a global leader in gymnastics equipment with over 190 years of tradition, innovative design, and athlete-proven performance. Prepare your gym for competition season by visiting www.spiethamerica.com to solve your gymnastics, ninja, and parkour needs.
Interested in helping us make this event even more awesome?
Please email us at: contact @ recgympros.com for sponsorship opportunities.