A weekend of fun, learning, sharing & coming together.
Exclusively for the recreational gymnastics community!
Refresh 2024 was a success!
We had the BEST time from May 31 to June 2 with our rec gym pros community!
Amazing people, incredible learning, new friends, leadership growth and FUN!
Already looking forward to next year? Us too! 😉
Save the date for June 6-8, 2025!
Join our newsletter to get notified when registration opens!
In the meantime, check out 2024’s info below to learn what Refresh is all about.
Why Refesh?
As a rec gymnastics coach (and later director), this is the conference I always wanted!
The goal of Refresh is exactly that — leaving 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) & down time discussions 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 2024?
Friday May 31 (arrive between 5-6:30pm) to Sunday June 2 (depart between 2-3pm).
Did you know Refresh is an annual event?! This will be our 4th year!
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 traffic (as all the city folk flee north to “cottage country” 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 2024 presenter line up!
It’s incredibly important to us that we bring you creative, passionate and impactful speakers at Refresh – and this year does 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!
Wanna know more about our speakers and what they’ll be presenting about? Find more details in the information package!
How much does Refresh cost?
It’s $389 CAD + HST per attendee. This includes shared cabin accommodations on site, all meals & conference activities.
Or,
Arrange your own accommodations and save $50 CAD per attendee.
We love the rustic shared cabin experience for how it helps build community & friendships, but if that’s not your jam, there are several hotels within a 20 min drive. Your meals & conference activities will still be included, but you will need to arrange your own transport to/from the venue each day.
Groups of 3+ registering together from the same club can save $40 per person.
Use the code “GROUPSROCK”.
We think this 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 can 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!
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 May 31 (9am-3pm) before Refresh starts!
- Membership to an exclusive Refresh group inside The Collective (Rec Gym Pro’s online community) to connect with others after the event!
Like we said, it’s an absolute steal for the value! 😉
New for 2024!
OPTIONAL FRIDAY ADD-ON: Self-Guided Gym Tour!
We’ve arranged for several gyms around the Toronto area (and north along the route to Refresh) to open their doors to Refresh attendees on Friday, May 31 between 9am-3pm before the retreat starts!
Drop by any of these gyms to 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!
How does it work? It’s pretty easy — prior to the event, we’ll provide a map, suggested itinerary options and a list of all participating gyms (with their club’s facts + unique features). You’re welcome to stop in at any of them and there will be host ready at each gym to welcome you!
The Self Guided Gym Tour is a great option 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!
SATURDAY NIGHT THEME DINNER: Neon 90s!
Pack your 90’s gear & best neon brights — we’re having a theme dinner on Saturday night! We don’t want to give too much else away yet, but it’s gonna be DA BOMB!
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)!
Registration is 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. Registration will remain open until all available spots fill (or May 18th, whichever happens first).
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!
Your class management software solution.
Get back to doing what you love!
www.iClassPro.com
Refresh Rec Retreat’s official equipment supplier!
www.spieth-gymnastics.com
Interested in helping us make this event even more awesome?
Please email recgympros@gmail.com for sponsorship opportunities.