Simcoe Retreat FAQ

Where is the retreat centre?

 It’s one hour North of Toronto, right on Lake Simcoe, outside of Georgina. Here’s a map.

How will we get there?

We’ll ask people to carpool wherever possible. There is a bus that drops you about 25 minutes from the retreat center and we’ll do our best to arrange pick-ups from there up if we can’t get everyone into cars that are coming up. Any pre-arranged pick-ups from the bus stop must be before 6:30 pm so we can all be there for the first session together.

What will we be doing?

The workshop will be a mix of short writing exercises, long periods of silence to go deep into our work, and free time. Here’s the full schedule.

How rustic is it?

Not too rustic, at least by our standards. It was built in the late 1800’s, so there are some drafts and chilly floors, but it’s been maintained beautifully by the nuns who own it. There are lots of little nooks and crannies to curl up and write.

What are the rooms like?

They are basic but cozy, with a bit of a British quilts-and-doilies look. All the beds are singles.

Will I be able to eat vegetarian/gluten-free/dairy-free/vegan/etc.

Yes. We’ll circulate ALL food allergies and sensitivities before the retreat so that all the meal teams plan accordingly. The only one that’s a bit tricky to plan for is Keto, but if you’re happy to bring some supplementary foods for yourself, we can probably make it work. Prepping food for a big group of modern eaters can be a creative task in itself! It’s one we embrace, and ask you to embrace too.

What is a meal team?

In order to get into the spirit of co-creating, everyone will be on a “meal team” with 2-3 others to create one meal for the group. You’ll be notified of your meal team well in advance and Bree will lead you in planning and preparation.

Do you have financial policies?

Naturally. You can see them all right here.

What time does it start?

We’ll have our first workshop at 7:30 on Friday evening, so the latest we ask you to arrive is 7pm. That said, you are welcome to arrive anytime after 3:30 to settle in, nap, write, stare at the lake and generally get yourself ready for the programming to come. There will be a light, help-yourself dinner that evening that will be out from 6-6:30pm.

Can I bring my sweetie?

Since these retreats are so cozy, we only want committed writers on board.

Do we need to bring sheets and towels?

Nope, we have you covered. But of course, if you have something special that you really want to bring, you’re welcome to pack it!

Is the retreat a “safe space” for LGBTQ+ voices, people of colour and others?

Oh yes. We do everything we can to make sure that our classes celebrate and welcome all voices. If you have specific concerns, or feedback for us about how to make our workshops more safe, we’d love to talk that over.

Wait! I have another question!

No problem, just drop us a line.