Western Slipstream 2024
June 14 - June 16
CAD$450
WESTERN SLIPSTREAM 2024
Squamish, BC
Canada
June 14-16, 2024
Kick off summer by connecting with the T1D community
Adults with Type 1 Diabetes
Connecting adults with Type 1 diabetes in beautiful British Columbia
About Slipstream
Join us for a weekend of community, connection and continuing Type 1 diabetes education.
Connect with the Type 1 community at Western Slipstream in British Columbia. Kick off the Summer season at Western Slipstream in Squamish, BC! Immerse yourself in the great outdoors with a peaceful paddle on the lake, or enjoy relaxing moments by the campfire with a s’more. The weekend will feature enriching, diabetes-themed workshops and vibrant group discussions, fostering a shared learning experience.
Experiential diabetes education
No classrooms at a Slipstream. The best way to learn is in the real world.
Connect with Type 1s
A weekend developed specifically for adults with T1D in mind.
Watch the magic happen
A weekend to help make life with T1D just a little bit easier.
Logistics
A choose your own adventure weekend full of educational sessions and camp activity options.
During a Slipstream weekend, you’ll be able to make your own schedule–one that meets you exactly where you’re at. Interested in diving deep into all things diabetes education? Perfect. We’ll have 2-3 educational session options during each activity time slot. Feel like being outside and moving? We got you. Each time slot will also offer 2-3 outdoor activity options.
Evans Lake Forest Education Centre
Overview
Evans Lake Forest Education Centre features a wide variety of spaces in a natural, secluded wilderness setting. Campers and guests will enjoy our relaxing amenities, delicious food and friendly staff. Comfortable accommodations are available for schools, private, corporate and community groups to rent year round.
Address
Levette Lake Forest Service Rd
Squamish, BC V0N 1B1
Carpooling
Don’t wait until you arrive at Camp to kick off your Slipstream experience–consider carpooling! Join a car or offer a ride, here. Don’t forget, the Western Slipstream Facebook Event is also a great place to connect!
We'll be staying in group bunk-style accommodation. You can expect:
- Electricity for your device charging needs
- Climate control
- Ability to select a lower bunk option
- 6-12 other Slipstreamers per cabin
We work hard to develop tasty menus that accommodate a wide-range of dietary needs. In general, you can expect:
- Variety and options–you can opt in and out of most heavy carbs to suit your needs
- A nut-free facility
- Gluten-free options with specific attention to avoiding any cross-contamination
- Vegetarian options
- Dinner on Friday; Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on Saturday; Breakfast and Lunch on Sunday; evening snacks
- Example meals include: Breakfast–bacon, eggs, toast, yogurt and oats; Lunch–hamburgers and salad; Dinner–burrito bowls and salad
We'll provide all of the group gear and equipment, you bring your clothes, bedding, and diabetes supplies!
Slipstreams take place in outdoor camps across North America. There are plenty of opportunities to get active and have fun regardless of what Mother Nature throws at us. We always plan for the weather to be unpredictable–hot, cold, wet, or dry. We can’t control the weather, but we can control how we dress. Bring lots of comfy layers, as well as athletic, fast-drying, and wicking clothing.
Access the CIM Packing Lists, here.
Schedule at a Glance
Detailed Schedule
Friday June 14, 2024
Saturday June 15, 2024
Early Morning
9:30am Sessions
11:00am Sessions
Mid-Day
1:30pm Sessions
3:00pm Sessions
Late Afternoon
Evening
Sunday June 16, 2024
Early Morning
9:30am Sessions
Late Morning
The Speakers
The healing power of Functional Medicine, delivered by several compassionate and cutting-edge health care providers, personally transformed Heather’s health and life. This healing experience inspired and motivated her career shift to co-create Healthy Connections Hood River with her husband, Dr. Jeff Horacek. Heather previously worked at The Whittier Institute for Diabetes in San Diego, specializing in training and education for patients and providers to live well mind-body-spirit with diabetes – something she knows firsthand, having lived with Type 1 diabetes since 1997. She and Dr. Horacek worked together in Portland for several years specializing in supporting clients with diabetes and metabolic conditions. Heather has also worked at Reed College in Portland, and One Community Health in Hood River on integrated behavioral teams, supporting adolescent clients with both medical and social/emotional concerns. It became increasingly evident that these things are linked, affirming her belief in the clear and powerful connection between our minds and our bodies. Both Dr. Horacek and Heather have long personal practices of meditation and mindfulness. These practices weave into their work with clients, and support the foundation of the work they do together. Without clear awareness of what is going on in our minds and bodies, it can be hard to find authentic resolution. Having lived in Hood River previously, Heather is thrilled to return, both for the personal/lifestyle offerings for her family (including three teenage daughters!) as well as for the professional opportunity to create true Healthy Connections within this vibrant, beautiful, and connected community. Through the practice of Healthy Connections Hood River, Heather provides mental health counseling, health coaching, functional lifestyle education, and teaches classes and workshops both live and online.
Jordi is a wife, mom, climber, adventurer and Registered Nurse. She's lived with T1D since 2001. Jordi is honoured to call beautiful Squamish, BC home where she lives with her partner and their 3 year old son, Eli. Fun fact: they are expecting a new adventure buddy in the summer of 2024! Jordi is a passionate educator and has been curious about birth and babies for as long as she can remember. She's helped hundreds of families birth their babies over the last 11 years, working as a Labour & Delivery RN in big hospitals, small hospitals and at home. She has also turned her passion into a small business - providing prenatal education to families in the Sea to Sky corridor to help them prepare for the wild journey into parenthood. Jordi is so looking forward to meeting you and chatting T1 diabetes & pregnancy!
Katie Bartel is many things - a runner, cyclist, mom, book lover, romcom aficionado, world traveler, ice cream analyst, registered dietitian, former newspaper journalist, podcaster, and person with type-1 diabetes. Katie left a successful career in journalism to become a registered dietitian, specifically for the T1D population. Her nutrition passion areas include sport, disordered eating, mental health, and pregnancy with type-1 diabetes. Katie writes a T1D-focused blog and hosts the Diabetic to Dietetics podcast showcasing the unique stories of people with type-1 diabetes. For more information, visit www.katiebartel.ca.
My name is Maria Angélica Guerrero Quintana, also known as Kéka. I am a weaver, full-spectrum doula, and educator who loves exploring the interconnections of disability/illness, collapse, art, community, grief, and joy. For the last 24 years, my full-time job has been to exist with T1D. I also co-develop educational content on sexual and reproductive healthcare for 2S LGBTQIA+ folks. Rooted in my Andean upbringing in so-called Colombia and residing on stolen Qayqayt lands, I dedicate myself to deepening my understanding of conflict transformation, somatics, trauma and anti-oppression practices for collective liberation. I feel a lot, cry easily and love to learn. With a passion for play and theatre, I infuse creativity and tenderness into my facilitation, challenging norms, disrupting systems and nurturing emergent resilience.
Phil Powell is a registered nurse and certified diabetes educator working at St. Paul's Hospital diabetes center in Vancouver and as an insulin pump trainer. He enjoys sharing his expertise with modern diabetes technologies and his passion for navigating the intricacies of general health and longevity. In his spare time, Philip is an avid athlete, playing squash, cycling, and weight training. After spending many years struggling with low blood sugar during exercise, he has now found success in reducing their frequency through the use of Dexcom and looping with his Omnipod insulin pump. Philip has had type 1 diabetes for 20 years. Through years of trial and error exploring his own management, he has learned diabetes decisions are often not straight forward and can involve experimentation, creativity, emotional processing, and educated guesses. He enjoys bringing his lived experience to his work and helping other people with type 1 diabetes live healthier, happier lives.
Shalet is a Registered Clinical Counsellor based in British Columbia.She has over 7 years of experience in the field of counselling psychology, serving as a counsellor, researcher, workshop facilitator, and trainer. Her personal journey with type 1 diabetes (T1D) began at the age of 12. She holds two master's degrees in psychology. She completed her first master's at the University of Mumbai, India, and worked as a counsellor for 3 years before undertaking her second master's degree at the University of British Columbia, Canada.Here, she completed her practicum at the Vancouver Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), specializing in relationship counselling. Shalet is certified in EFT, a cutting-edge, research-based modality renowned for its effectiveness in individual and relationship therapy.In her current full-time practice at the Vancouver Couple & Family Institute, she works with individuals navigating psychological trauma, diabetes-related burnout, depression, and anxiety, as well as couples and families overcoming communication challenges. She facilitates workshops for couples and is actively developing workshops geared towards supporting relationships and chronic illness.Shalet's research interests center on studying the impacts of T1D on caregivers, and relationships. She is currently involved in a JDRF-sponsored investigation at the UBC Department of Endocrinology, exploring virtual care platforms that offer peer-led mental health support to adults with T1D.
Sydney is a life coach, yoga instructor and type 1 diabetic who is passionate about connection, authenticity and creative empowerment. She supports people in building better relationships with themselves so they can show up to their lives with purpose and agency.
The Team
Maureen (she/they) is an avid outdoor adventurer, artist, and passionate advocate for social justice and the liberation of all people. She is also a queer person with Type 1 diabetes and neurodivergence. Her 25th Dia-versary (diabetes anniversary) in September 2023 involved smashing a homemade sleepy pancreas piñata, eating a healthy portion of pasta and offering a flip-chart lesson on diabetes for the Type 3s (those without diabetes) in the room. She attended (and loved!) her first CIM Slipstream in 2017 and was a participant in the CIM adventure team in 2019. What an adventure! With a background in environmental engineering, she is currently studying Community Planning, and hopes her personal experience with Type 1, her education and her big creative heart will help create a safe, inclusive, and fun learning experience for those who attend the Western Slipstream in June 2024. She looks forward to meeting everyone and co-hosting with Lucy in the beautiful location of Evans Lake, BC!
Lucinda (Lucy) McGroarty is a creative and driven individual with a passion for art and design. With a Bachelor's degree in Interior Design and a Master's degree in Design, Lucy has honed her skills in various mediums, including space planning, storytelling, and digital media. In addition to her work as a freelance designer, Lucy has also served as a design professor, educating and inspiring the next generation of creatives. Her work has been recognized by various publications, and she has received numerous awards and accolades. In her free time, Lucy enjoys hiking and reading with her husband Adam and their son Teo, and finding inspiration in the beauty of the outdoors.
Program Partners
Thank you to our incredible sponsors who help make this program possible!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Slipstream Weekend, anyway?
A Slipstream Weekend is an active, social and educational weekend for adults living with Type 1 diabetes. But that explanation sounds so formal… What it really is… is a weekend jam packed full of outdoor adventure, engaging workshops, great food and incredible people. It’s a chance to connect (or re-connect) with like-minded Type 1s, get out and try something new, learn from each others’ experiences, and celebrate the year’s accomplishments – focusing on the positive aspects of what we CAN do with Type 1 diabetes.
What goes on at a Slipstream? Do you have a schedule ready?
Think of Slipstream as a choose your own adventure experience. You’ll have the chance to build your own schedule to create an experience that works best for you and your goals for the weekend.
When the schedule is ready, it will be added to this page under the Schedule At A Glance.
Who can attend a Slipstream Weekend?
Slipstream Weekends are available to people aged 18+ who are living with Type 1 diabetes. We have had participants from ages 18 to 82 and have no upper age restrictions as long as you are willing to bring a smile and a love for being active.
We do offer programs where your friend or partner living without Type 1 can join through our 5.5er series! Check out our 5.5er Slipstream or 5.5er Canoe Trip.
Getting There? Accommodations? Food? Packing List?
Oops, you’ve scrolled too far! All of that information is answered further up the page.
What is the vibe of the weekend? Is this like a conference?
Not really! Here, at Connected in Motion, we wanted to get away from the typical ‘conference’ style of learning. We want to have meaningful conversations, hands-on learning, and actually get outside and put into practice some of the strategies for living well with diabetes that we’ve all learned along the way. You can expect a mix between indoor learning sessions – sometimes we’ll bring in special guests to share with us, other times we’ll run group workshops – and outdoor adventure sessions – don’t worry, we’ll let you define adventure! Think, camp for adults!
I'm not super fit. I don't know if I'll be able to handle this event.
Of course you will! The CIM team are trained educators and adventure guides. We work hard to make sure that everyone experiences success, defined on your own terms. Whether that’s climbing a mountain, or just strolling to the trailhead, we’ll mould the experience to suit all ability levels. We’ll encourage you to step to the edge of your comfort zone, but we won’t push you off!
I have a special dietary need: celiac, dairy sensitivity, allergy, etc. Can the venue accommodate me?
We do our best to accommodate special dietary requests, and our team works closely with the venue to ensure they are aware of any food allergies or special diets in the group. If you have a special dietary concern, please be sure to let us know during the registration process so we can find out what accommodations or substitutions the venue is able to offer.
Will there be low supplies on site, or do I need to pack my own?
Low supplies will be plentiful, but it’s always a good idea to bring your own! We’ll supply juice boxes, glucose tabs, granola bars, etc. As always, if you have your own favourites, please bring them along! (Maybe they will become our favourites, too!)
I see a lot of cool outdoor adventure activities listed. Do I need any of my own equipment?
Nope! For every activity offered at Slipstream, gear will be provided. It’s included in your registration fee!
What's included in my registration?
- Shared accommodation (usually bunk-bed style)
- All meals and snacks (Friday evening dinner through Sunday Lunch)
- Outdoor programming (past examples include: rock climbing, challenge course, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, swimming, etc)
- CIM-specific programming
What is NOT included?
- Transportation to and from the program venue is not included
- Diabetes supplies (make sure to bring everything you need for yourself!)
I'd love to join, but don't think I can afford it.
We never want someone to miss out on a CIM experience, simply because they can’t afford it. The purpose of the CIM Program Subsidy is to eliminate financial barriers for those who want to attend a Slipstream weekend or Adventure program. These subsidies are possible because of the fundraising by past CIM Adventure Team members.
To apply for a subsidy, please visit our CIM Program Subsidy page, here.
What is the refund policy?
We offer full refunds for Slipstream program registrations until 30 days before the start of each program. Unfortunately, CIM is unable to refund Slipstreams registrations that are canceled less than 30 days from the start of the program due to arrangements with our host venues. For cancellations more than 30 days before the program, a refund (minus an administration fee of $25) will be issued. To request a cancellation, please email info@connectedinmotion.ca.
I still have a question I need answered.
Still have questions? Send them to info@connectedinmotion.ca with Slipstream FAQ in the subject line and we’ll get your questions answered!
