Every few years, Connected in Motion has the opportunity to meet with the Community in new, exciting, and beautiful places. This year, we had the chance to join forces with The Diabetes Link, Camp Kudzu, DiabetesSangha, and Tandem Diabetes Care to host, for the very first time, Southern Slipstream. Below is a recap of Connected in Motion’s Southern Slipstream 2023. Were you there with us? We LOVED reliving these moments! Did you miss out? Learn about of our favourite moments and mark your calendars for 2024 (dates coming soon!)
Southern Slipstream 2023 was an extraordinary opportunity to connect with old friends and introduce new ones. Here are ten of our most favourite moments from the weekend:
Serene Sunrise Coffee
Attendees embraced the peacefulness of the morning as they watched the sunrise, enjoying coffee and feeling the excitement build for the upcoming day.
Pontoon Boat Excitement
A lively group piled into a pontoon boat, ready for an exhilarating adventure on the lake. Tubing added to the fun, with laughter and cheers echoing across the water.
Saxophone Karaoke and Chapel Jam
The evening was filled with music and laughter, as participants showcased their vocal talent and danced their hearts out during saxophone karaoke and chapel jam sessions.
Tyler’s Viola Serenade
A soulful and emotional viola solo set the stage for open and honest discussions during the debrief circle, enabling attendees to share their experiences and reflect on the weekend.
The Blob
Participants experienced an adrenaline rush as they jumped onto the blob and soared through the air before plunging into the refreshing water, just like the 90s movies!
Discovering Grits
Southern Slipstream introduced many to the mouthwatering delight of grits, leaving them craving more of this savory breakfast option.
Talent Galore!
Attendees had the opportunity to meet and bond with inspiring individuals from diverse backgrounds who share their experiences with Type 1 diabetes. From professional musicians (shoutout to Tyler and Antoine) to incredible athletes (shoutout to Dominque and Christina), from the beautiful sounds of karaoke (shoutout to Emma and Becca) to our TikTok stars (shoutout to Dom and Raquel). We had stars from the screens and pages of magazines (shoutout to Bambi and Jay) and an incredible number of folks who work in the diabetes industry (too many shoutouts to count!)
Inspiring Guest Speakers
Attendees were captivated by inspiring guest speakers who shared their personal journies with Type 1 diabetes, providing motivation, guidance, and a sense of camaraderie. Their words left a lasting impact and ignited a renewed sense of hope and empowerment within the community.
The Stories!
“No Shit There I Was” by the campfire became an incredible source of laughter, combining humor and jaw-dropping stories. Through candid and captivating narratives, attendees were left in awe of the incredible experiences and resilience of their fellow Slipstream participants.
Southern Slipstream was made possible through the collaboration between Connected in Motion, DiabetesSangha, The Diabetes Link, and Camp Kudzu. DiabetesSangha facilitated mindfulness workshops, bringing a sense of calm and focus to the event. The Diabetes Link provided resources, support, and advocacy, empowering our individuals navigating young adulthood to manage their Type 1 diabetes effectively. Camp Kudzu’s logistical support and local knowledge helped bring the Camp flair we needed to make Slipstream awesome.
The BIGGEST shoutout to Jennie Clayton who joined us for the weekend to capture all of our memories. We are so beyond grateful for Jennie who volunteered her weekend to be at Camp with us! Check out more of Jennie’s work, here. Her work is illuminated through this Recap of Connected in Motion’s Southern Slipstream 2023.
Many, many thanks to our Slipstream volunteers and committee who have been putting in hard work since early Spring to bring Southern to life: Antoine Gibson, Anna Rambo, Jen Hanson, Julie Devos, Krystle Samai, Lucy McGroarty, Tyler Lovelace, Amy Burrows, Becca Burnett, Nathan Rogers, and Jennie Clayton.
Southern Slipstream was a weekend that celebrated adventure, reconnection, and new connections within the Type 1 diabetes community. Attendees left with lasting memories, strengthened relationships, and a renewed sense of support. Through the partnership between Connected in Motion, DiabetesSangha, The Diabetes Link, and Camp Kudzu, participants had access to valuable resources and a supportive Community.
We can’t wait to see you next year!
Sincere gratitude to the team at Tandem Diabetes Care for helping Connected in Motion bring Southern Slipstream to life.
