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Western Slipstream 2022
June 10, 2022 @ 4:30 pm - June 12, 2022 @ 1:00 pm EDT
$350
We're excited to reconnect as we bring in-person Slipstreams back to life.
Experiential Education
No classrooms. The best way to learn is in the real world.
Relax & Recharge
It's an awesome weekend in the woods around a campfire!
Lasting Connections
Attendees go on to make lifelong friendships with other T1s.
A NOTE ON 2022 IN-PERSON PROGRAM PLANS
WHAT: Western Slipstream
WHERE: Evans Lake Forest Education Centre, Brackendale, BC
WHEN: June 10-12, 2022
WHO: Adults (18+) with Type 1 diabetes
PRICE: $300 CAD Early Bird (Deadline – March 18 / $350 CAD Regular (Deadline – May 27)
CANCELLATION 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) will be issued. To request a cancellation, please email info@connectedinmotion.ca.
Get in touch with your rustic, outdoorsy side on a hike or paddle, or kick it back by the campfire for a s’more at Western Slipstream. The weekend will be full of hands-on, diabetes-themed workshops, as well as group discussions where we can share our collective diabetes knowledge. Don’t miss out!
What Is A Slipstream?
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 reconnect) with like-minded Type 1s, get out and try something new and learn from each others’ experiences. Let’s celebrate the year’s accomplishments and focus on the positive aspects of what we CAN do with Type 1 diabetes.
All The Important Information You Could Need
Evans Lake Forest Education Society
1625 Levette Lake Road
Brackendale, BC
Driving
Evans Lake Forest Education Centre is conveniently located north of Squamish, less than two hours north of Vancouver.
From Vancouver Airport, BC – 2 Hours
From Squamish, BC – 24 minutes
Airports
Evans Lake Forest Education Centre is located approximately 2 hours / 95 km from Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
Carpool
Use this link if you’d like to arrange a carpool with other attendees: https://www.groupcarpool.com/t/20gpqf
When attending a Slipstream, you can expect to stay in shared bunk-style accommodation. All accommodations offer electricity in the cabins for all of your diabetes-charging needs. When CIM is searching for venues, we look for options that are comfortable with adults including easy access to bathrooms and showers (in the cabins, whenever possible), climate-controlled spaces, and reasonably sized beds.
The Evans Lake cabins are situated on the upper grounds of their facility. The 10 cabins have bunk beds, single beds, and your basic comfort of heat and insulation. There are lockers to keep the cabins clean and organized. Guests must provide their own bedding / sleeping bag. All buildings are non smoking.
Modern washrooms and showers are located beside each cabin set and in the Recreation Hall.
Slipstreams take place in outdoor playgrounds 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 weather to be unpredictable – hot, cold, wet or dry and cooler in the evenings. We can’t control the weather, but we can control how we dress. We will plan to be generally active outside for the majority of the weekend. Bring lots of comfy layers, as well as athletic, fast-drying, wicking clothing. This ain’t no fashion show!
Please Note: It can still be cool in BC in early June. Check the weather forecast before you set out!
Camp Clothes
- Your underwear of choice ( a couple of pairs)
- 2 pairs of wool socks
- 1 quick-dry t-shirt
- 2 long sleeve t-shirts
- 1 pair of pants
- Long-johns (top and bottom layer)
- Comfy clothes for lounging – jeans, hoodies, sweats, etc.
- Rain gear (jacket and pants)
- PJ’s (hopefully matching plaid flannel)
- Fleece or hoodie
- Insulated Jacket (Puff jacket, wool, something warm!)
- Brimmed hat, toque, mitts
- Bathing suit & towel
Shoes / Footwear
- Slippers / sandals (indoor shoes)
- Running shoes and/or trail/hiking shoes
Toiletries
- Shampoo/conditioner/soap/body wash
- Brush/comb
- Toothbrush/toothpaste
- Personal Items
Camping Equipment
- Sleeping bag / bedding / pillow
- Extra blanket layers – Don’t be shy!
- Single bed sized fitted sheet (optional)
Diabetes Supplies / Meds
- Any meds you need, labeled
- Insulin and supplies (enough to last a week) – be sure to pack extra pump sites, reservoirs, pump batteries, syringes, pen camps, etc.
- Glucose meter and supplies
- Your favourite low supplies
- Glucagon Kit (if you have one)
Other
- Camera
- Flashlight / headlamp (cam gets dark at night!)
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- 1L Water Bottle
- Small backpack/fanny pack (yes, these are cool)
- Glasses / contact lenses
Optional
- Musical instruments
- Toque / wool hat
- Yoga mat
- Season specific sport equipment (Think tennis racquet, fishing rod, frisbee)
- Cards / your favourite board game (you never know!)
Schedule at a Glance
We’re in the midst of planning an action packed and inspirational weekend for you and will update this section when we have finalized our plans.
Friday
4:30pm
Check-In and Move-In Begins
5:00pm
Explore the Camp: Walking Tours & Icebreakers
5:30pm
DINNER
7:30pm
Official Slipstream Welcome & Kick-off
8:30pm
Campfire Social
Saturday
7:30am
Morning Paddle / Coffee at the Lake (Optional)
8:30am
BREAKFAST
9:30am
Activity Options: Canoeing / Low Ropes
11:00am
Activity Options: Rock Climbing / Archery
Art Therapy with Lucy McGroarty
12:30pm
LUNCH
1:30pm
Activity Options: Paddle Boarding / Rock Climbing
The motivational, psychological, and BG management aspects of endurance exercise w Gavin Griffiths
3:00pm
Activity Options: Hike / Canoeing
Finding Joy – stress reduction workshop w Julie De Vos
4:30pm
Free Time Activities: Swimming (weather permitting)
5:30pm
DINNER
7:15pm
Hot Topics Group Session
9:00pm
Campfire Social
Sunday
7:30am
Polar Bear Dip / Coffee at the Lake (Optional)
8:30am
BREAKFAST
9:15am
Group Photo
10:00am
Activity Options: Hike / Archery
Food is More Than Just Numbers: Disordered Eating and T1D w Katie Bartel
11:30am
Group Wrap Up
12:30pm
LUNCH
1:00pm
Pack Up & Head Out
Slipstream Team
We’re tracking down some inspirational speakers and staff for 2021 and will update the list as soon as we have finalized our selections.
Julie De Vos
CIM Staff
Julie has spent much of her life volunteering and working in the T1D community. These passions led her to a degree in Kinesiology and Health Sciences and a career path in the diabetes industry, focused on building programs and communities for not-for-profit diabetes organizations. Today, Julie is a Registered Kinesiologist, Certified Diabetes Educator, and Health Coach. She is passionate about living life to its fullest and helping those in the diabetes community thrive.
Sarah Gaughan
CIM Staff
Sarah has always had a love for the outdoors and has worked as an Ontario Junior Ranger, a canoe trip guide, and outdoor educator. Diagnosed with type one diabetes in 2017, she considers herself extremely lucky to have crossed paths with Connected in Motion soon after, and has been involved with CIM ever since. Sarah completed a BSc in marine biology in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and hopes to attend veterinary school in the future. In her free time Sarah enjoys hiking, camping, canoeing, snowboarding, birding, and planning dream trips!
Lucy McGroarty
CIM Staff
Lucy completed the Master of Design program at Emily Carr University in Vancouver. Her work as a designer combines storytelling with her interest in wellbeing. The 1 Club, the story of a secret T1D society, seeks to inspire individuals experiencing burnout to seek refuge in the community. Lucy presented The 1 Club at the first-ever TEDxEmily Carr event, and continues her work through 1 Talks, a podcast about the everyday experiences of living with T1D. Lucy loves spending time with people, enjoying life’s small pleasures: sipping a cuppa hot tea, swimming in the warm rain, lying on a yoga mat, or dancing in the kitchen after a late dinner.
Shayda Yazdanmehr
CIM Staff
Shayda is passionate about community-building, holistic health, environmental and social justice, and outdoor adventuring. She was diagnosed with T1D at age 14 in her hometown Yellowknife, NT and spent her formative years with T1D without T1D community. Recently, she made it her mission to seek out the T1D communities she knew were out there! She soon discovered Connected in Motion and hasn't looked back since. Shayda's dreams are to support the T1D community in peer support work, education, and advocacy with the ultimate goal of making the T1D community accessible to people everywhere.
Katie Bartel
Speaker
Katie Bartel is many things - a runner, cyclist, mom, book lover, romcom aficionado, 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, and pregnancy with type-1 diabetes. Katie writes a T1D-focused blog at www.katiebartel.ca and hosts the Diabetic to Dietetics podcast showcasing the unique stories of people with type-1 diabetes.
Gavin Griffiths
Speaker & Volunteer
Gavin is an Honorary Member of International Society of Paediatric & Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD); Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) Associate Fellow; International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Lifetime Achievement Award (2019); Citizen of Honor in Targu Mures, Romania; London Borough of Bexley Civic Award (2014); BA Hons in Media Writing. Gavin Griffiths founded DiAthlete, in initially setting out to support and inspire others with the same condition he lives with by running marathon challenges and keeping a blog about the adventures – the first version of ‘diathlete.org.’
“In my life with type 1 diabetes, I would say the biggest hurdle was finding that level of acceptance within myself with this – realising that I could make a life for myself, that I wasn’t so different to others, just with more self-responsibility. Once I stopped viewing diabetes as this enemy in my life, the possibilities opened up that I could achieve anything, from sports to all adventures. I’ve been blessed to make friends around the world with this condition in common, and I’m happy to have ran challenges in many lands and continents to have proven to myself it can be possible. My message is, use this to go and prove it to yourself in life too!”
Our Summit Sponsors For This Event
Our Base Camp Sponsors For This Event
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. Click here!
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 well in advance 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 complete a CIM Program Subsidy Application.
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) will be issued. To request a cancellation, please email info@connectedinmotion.ca.
What are the event protocols with regards to COVID?
A complete outline of our event protocols can be found on our Slipstream COVID Protocols page.
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!
Don’t believe us? Just watch!
What Slipstreamers Had To Say
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