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Saskatchewan Educator Wellness Retreat

Restoration through deep nature connection. A new kind of professional development.

Kindly note, this Retreat has been moved to the spring of 2026. Stay tuned for the new dates and details!

Please feel free to email us at info@takemeoutside.ca if you have any questions.

OVERVIEW

Dates: Spring 2026 (Friday evening to Sunday afternoon)

LocationKenosee Inn & Cabins, 100 Kenosee Inn Drive, Kenosee Lake, SK

Spots Available: 45

Open toAll educators

Location details: Located in Moose Mountain Provincial Park, Kenosee Inn & Cabins is nestled in 40,060 hectares of natural environment in the southeast corner of Saskatchewan. MMPP is a forest oasis in the prairies, and Kenosee Inn & Cabins sits in the middle of it. Just a 2-hour drive from Regina and 4 hours from Winnipeg, this is the perfect central location to unwind and relax under prairie skies.

Acommodation

Land Acknowledgement: We are grateful to gather on Treaty 2 and Treaty 4 territories, the traditional lands of the Cree, Ojibwe, Saulteaux, Dakota, Nakota, and Lakota peoples, and the homeland of the Métis Nation, in the area now known as Moose Mountain Provincial Park and Kenosee Lake. This land has long been a place of gathering, travel, and connection, and has been stewarded with deep care, knowledge, and respect since time immemorial.

We offer our sincere gratitude for the ongoing relationship these Nations have with this land and for the opportunity to find rest, renewal, and connection here.

Accommodation

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Guests can experience the beauty of the Saskatchewan skies while staying in their choice of one of a cabin or a hotel room. All hotel rooms overlook Kenosee Lake, with rooms located on the upper level having a balcony and rooms on the main level walkout onto the green space that begs all, young and not so young, to roll down its hill at least once! Cabins have decks, with fire pits and picnic tables on the grounds nearby.

Cabins

2 bedroom cabins feature a queen bed in one bedroom and a double size bunk bed in the other. They also have a couch in the living room. The cabins are winterized and heated by a gas furnace or electricity.

Shared bunk bed (double) in shared cabin rate: $425 (tax included)

Private room with queen bed in shared cabin rate: $475 (tax included)

 

Queen Hotel Rooms

These rooms have two queen beds. All rooms have a balcony or walk out patio, which overlooks Kenosee Lake. Hotel rooms are equipped with air conditioning, cable TV, telephones, hair dryer, fridge, iron & iron board & wireless high speed internet. 

Private hotel room with queen bed rate: $525 (tax included)

*Please note: Queen hotel rooms will only be available for single occupancy during the Retreat.

Food: Meals will be catered buffet style for all guests. Dietary restrictions provided ahead of time will be accommodated; however, last-minute requests and preferences may not be able to be met.

Suggested Packing List: Click here to view our Suggested Packing List!

What to Expect:  This document will be emailed to everyone who registers and will cover all the details for the Retreat, including directions, community guidelines, wifi access, cell service, etc. 

Partners: We’re very thankful to be partnering with our friends at SaskOutdoors for this Retreat!

SaskOutdoors helps to connect the people of Saskatchewan to the outdoors and supports educators and caregivers to bring the life-changing benefits of the outdoors to everyone. They have graciously stepped in to help plan, and host, this retreat. To learn more about their work, visit: https://saskoutdoors.org/

Are we missing anything? Please feel free to email us at info@takemeoutside.ca if you have any questions or requests for support!

Meet the Facilitators

Chef Kirk Ermine was born and raised in Sturgeon Lake First Nation located 45km northwest of Prince Albert. In 2001, at the age of 20, he was diagnosed with Juvenile Type 1 Diabetes. This life-altering event shaped the course of his future, as he became more interested in foods and cooking. Kirk left the reserve to complete his Culinary Arts - Professional Cooking Diploma through the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and graduated in 2006. In 2010, he received his Journeyperson Certificate of Qualification which gave him Red Seal Chef status. Kirk is currently investigating ways to integrate his passion for cooking and interest in traditional First Nations food with Diabetes Education.

 


Chelsea Andrews
(she/her) is a yoga teacher and mobility coach. She finished her 200HR yoga teacher training with Pure Living Yoga in 2021 and got certified in Functional Range Conditioning (FRC®) in 2022. Mobility is at the core of Chelsea’s approach. She focuses on improving joint health, control, and usable range of motion so you can move better, prevent injury, and unlock strength through functional movement. Her classes blend yoga and strength training with targeted mobility work to create balanced, resilient bodies that feel good day to day. With a degree in Food and Bioproduct Sciences, Chelsea’s science background gives her a unique take on movement and coaching. She combines practical nutrition know-how with evidence-based movement strategies to help people feel their best inside and out.

 


Gina Falcetta
Hi I'm Gina! I'm a massage therapist from Saskatchewan. I use the tools of somatic experiencing, massage, and my background of study in Indian yoga and Chinese martial arts to connect people with their bodies.  I've studied and learned from masters from all over the world, and lived in some beautiful places that have inspired my path. I have been studying and practicing movement in this way for about 13 years. It is my wish for people to feel at home in their bodies, be connected with where they are in space and with the land they inhabit, and for people to learn how to compassionately hold and nourish themselves through presence and touch. I would describe myself as a Jill of all trades and a master of none, while my friends would describe me as the comedian and a person who they can easily speak openly and frankly with. In my spare time you can find me studying anything from astrology to histology, swimming in the nearest body of water, or dancing.

 

 

 

Maxine Panchuk and Brianna Aubin are both nature-based elementary school teachers in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Maxine teaches primary with a place-based pedagogy, infusing her passion for gardening, land-based teachings, and experiential learning into her class. Brianna currently teaches grade 1 with an inquiry-based lens, incorporating place-based learning and outdoor adventures into her literacy-focused classroom. They are both passionate about sharing their experiences with outdoor learning and hope to inspire others to get outside with their students and soak up a little sunshine.

Schedule

The Sample Schedule below shows an example of what the Retreat schedule could look like. The exact Retreat schedule is currently being confirmed and will be shared with participants before the Retreat.

 

Session Descriptions

Plant Medicine Sessions with Chef Kirk Ermine

Plants and food are powerful medicines that can help us to heal naturally. Join Kirk for a session to learn about his journey with food and wellness, explore the properties of local medicinal plants, their shared genetic traits and the greater connection of plant life all across Turtle Island.

Chef Kirk Ermine will also be cooking an amazing Saturday Evening Meal with Indigenous-inspired dishes!

Yoga with Chelsea Andrews

These classes are all about helping you slow down, release tension, and feel good in your body. You’ll move through a mix of gentle, functional movements and mindful flows that build flexibility, strengthen your muscles and joints, and invite deep relaxation. Each session is shaped around what the group needs most, helping you mobilize your body and your mind so you leave feeling lighter, calmer, and more at ease.

Mobility with Chelsea Andrews

A focused, movement-based session designed to improve joint health, control, and functional range of motion. You’ll learn how to move with more strength and precision while training your body to mobilize and protect your joints through their full range. Using science-backed mobility training and strength principles, Chelsea guides you through targeted exercises that build resilience and support every activity from lifting and running to yoga and everyday life. These sessions are practical, empowering, and adaptable for all bodies.

Authentic Relating with Gina Falcetta

Experience yourself experiencing others experiencing you. Authentic Relating is the practice of connecting authentically, making the hidden seen and the unknown known through game play. In this session you will walk away with the skills to connect with others at the drop of a hat, develop intimacy, and develop capacity to find your edge. No experience required, all are welcome.

Tai Chi and Morning Cold Dip with Gina Falcetta

Optional cold dip in the lake to start off class, dip as much or as little as you like. Please bring a bathing suit and a towel and a warm tea if you would like. I will go over the basics and safety of cold exposure before we go in the water. Afterwards, enjoy the slow yet warming movements of Tai Chi as taught to me by my teacher Shifu Dr. Yancy Orchard. Learn balance, strength, and posture, focus, attention, and grace. All are welcome to this beginner friendly session.

Educator Wellness Session with Maxine Panchuk and Brianna Aubin

Like tending a garden, nurturing your own well-being takes time, care, and intention. This session explores how daily practices and connecting with nature can be powerful tools to reduce stress, restore balance, and deepen a sense of who we are. You’ll discover ways to build resilience and cultivate calm, inspiring you to develop a personalized well-being practice that honours your unique identity and supports your individual needs.

Sit Spots and Guided Nature Time with Maxine Panchuk and Brianna Aubin

Relax, observe, and find calm in your own sit spot. Settle into stillness, observe the natural world, and connect with your thoughts. Use your nature journal to capture the details and reflections that ground you. Pay attention to the sights, sounds, and sensations around you, and let them nurture a deeper connection to the present moment.

Registration

Thank you for your interest in our 2025 Saskatchewan Educator Wellness Retreat. Kindly note, this Retreat has been moved to the spring of 2026. Stay tuned for the new dates and details!

The Retreat registration fee ranges from $425-525 (tax included), depending on the type of accommodations you book (shared or private). This registration fee includes accommodations, all meals and facilitated sessions. One optional add on will be massage therapy and participants would pay the registered massage therapist directly if they sign up for a treatment.

Here are the three registration options (full accommodation descriptions can be found here, in the overview section):

  • $425 (tax included) for a shared bunk bed (double) in shared cabin
  • $475 (tax included) for a private room with queen bed in shared cabin
  • $525 (tax included) for a private hotel room with queen bed

You can request to share a room or cabin with a friend or colleague.

We are committed to supporting educators from underserved or underrepresented communities to attend our retreats. If you face financial barriers and/or identify as Black, Indigenous, a Person Of Colour, have lived experience with a disability, are part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community or a member of another marginalized group, please feel free to reach out to info@takemeoutside.ca for the potential of a subsidized registration or to request other types of support to attend this Retreat.

Cancellation Policy: Please notify us as soon as possible at info@takemeoutside.ca if you need to cancel your registration. Cancellations made at least 30 days before the date of the Retreat are fully refundable. In the case that Take Me Outside had to cancel an Educator Wellness Retreat, every effort would be made to notify participants by September 7th and all registration fees would be fully refunded.

All pricing is CAD. Payments from other currencies will automatically be converted to CAD at time of checkout.
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Resources

Books on Educator Wellness

  • Teacher, Take Care: A Guide to Well-Being and Workplace Wellness for Educators by Jennifer E Lawson, Shannon Gander and Richelle North Star Scott

Books on Forest Bathing/Forest Therapy

  • Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness by Dr. Qing Li

Books on Indigenous Knowledge and Plant Medicine

  • Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer
  • Held by the Land: A Guide to Indigenous Plants for Wellness by Dr. Leigh Joseph
  • Plants Have So Much To Give Us, All We Have To Do is Ask: Anishinaabe Botanical Teachings by Mary Siisip Geniusz and edited by Wendy Makoons Geniusz
  • Medicines to Help Us: Traditional Métis Plant Use by Christi Belcourt
  • You Are The Medicine: 13 Moons of Indigenous Wisdom, Ancestral Connection, and Animal Spirit Guidance by Asha Frost

Books on Yoga and Mindfulness

  • Embrace Yoga’s Roots: Courageous Ways to Deepen Your Yoga Practice by Susanna Barkataki
  • Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness by Jon Kabat-Zinn
  • The Art of Living: A Guide to Mindfulness, Personal Growth, and Peace with Transformative Meditations for Understanding Life’s Deepest Questions and Experiencing Happiness and Freedom by Thich Nhat Hanh
  • Pause Rest Be: Stillness Practices for Courage in Times of Change by Octavia F. Raheem 
  • Stress Resets: How to Soothe Your Body and Mind in Minutes by Jennifer L. Taitz

Videos

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