Dates: Friday, May 22 to Sunday, May 24 2026 (Friday evening to Sunday afternoon)
Location: Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa, Manitou Beach, SK
Spots Available: 40
Open to: All educators
Location details: Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa, located on the shores of Little Manitou Lake, is a historic wellness destination known for its naturally mineral-rich waters. The resort’s mineral pools draw from the lake’s high salinity and unique mineral composition, long valued for their restorative and therapeutic qualities. Guests can soak, float, and unwind in warm waters designed to support rest, relaxation, and renewal.
Surrounded by open prairie landscapes and within easy reach of nearby natural areas, Manitou Springs offers a peaceful retreat setting while remaining conveniently located just over an hour from Saskatoon. The combination of healing waters, spacious skies, and an accessible location creates an ideal environment to slow down, reset, and reconnect.
Land Acknowledgement: We are grateful to gather on the borderlands of Treaty 4 Territory and Treaty 6 Territory - the traditional lands of the Plains Cree, Woods Cree, and Assiniboine peoples, and the Homeland of the Métis. Known for its healing waters, this land has long been a place of gathering and renewal.
We offer our sincere gratitude for the ongoing relationships these Nations have with this land, and for the opportunity to find rest, renewal, and connection here.
Participants will stay in comfortable hotel rooms with two queen beds. You may choose to register for a private room or a shared room with one other participant. If you’re travelling with a friend or colleague, you’re welcome to request to share a room together by indicating this on the registration form.
Shared rooms are available as single-gender or mixed-gender, depending on your preference.
Two accommodation options:
All rooms have 2 queen beds, along with a fridge, coffee maker, radio with phone docking station, flat screen TV, bath tub/shower, iron and ironing boards, hair dryer, bathrobes for all registered adults, and include complimentary parking.
Speciality Mineral Pool: The registration rate includes unlimited access to Manitou Springs Mineral Spa, which is open 9am-10pm daily. The unique mineral concoction of the Manitou Springs Mineral Spa's three pools (a hot pool, warm pool and cold pool) possesses natural therapeutic skin and body care properties found only at a few places in the world. You can click here to learn more about the Mineral Pool Spa and the multitude of wellness benefits of spending time in the healing water.
Serenity Massage and Esthetics: Participants are welcome to book a massage or spa service directly at the on-site, award-winning spa for an optional add on at an additional fee. More details can be found here.
Food: Delicious meals will be provided by the Resort, from Friday dinner through to Sunday lunch. Dietary restrictions provided ahead of time will be accommodated; however, last-minute requests and preferences may not be able to be met.
Accessibility: Accessible (ADA) hotel rooms with wheelchair access are available by request. You can email us at info@takemeoutside.ca for more information.
Getting there: Manitou Springs Resort is located about an hour and a half drive from Saskatoon. Please note: Participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from the Retreat venue.
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!
Kirk Ermine
Chef Kirk 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
Chelsea (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
Maxine and Brianna 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.
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.
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.
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. Gina 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 Gina by her 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.
There are two registration rates, depending on if you choose shared or private accommodations. This registration fee includes accommodations, all meals and facilitated sessions, along with taxes.
One optional add on will be massage therapy or a spa treatment, which participants can book for an additional fee directly with the Resort.
Here are the two registration options:
You can request to share a room with a friend or colleague. If you're travelling alone but wish to share a room, please contact us directly at info@takemeoutside.ca and we can try to find another person who would like to share a room with you. Shared rooms are available as single-gender or mixed-gender, depending on your preference.
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 one month before the Retreat 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.