The Inside Outside Retreat Centre logo, a trail marker blaze within a circle. Courage & Renewal ® Courage Retreats, Circle of Trust ®, Courage to Teach ® image.
Logotype for the Inside Outside Retreat Centre. Courage & Renewal ® Courage Retreats, Circle of Trust ®, Courage to Teach ® image.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the purpose of a retreat?

Retreats offer the opportunity to pause and refresh ourselves. For the time we are in retreat we set aside our daily concerns and obligations so we can engage more fully with our hopes, our values, our purpose. It’s not a backing away from our lives, but rather a ‘going toward’ what matters most.

What can I expect?

Whether you are attending online or in-person; indoors or out, we work to create a calm, welcoming space for you to put aside your routines and distractions. We’ll invite quiet moments for reflection and mindfulness. Readings, images, poetry and natural environments act as catalysts for introspection. Gentle guidelines support listening and sharing in small groups. Simple meditations and gentle exercises offer rest and renewal. All retreat experiences are invitational and participants determine their level of participation.

How do you create a welcoming space in-person and online?

We respect everyone’s right to participate in our retreats to the extent that they are comfortable. Everything we offer is an invitation. When we invite participants to speak and share, for example, it is always your choice to do so. 

We ask everyone participating to agree to respect the thoughts and words of other participants. We do not record our retreats and we ask that everyone keep the thoughts and word of others confidential.

When you register for one of our retreats, you will also have an opportunity to identify any accommodations that you might need to support your participation. We will do our best to accommodate these.

Online retreats - do they really work?

Yes. An online retreat offers many of the same benefits of in-person retreats: protected time away from day-to-day concerns; space for reflection; gentle conversations; a slower pace. Of course, you won’t have the advantage of a fresh physical environment, which can help you find new perspectives; but being in your own environment may offer advantages, too. No travel time, for one. And the transition from retreat to daily life can be smoother and allow you to bring new insights forward more easily. Many of our online participants have remarked how well an online retreat worked for them, much to their surprise.

When you register for an online retreat we’ll offer some tips for making your retreat experience a good one.

What’s a hybrid retreat? How does it work?

Hybrid retreats include online and in-person participants together. All participants whether online or in-person can see and hear each other and are able to interact with each other. We’ll offer everyone tips to make sure everyone feels included.

Do I need special computer skills, equipment or software to participate online?

You’ll need a device that connects to the internet. Desktop or laptop computers work best. Tablets and smartphones work too, but you may find it challenging to see everyone in the retreat easily. You’ll also need a reliable connection to the internet and an updated version of Zoom.

Are registration fees negotiable?

We never want registration fees to present a barrier to anyone’s participation. In fact, whenever possible, our fees are Pay What You Can.

When we do request a specific fee, we make every effort to keep the fee as low as possible.  If the fee is still prohibitive to your participation, please be in touch with us directly at retreats@insideoutsideretreatcentre.com and we’ll be happy to discuss alternatives.

If I have to cancel can I request a refund?

We appreciate that unexpected events occur. If you find you can’t attend, please be in touch and we will issue a full or partial refund. Requests made less than 24 hours before a retreat begins or after it has started may not be granted.

Where are you located and where do you hold your retreats?

We are in Toronto, Canada and many of our in-person retreats are held at The Centre for Social Innovation (CSI) in the heart of the city. CSI is a welcoming and fully accessible location, easily reached by public transit. Public parking is nearby. 

From time to time we offer our retreats in Toronto’s beautiful High Park. For longer, residential retreats we engage retreat centres outside of the city.

Do you plan and organize custom retreats for groups and organizations?

Yes! We can help you plan a retreat for strategic planning, visioning or professional development. Just get in touch.

I have more questions. How do I get in touch?

Send us an email at winifred@insideoutsideretreatcentre.com. We’ll do our best to respond within 48 hours.

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    We are settlers on Treaty 13 Land, the traditional territories of many Indigenous Nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples, and home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples from across Turtle Island. We are committed to honouring the history this land bears witness to, responding to the 94 Calls to Action of the  Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, and walking lightly on the Earth.  A portion of proceeds from all our offerings are sent to:  The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and The Nii’kinaaganaa Foundation.

    The Inside Outside Retreat Centre, Centre for Social Innovation (CSI), 720 Bathurst St., Toronto, ON, M5S2R4