Welcome to the Read & Reconnect Retreat! 🍂
Take a deep breath—you made it.

When you're ready, head to the meeting room to pick up your swag bag and mingle with our amazing sponsors. They’ll guide you through fun, creative crafts like making your own bookmarks, customizing journals and water bottles, blending tea bags, and more. Let the inspiration begin! We can’t wait to (re)connect with you!🎃✨

BE INSPIRED. Hear Danielle Grandholm of Rising Kites 🪁 share her powerful story and heartfelt mission - to celebrate the gift of Down syndrome by offering encouragement, resources, and unwavering support to individuals and families within the Down syndrome community.

CEUs: 1.0 contact hours

Ready to treat yourself with the same care you give everyone else?
In this session, we will turn kindness inward 💗. We’ll explore what self-compassion really means—and why it matters. You’ll learn about the three core elements of the practice and how to start applying them to your inner world.

You’ll take a short, insightful self-compassion assessment and jot down your score in your retreat workbook. From there, you’ll choose a self-compassion practice that feels right for you—something meaningful, doable, and personal. We’ll guide you through it, and you’ll walk away with a powerful tool to support your well-being, long after the retreat ends.

CEUs: 1.0 contact hours

Let’s get real about burnout. We’ll start by defining what burnout looks like—especially in the workplace—so you can spot it in yourself and others. You’ll then take a personal burnout assessment and record your score in your retreat workbook (no judgment, just insight 💛).

Next, we’ll dive into practical, research-backed strategies for burnout recovery. One key focus? Boundaries. You’ll reflect on what boundaries you need most right now, then craft your own burnout recovery strategy and a personal boundary mantra to keep close.

Throughout the retreat, there will be time to connect, ask questions, and share experiences with your fellow GCs. You are not alone—and there’s a path forward. Let’s walk it together.

CEUs: 1.0 contact hours

We’ll kick things off by exploring how creativity boosts well-being and helps us flourish as humans (yes, science says so!). Then we’ll put that inspiration into practice with a hands-on watercolor workshop 🎨✨.

You’ll be guided to paint an unraveling DNA molecule—a symbol of release. As your brush moves, we’ll also reflect on what you might want to unravel in your own life. What’s ready to be surrendered? What can you let go of?

No art skills needed—just an open heart and a willingness to play, reflect, and maybe make a little mess!

CEUs: 1.0 contact hours

Cuddle up in your hotel room* or join us in the meeting room to watch Crip Camp 🎬—a powerful documentary that follows the journey of disabled teens at Camp Jened and their pivotal role in sparking the disability rights movement. As genetic counselors, this film invites us to deepen our understanding of disability, identity, and advocacy—helping us expand our empathy, challenge assumptions, and better support the diverse individuals and families we serve.
*For those who watch the film on their own, don’t forget to complete the short quiz (NSGC requirement).

CEUs: 1.7 contact hours

We will air out imposter syndrome—the inner critic that whispers “you’re not enough” (spoiler: you are) 💫

We’ll start by uncovering what imposter syndrome really is—where it comes from, who it tends to show up for, and the beliefs and behaviors it rides in on. You’ll take a quick, eye-opening assessment to measure how much this sneaky phenomenon is showing up in your own life, and you’ll record your score in your workbook.

Next, you’ll learn powerful, proven strategies to quiet the imposter voice and reconnect with your worth. You’ll choose what resonate most, and record them as your go-to tools.

We’ll also explore the trap of comparison—and yes, you’ll have time and space to reflect, connect, and shift those patterns in a way that feels grounded and empowering.

CEUs: 1.0 contact hours

We’ll begin with a quick, fascinating look at your autonomic nervous system—specifically how your body responds to stress (sympathetic) vs. calm (parasympathetic), and why that matters for your overall well-being.

You’ll then learn what breathwork really is and how science shows it can help reduce stress, boost clarity, and support your mental and emotional health. You’ll try out several breathwork techniques and choose the one that works best for you—then note it in your workbook as a go-to reset tool. 🧘‍♀️✨

Next up: journaling. You’ll explore how expressive writing supports wellness and gives your inner voice a powerful outlet. You’ll respond to guided prompts and take time to reflect in your own words.

CEUs: 1.5 contact hours

We’ll close our time together with a short, grounding group meditation 🧘🏾‍♂️💫

Then, you’ll turn to your Read & Reconnect workbook to reflect and capture five personal takeaways—specific strategies, mantras, boundaries, or practices you’ve discovered that can support your well-being both personally and professionally.

This is your moment to connect the dots, ask any final questions, and share insights with each other.
Let’s wrap with intention, inspiration, gratitude, and community.

CEUs: 0.5 contact hours