General Information

The student committee of the CEN is pleased to offer a 3-day writing retreat, set in the peaceful and enchanting autumnal surroundings of the Forêt Montmorency, located in La Côte-de-Beaupré (north of Quebec City).

The retreat will be held from Thursday November 27th at 11:30 to Saturday November 29th at 17:30 and will give you the opportunity to focus on writing your thesis or on other writing or analysis projects without distractions, as well as enjoy some time in nature and out of the city.

Details, logistics and registration

How it works:

The retreat will consist of pomodoro-style writing periods, with breaks in between for sports, relaxation, and outdoor activities. Over the course of the retreat, you will be able to complete more than 20 hours of writing! You will also get the chance to meet and exchange ideas with students from other programs and universities. 

Transportation

We will not be offering shuttle services to the site, but you may request reimbursement to cover the travel expenses of students coming from our member universities to the retreat. That being said, for ecological reasons, we will only reimburse trips made via carpooling or if you are the sole representative from your institution (please contact us if you have any questions regarding this matter).

Food

Food is also included in the cost of the retreat. A catering service will be provided for lunches, and pre-prepared meals will be provided for dinners. Breakfast will not be prepared for you, but all food will be pre-purchased, and you will only need to toast and butter your bread!

Whether you are in the final sprint of writing or just beginning your journey, this is the ideal opportunity to conduct science under optimal conditions.

A deposit of 85$ is required to confirm your registration (this includes the cost of accommodation, food, and transportation for the duration of the retreat). Don’t hesitate to ask your supervisor for funding!

Registration will open on Wednesday, October 29th at noon (watch your emails!)

More About the Retreat

• Montmorency Forest website presenting the facilities: https://www.ffgg.ulaval.ca/domaine-forestier/territoires/foret-montmorency/services-et-hebergement
• You will have access to a cabin that can accommodate around twenty people, a large kitchen, a spacious workroom in the main building, as well as a large outdoor forested area.
• Wi-Fi is available in all rooms, and you will be able to conduct video conferences or attend online courses, if necessary.

For any questions about the activity, please contact the student committee of the CEN (etudiants@cen.ulaval.ca).

A look back at the writing retreat

Another productive writing retreat has come to a successful end for our student members!

Held at Forêt Montmorency, this event enabled 21 postgraduate students to make progress on their work, exchange ideas and develop relationships during over 20 hours of supervised writing. The retreat drew on recognised methods such as the Pomodoro Technique and the Post-it Method to promote optimal concentration and effective organisation.

There were also opportunities for relaxation, including a hike and an impromptu snowball fight (during a well-planned break, of course)!

These retreats are a veritable 'Club Med' of productivity, offering a structured setting where almost everything is taken care of, including accommodation, meals, coffee, the schedule and activities. All you have to do is settle in comfortably and focus on your goals!

Participants greatly appreciated the experience: everyone made progress on their projects, with one even submitting the initial draft of their thesis during the retreat. If you're thinking, 'I wish I could have been there!', keep an eye on your inbox — a new retreat is being held this spring and places are filling up fast.

The student committee will keep you informed of the details of the next writing retreat.