On Castbox.fm — Adam McClellan, Caitlin Pontrella, & Alan Tran | Art of Retreat
What makes Art of Retreat a transformative experience for community leaders and organizers?
Leaders gather to exchange ideas, solve problems, and shape the future of Parkour communities.
It’s been kind of special to wake up in the morning and have it be peaceful and quiet and more nature oriented. And I think that’s changed the vibe in a certain way which has been pretty valuable.
~ Adam McClellan (0:37)
Art of Retreat, held in the Cascade Mountains, brings together leaders, educators, and organizers to foster collaboration and growth in the Parkour community. The setting contrasts with previous urban locations, providing a peaceful and cohesive environment for attendees to engage deeply with one another. A significant focus of the event is creating a space for problem-solving, leadership development, and community building, with sessions addressing topics like business practices, sports psychology, and story branding.
When I think about stand-out experiences from the weekend, honestly, it was— …while the talks, obviously, are the key elements, the things that really resonated with me were the things beyond that: The community building, and getting a sense of group-making and cohesion.
~ Caitlin Pontrella (2:52)
Attendees value the social aspects and shared experiences beyond the formal talks, such as night missions, treasure hunts, and cabin activities. The organizers emphasize the importance of a diverse speaker lineup, often through an application process, ensuring a wide range of voices and perspectives. Challenges like travel logistics and expanding the event’s duration are under consideration to enhance the experience further. The event continues to grow in geographic reach and influence, drawing participants from international locations and various parts of North America.
Takeaways
The impact of location — A shift to the Cascade Mountains enhances cohesion and creates a peaceful, reflective environment.
Cohesion and connection — The retreat format allows for deeper group bonding and social interaction beyond formal sessions.
Community-focused programming — The event emphasizes leadership, education, and business aspects of Parkour, filling gaps left by other events focused solely on physical practice.
Diversity of voices — A mix of invited speakers and open applications ensures a broad range of perspectives and expertise.
Importance of informal moments — Activities like treasure hunts, night missions, and shared meals foster community and collaboration.
Expanding reach — The conference attracts attendees from across North America and internationally, reflecting its growing influence.
Future improvements — Plans include addressing travel logistics, adding additional days for decompression, and increasing focus on leadership and team-building topics.
Event co-creation — Volunteers, sponsors, and venue staff play crucial roles in the event’s success, highlighting the collaborative nature of the retreat.
Resources
Parkour Visions — A supporting organization that contributed to the event’s success and logistics.
Firestorm Freerunning — Sponsored the event and provided community support.
Axiom Parkour — Partner organization contributing to workshops and sessions.
YMCA Camp Lake Wenatchee — The venue for the retreat, providing a scenic and well-maintained environment for the conference.
Movers Mindset — Craig’s platform involved in recording and sharing content from the retreat.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
ɕ