EVENTSPGR Events include annual in-person retreat and virtually year-round online events |
What happens at Retreats?Amazing people connect person to person! And yes, sometimes the best times are over meals, in between sessions, and simply enjoying the company of those who already understand.At our Retreats kids have learned fencing, jammed in music sessions, danced, created amazing works of art, and much more. A professional Magic: The Gathering judge inspires our kids, and many play Dungeons and Dragons, build towering structures, and pursue engineering challenges. There are often daily hikes, yoga, book clubs, Moms' Circle and Dads' Group, youth hangouts, among other things. Join in an epic all ages Capture The Flag battle - many create their own costumes! Many count our (talent-optional) Variety Show and the closing slide show as "must attend" events. While younger kids are participating in activities geared towards their asynchronous development needs, parents, adults and teens can socialize with true peers in a no-pressure environment where you can truly be yourself. Content varies each year and if you don't see something you want, volunteer to lead a session and bring your passion to our retreat. Our members are diverse and all share in creating a welcoming environment where our kids can just be themselves. Returning members frequently state that the people of PGR feel like family and they can't wait for homecoming each year. Previous Retreat SpeakersPresenters at our retreats have run small sessions, larger lectures, hands-on sessions, research based approaches, as well as tea-time chats and been available outside of sessions times. Of course, sharing a meal afterwards has not been an option with virtual sessions! Ed Amend, Todd Bardwick, Azizi Birkeland, Jeff Bushnell, Regan Byrd, Stephen Chou, Jim Delisle, Miriam Darnell, Druidawn; Drs Brock and Fernette Eide; Susan Marie Frontzcak, Storyteller; Allie Golon; Bobbie Gilman; Patricia Gatto-Walden, PhD.; Barbara Hutton; Garrett Hartman, Gifted Professional, Center for Identity Potential; Patty Gatto-Walden, Gifted Professional; Isaac Hartsell, Children's Book Artist; Jenny Hecht, Gifted Professional; Joey Harris; Paul Hildebrandt, Zometool, Inc.; P. Susan Jackson, daimon institute, Gifted Professional; Dave Jackson, CaveSim; Carolyn K., Hoagies Gifted; Michele Kane, Gifted Professional; Megan Locke, Able Kids Foundation; Betty Maxwell, GDC; Cassidy Melczak, Renaissance Adventures; Pat Mendoza, Storyteller; Christy Olezeski (Yale); Marlo Payne-Thurman; Nick Thompson; Gitanjali Rao; Liz Richardson, Gaming Expert; Victor Roberts; Bryan Scheihing, LMFT; Carey Smith; Dale Stuart; Dr. Shelaugh A. Gallagher; Linda Silverman, GDC, Gifted Professional; Dan Tichenor; Stephan Tolan; Jeff Wirth; Jim Weiss, Greathall Productions; Catherine Zakoian, and many others. Organizations presenting at past retreats have included: Able Kids Foundation; Catamount Institute; CaveSim, LLC; Center for Compassionate Connections; Colorado Geographic Alliance; Colorado State University Extension; daimon institute; Denver Police Crime Laboratory; Gifted Development Center; Greathall Productions; Improv Colorado; Lumineux Institute; Renaissance Adventures; Yale Pediatric Gender Program; Summit Center, Zometool, Inc. and many others. | Virtual EventsOur successful Virtual Summer retreats in 2020 and 2021 led to the birth of PGR's Home for Interactive Virtual Events (HIVE) allowing members to participate in online events year-round. HIVE events are organized by PGR members for PGR members and hosted by PGR members or our partners. Pre-event orientations, most membership and Board meetings, and our teams and committees meetings are virtual as well. Informal EventsMembers use forums on our website and private PGR social media accounts to announce and discuss informal gatherings of PGR members. Past events have included games weekends, an eclipse watch, family campouts, Women's Weekends for PGR Moms, meet-ups at other gifted conferences, university sponsored seminars, Thanksgiving dinner, weekend campouts, and more. Past RetreatsOur summer retreat is usually near July 4. They have been held in Breckenridge, Colorado Springs, Denver, and Estes Park, Colorado, as well as in Maryland and North Carolina. PGR's 2025 Retreat will be in Ohio from June 29 to July 3. Registration for each year's retreats are announced to members with registration opening in the fall of the previous year. First-time attendees are given priority on the wait-list and space is saved for members accepted in the spring.Our families work together to design, organize, and implement the entire retreat as well as sustain the organization throughout the year. It's a great way to meet other parents and form a network of support for our children. Our group includes amazing talents, so while we are casual and informal, our events do excel at connecting the PG community with each other, creating lasting connections and building that sense of community we all find so meaningful. Information about specific events are restricted to members. Read our testimonials, and if what you read resonates, consider applying for membership. |