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Collingwood, Ontario · July & August 2026

A week that can change how learning feels—and how your family moves forward together.

A boutique family learning retreat where capable students build confidence, every family member expands how they learn, and school stress gives way to a more connected path forward.

Explore the week
Sessions
July 11–17 or Aug. 29–Sept. 4
Participation
One family registration · 2–5 members
Cohort
Small and application-based
Guidance
Guided personally by Diane Devenyi Creator of the Alphabetter™ Method

This retreat may be right for your family if…

  • Your child is bright and capable, but reading, writing, spelling, focus, or organization take more energy than their potential suggests.
  • Homework has become a recurring source of tension—and previous tutoring, accommodations, or other supports have helped only partially.
  • You want your child to experience greater capability, not simply receive more advice—and you are willing to participate so they do not carry the change alone.
  • You are ready for a family experience that addresses learning differently, together.

Why this week is different

  1. Guided relearning, not more worksheets

    Alphabetter focuses on foundational alphabet and literacy patterns that are not typically the focus of conventional subject tutoring. Through intensive, multisensory relearning, families strengthen the connections beneath written language, expression, attention, and confidence—while developing visualization, self-awareness, and flexible thinking.

  2. The family participates together

    Parents and students learn alongside one another—not as supervisors and performers. Shared experiences build empathy, communication, and more constructive ways to respond when learning becomes difficult.

  3. Focused learning can still be enjoyable

    Workshops are balanced with movement, creativity, family time, and optional activities. Because foundations are identified early and addressed directly, some families begin noticing meaningful changes during the retreat itself—while still having room to enjoy Collingwood, Georgian Bay, and Blue Mountain.

What can shift across a family

Change does not belong to only one person.

The student who inspired the trip may begin recognizing their strengths, experiencing new capability, and approaching learning with greater confidence.

Parents and siblings also expand how they learn, think, communicate, and respond to challenge. Together, the family leaves with more than insight into one child—they leave with new skills, shared language, and a stronger way of learning together.

East Asian family of four participating together in a multisensory learning activity at a boutique family retreat in Collingwood

What can begin to change in seven days

Families experience the method together—observing patterns, practising side by side, and preparing to continue at home.

  1. Day 1 Awareness and self-regulation

    Families begin noticing learning patterns in real time and developing a shared understanding of attention, confidence, balance, and how learning feels.

  2. Days 2–4 Foundational skill-building and cognitive expansion

    Hands-on relearning strengthens alphabet and literacy foundations, sequencing, written expression, visualization, communication, focus, and processing.

  3. Days 5–6 Critical thinking and creative problem-solving

    Families apply developing skills through flexible thinking, imagination, collaboration, guided challenges, and real-world practice.

  4. Day 7 Integration, celebration, and a plan forward

    Families recognize progress, celebrate new capability, and leave with practical anchors for continued growth at home and school.

A day in the retreat

Structured workshops anchor each day, balanced with shared meals, family time, movement, optional activities, and space to enjoy Collingwood.

Interactive family learning workshops

Parents and students participate together in guided, hands-on sessions.

Morning Interactive family learning workshops

Parents and students participate together in guided, hands-on sessions.

Midday Group lunch together

A shared group lunch carries the morning's connection and learning rhythm into the afternoon session.

Afternoon Applied workshops, collaborative learning, or selected outdoor/local experiences

Depending on the day—continued workshops or time exploring Collingwood and the area.

Late afternoon Rest, family time, resort amenities, or local exploration

Unstructured time to recharge or enjoy the area at your own pace.

Evening Independent or group dining and optional creative activities

Dine independently or join selected group outings, followed by optional creative activities in the evening.

The child is not the only person asked to change

This retreat is built on whole-family participation—not a child sent to be corrected while parents wait nearby.

  • Parents participate as learners, recognizing and expanding their own learning and communication patterns alongside the student.
  • Siblings gain more than understanding of one another—they also develop new ways to think, create, communicate, focus, and respond to challenge.
  • The family leaves with individual growth, shared language, and practical routines that reduce hovering and conflict.
Parents and teenagers participating together in a hands-on Alphabetter family workshop

Collingwood and the retreat experience

Set between Georgian Bay and Blue Mountain, the retreat combines structured family workshops with space to rest, explore, and reconnect. The setting supports the rhythm of the week—it does not replace the learning.

  • Small-cohort workshops at Living Water Resorts
  • Selected outdoor experiences and flexible family time
  • Independent breakfasts and dinners, with optional group dining on selected evenings

Living Water Resorts

Family with a daughter and son enjoying active free time on a waterfront lawn near Georgian Bay in Collingwood
Optional family time near Georgian Bay and Collingwood
Diane Devenyi, founder of The Learning Force

Creator of the Alphabetter™ Method

Guided personally by Diane Devenyi

Diane created the Alphabetter approach and brings decades of multisensory, collaborative work with families into this guided week. She helps families notice learning patterns as they emerge, practise new approaches together, and translate the experience into practical routines for home and school.

Because the cohort is intentionally small, each family receives direct guidance and personal observation throughout the retreat.

Read Diane's broader story at The Learning Force →

Dates & Investment

$5,999 CAD

Per family · includes up to five members

Small cohort · application required

Accommodation is not included in the program fee.

Session 1

July 11–17, 2026

7 days · Saturday → Friday

Session 2

August 29 – September 4, 2026

7 days · Saturday → Friday

Apply for a Private Discovery Call
Before the retreat
  • Discovery and fit conversation
  • Confirmed pre-arrival preparation
  • Lodging and area information
During the retreat
  • Seven days of guided family workshops
  • Group lunches and closing celebration brunch
  • Hands-on materials and small-cohort guidance
  • Family integration and selected activities
After the retreat
  • Four weeks of virtual coaching sessions
  • Take-home strategies for the school year ahead
  • Confirmed post-week recommendations
Accommodation, meals, and optional activities
  • Accommodation is not included in the program fee
  • Breakfasts and dinners are on your own, with optional group dining on selected evenings
  • Optional local activities are separate
  • Groups over five family members require a custom quote

Most families stay at Living Water Resorts in Collingwood. After your discovery call, we share a curated guide with other area options. Living Water Resorts

More than 5 in your party? Contact us for a custom quote using the discovery call or questions form. Apply for a discovery call

Common questions

Is this tutoring or summer school?

No. This is a guided family learning retreat—not subject tutoring, grades, or a drop-off program. Parents and students participate together in hands-on workshops.

What ages is this for?

Families with school-age children through young adults typically attend together. Ask about the expected age mix during your discovery call.

Do parents and siblings participate?

Yes. At least one parent participates with the student, and the standard fee covers two to five family members. Parents and siblings take part as learners themselves—developing their own skills and insights while the family builds a stronger way of learning together.

How much of the day is structured learning?

Mornings and afternoons include guided workshop periods. There is also lunch together, late-afternoon rest or exploration, and independent or optional evening time.

Will we have free time?

Yes. The week includes family time, breaks, optional activities, and opportunities to enjoy Collingwood alongside scheduled workshops.

Where do we stay?

Accommodation is not included in the program fee. Most families stay at Living Water Resorts in Collingwood. After your discovery call, we share lodging details and a curated area guide.

Does my child need to want to come?

Willing participation matters. The student page at /for-students/ can help families talk through what the week is really like before applying.

What happens after the retreat?

You leave with strategies to practise at home and receive four weeks of virtual coaching sessions. Further follow-up can be discussed on your discovery call.

How do we apply?

Request a private discovery call using the form below. We discuss fit, session preference, and household size before registration.

Can we bring more than five people?

The standard fee covers up to five family members. For larger groups, contact us for a custom quote via the discovery call or questions form.

A boutique retreat for a small cohort of families each session.

Apply for a Private Family Discovery Call

A short conversation to understand your child, your family, and whether this week is the right fit. We respond within 1–2 business days.

Apply for a Private Discovery Call

Tell us about your child and family. We'll schedule a conversation to explore fit — ideal for larger groups and custom quotes.