Central Region Gathering
Welcome to the Central Region Gathering 2027 event page! Here you will find all of the details for this year’s gathering. If you have any questions, please contact Sarah at events@yfc.ca.
Event Details
Location & Venue: Elkhorn Resort, MB
3 Mooswa Dr E, Onanole, MB R0J 1N0
Dates: January 5th-8th, 2026
Jan 5th:
Arrival, Registration & Check in: 4:00-5:30pm.
Dinner is at 6:00pm.
Jan 8th:
Departure & Check Out: 10:30am
Registration Fee
Registration fee for this year’s “ALL INCLUSIVE RETREAT PACKAGE” (includes accommodation, meals & retreat fee) available until December 1st:
$740 (double occupancy)
$1,020 (single occupancy, subject to availability)
Billing for the Central Region Gathering will be invoiced directly to the chapters.
*A friendly reminder that the Gathering is a “staff only” event – unfortunately we do not have room at this location to host all of our Central staff plus their families. We do apologize for any inconvenience.*
Accommodations
Registration has been set up as an “ALL INCLUSIVE” package and will cover your accommodations, meals and retreat fee, which means that you will not be booking your accommodation directly through Elkhorn.
Accommodations will be assigned by the retreat coordinator. We will do our best to accommodate your preference for rooms and roommates, while strategically assigning accommodations to ensure that as many staff as possible are able to attend the retreat and stay at Elkhorn.
Thank you for your understanding.
Schedule
| Day |
Time 4:00 PM |
Session REGISTRATION |
Location Main lobby |
| Tues. Jan. 5 |
|||
| 6:00 PM | SUPPER | Dining Room | |
| 7:30 PM | OPENING EVENING SESSION | Salon A, B, C | |
| 9:00 PM | CONNECTING / FREE TIME | Pool, Lounge, Salon A, B, C | |
| Wed. Jan 6 |
8:00 AM | BREAKFAST | |
| 9:00 AM | WORSHIP & PLENARY | Salon A, B, C | |
| 10:30 AM | CONNECTING / COFFEE TIME | Salon A, B, C | |
| 11:00 AM | WORKSHOPS | Salon A, B, C Salon D Presentation Room |
|
| 12:30 PM | LUNCH | Dining Room | |
| 2:00 PM | PLENARY | Salon ABC Salon D Presentation Room |
|
| 3:00 PM | CONNECTING / FREE TIME | ||
| 6:00 PM | SUPPER | Dining Room | |
| 7:30 PM | SESSION | Salon A, B, C | |
| 9:00 PM | CONNECTING / FREE TIME | Pool, Lounge, Salon A, B, C | |
| Thurs. Jan 7 |
8:00 AM | BREAKFAST | |
| 9:00 AM | WORSHIP & PLENARY | Salon A, B, C | |
| 10:30 AM | CONNECTING/ COFFEE TIME | ||
| 11:00 AM | WORKSHOPS | Salon D | |
| 12:30 PM | LUNCH | ||
| 1:30 PM | CONNECTING / FREE TIME | ||
| 6:00 PM | CELEBRATION SUPPER / AWARDS | Dining Room | |
| 8:00 PM | WORSHIP & PRAYER | Salon A,B,C | |
| 9:00 PM | CONNECTING / FREE TIME | Pool, Lounge, Salon A, B, C | |
| Fri. Jan 8 |
8:00 AM | BREAKFAST – BUFFET | |
| 9:00 AM | CLOSING MORNING SESSION | Salon A, B, C | |
| 10:00 AM | CHECKOUT & TRAVEL HOME |
SPEAKERS
 |
Wayne Friesen (National) As Training Coordinator for Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Wayne supervises and assists staff moving through Foundations, YFC’s training program. As Staff Care Specialist, Wayne meets with members across Canada to support and resource them through individual counselling and also facilitates staff retreats at Honeymoon Bay Lodge & Retreat, YFC’s retreat centre on Vancouver Island. YFC staff members are Wayne’s favourite people and he feels very fortunate to use his skills and abilities to enable them to experience health and resiliency as they fulfill their calling with YFC. |
| …and two more TBA! |
WORKSHOPS & SPECIAL EVENTS
Workshops:
- Burnout and Healthy Ministry Rhythms
- Cross Cultural Youth Ministry
- Discipleship with Gen Z and Gen Alpha
- Ministry Partner Development
- Crisis Conversations with Youth
- 4 Chair Discipleship
Special Events:
For our Celebration Banquet on the evening of January 7th, we ask that you dress up! We look forward to celebrating all that God has done this past year!
Free Time Ideas:
– Skiing (equipment available at your own cost)
– Snowshoeing (equipment available at your own cost)
– Skating (skated available for rent at your own cost)
– Fire Pit (pre book with front desk at your own cost)
– Sauna (pre book with front desk at your own cost)
– Spa time (with your pre-arranged passes)
– Tobogganing
– Board Games
– Painting
– Puzzles
– Outdoor Hot Tub
– Pool
– Outdoor walk
– Quiet Prayer Time
– Nap
RESERVE DISCOUNTED SPA PASSES
Discounted one-day spa passes can be reserved ahead of time for $80+tax, payable upon arrival at the conference registration desk. Full-price passes will also be available at the resort. These passes do not include spa services, only access to the pools.
RENTAL COSTS
If you are interested in outdoor activities you may want to consider bringing skates, skis or snowshoes. If you would rather rent equipment, Elkhorn has rentals available as well:
- Skate Rental: $8 (4 hours or less), $14 (4-8 hours)
- Snowshoe & Cross Country Ski Rental (trails onsite): $16 (4 hours or less), $30 (4-8 hours)
- There are also private Saunas for rent at $60 for 4 hours
WHAT TO BRING
- Indoor shoes or slippers
- A swimsuit if you wish to use the pool or spa
- Winter attire for outdoor activities
- Bible & notebook/journal