Haliburton Highlands Challenge 2024 - Brooksong Retreat and Cancer Support Centre (Formerly Abbey Retreat Centre)

The Haliburton Highlands Challenge is a unique fundraising event running from July 1 – September 30, 2024, that celebrates the important health benefits of moving our bodies in whatever way we can while supporting the vision and mission of The Abbey Retreat Centre. 

Participants are invited to choose an activity and goal (eg., bike, hike, run, walk, swim, chair yoga, paddle - however you choose to move), gather a team together, and invite family and friends to donate - knowing your support will help impact the lives of those affected by a cancer diagnosis. 

Who We Are

Our Mission: Abbey Retreat Centre supports people on their health and healing journeys, especially those diagnosed with cancer and their loved ones.

Our Vision: To be a safe, loving, and healing community.

Located in the Haliburton Highlands on a beautiful property surrounded by forests and ponds, the Abbey Retreat Centre provides whole-person care that is complementary to medical treatments for individuals with cancer and their loved ones.

In-person retreats and online programs offer rest and renewal, companionship, and an introduction to practices that help soothe, strengthen and restore the body, mind and soul in the midst of a cancer journey. Time in nature, gentle and restorative yoga, meditation and visualization, massage, expressive arts, a delicious plant-based menu, music, and meaningful group conversation are all elements of what make these cancer-support experiences transformational and healing.

All in-person retreats and online programs are offered at no cost to participants, recognizing that there are already many increased expenses for individuals and families facing cancer.

We rely on donations to ensure that our programs are accessible to all. 

Where Does the $ Go? 

Below is a breakdown of costs associated with ARC's in-person retreats and programming. As a registered charity, ARC relies solely on donations from generous supporters to continue to fulfill our mission of supporting people living with cancer.

$17,000:  A full 4-day in-person retreat for 10 guests

$3,400:    A full 4-day in-person retreat for a participant and their support person

$1,700:    A full 4-day retreat for an individual

$750:       A 4-week online cancer support program for an individual

$200:       An 8-week healing circle for an individual

$50:         An 'art bundle' kit for an individual for an online 6-week Expressive Arts Series

What is the Haliburton Highlands Challenge?

The Haliburton Highlands Challenge (HHC) is ARC's largest annual fundraising event, running from July 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024

Open to the local community and beyond, HHC participants (that's you!) are invited to 'Get moving in support of those with cancer.' Bike, hike, run, walk, swim, water-ski, do chair yoga, paddle - however you choose to move.

We encourage you to create a team of people you will 'get moving' with, and invite others to sponsor you through donating to Abbey Retreat Centre. You will be helping ARC to offer transformative and healing opportunities for people in the midst of a difficult experience. 

What is an HHC Fundraising team?

We encourage HHC participants to create a team. Your team will get moving together through whatever activities you choose! We encourage you to tell your family, friends, co-workers and neighbours about Abbey Retreat Centre, and invite them to sponsor you as you get moving in support of those with cancer. Many teams set a goal (ex. total KMs or time spent) and keep their sponsors updated throughout the challenge. 

INSTRUCTIONS (CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO WALK THROUGH)

'Create a Team' (The person that registers your team on Canada Helps is automatically designated as the team captain)

By creating a team, you will be able to set up your team profile, invite others to join your team, create a team fundraising goal, and generate donations. Once your team is created, you will receive a personalized link to share with people that will direct them to your specific fundraising page to join your team or donate.

1. Click "Create a team" and enter your e-mail. It will prompt you to create a Canada Helps account if you don't already have one. If you don't, you need to create a password. (It will use the e-mail address you already entered.)

2. Account type: "Personal"

3. Enter your contact information. (Name and address)

It will prompt you to answer a few questions. 

It will prompt you to create your personal fundraising page. This is the page you will share with others to support your personal participation in your team in the campaign. You will create your team page next. 

Create your team 

This is the page where others come to join your team. It shows your team's collective fundraising results, individual member's progress, and provides links to each team member's page. 

1. Create team name

2. Create a team fundraising goal (You can use the cost breakdown above if it's helpful!)

3. Tell your team fundraising story (optional)

Once your team is registered, the person who registered the team will receive a shareable link on the screen to share with others. You will also get an e-mail that "your fundraiser is live". 

If at any point you want to change details (team name, fundraising goal, etc.) or add photos of your team getting moving, you can sign into Canada Helps and edit your page. (Navigate to the top right corner of the screen.)

Join an Existing Team (CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO WALK THROUGH)

You can also join a team that is already registered! Click "Join a Team", choose what team you want to be a part of, set up your own profile page (you'll also have to create a Canada Helps sign in) and join in on reaching the team’s goals and activities.

Join as an Individual (CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO WALK THROUGH)

Individuals are also very welcome to participate! When you join as an individual, you are able to set up your own profile page, move on your own, set your own goals, and generate donations. 

Next Steps

After you choose how you would like to participate, you will receive an e-mail from us with resources, tips, sponsor information, and a welcome package. We encourage you to:

1. Talk with your team and set a goal for kms you will move and how much money you want to raise!
2. After June 1st: Ask family, friends, and co-workers to sponsor you as you MOVE toward your goal!

Help! I've encountered a problem when trying to create or join a team. 

Don't worry! If you have any questions or would like support to register or donate, please e-mail our HHC fundraiser coordinator emma@abbeyretreatcentre.ca.

Thank you!

Thank you so much for joining the Haliburton Highlands Challenge! We appreciate your willingness and enthusiasm to help support Abbey Retreat's Centre by getting moving in support of those with cancer!