Northern Gaming Retreat Fall 2026

Changeling Event Type: Age recommendation 14yrs +

Join Changeling Gaming for a Gamers Retreat in partnership with Springwood Cottage Resort, a perfect picturesque place for a relaxing weekend getaway with bespoke catering provided by Dining & Dragons.

Come as a group or solo, and we can help pair you up with community tables throughout the event. From strategy and adventure to cooperative and party mode, there will be something for everyone!

How to Register:

To host this event, we are partnering with Springwood Cottage Resort and Dining & Dragons to bring you the best weekend retreat experience. This means that tickets will be customizable for your stay! So, how will they work to reserve?

Step 1: Please RSVP for your spot using Eventbrite’s ticket sale options.

Step 2: A representative from Changeling Gaming will be in touch to assist with the booking of your event services.

Step 3: Changeling Gaming will place your final booking with Springwood Cottage Resort who will take payment for your booking. RSVPs using Eventbrite are only for starting the reservation and do not confirm your official attendance. Only once payment has been sent to Springwood will your booking be finalized.

Waitlist: Since the venue has limited rooms, an RSVP on Instagram, Facebook or Discord does not guarantee a reservation. If the pre-booked tickets sell out on Eventbrite, we recommend joining the waitlist to be notified in advance if a spot becomes available.

Cancellations: You may cancel 30 days prior to the start of the event with a $125 + tax cancellation fee per participant. Cancelations thereafter will not be refundable.

What to Expect: These 3 days will be a special gathering for gaming enthusiasts and storytellers eager to try new games or return to old classics.

• Games Library: Springwood has around 1000 board games in their personal collection that you can play from, so there will be plenty of options all weekend long.
• Guided Play Sessions: Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or a curious beginner, join guided sessions led by Changeling Gaming Experts, who’ll walk you through game mechanics, strategies, tips to boost your gameplay, and assist with new rulebooks.
• More than Boards: Changeling Gaming Experts will also be hosting role-playing and social deception games throughout the weekend, including Dungeons & Dragons, and Blood on the Clocktower.
• Cozy Accommodations: The retreat is designed for relaxation and connection. Enjoy cozy lakeside lounge spaces, scenic outdoor spots, and designated social hours for bonding over shared gaming and other awesome geeky passions.
• Unwind & Reconnect with Nature: In between gaming sessions, gamers may choose to take in the fresh country air at this picturesque lakeside setting to explore the local nature trails, try seasonal waterfront activities, or stargaze as they warm up by the outdoor campfire. With plenty of outdoor options to explore, gamers can enjoy the resort independently or during scheduled group meetups.
• Bespoke Catered Menu: Also a foodie!? You are in luck! For this event we will be joined by Dining & Dragons founder and head chef, Nick Heckbert. He will be making up the most delicious food all weekend long so you can keep gaming on! Food is a passion for Nick, so expect a personal experience, with menu accommodations to any dietary need.

Fall Seasonal Special Events: What’s unique about the Fall Northern Gaming Retreat?

• Themed Game Selections: Board Games will be in theme with autumn, including more nature-based games, and it being October, more spooky Halloween classics.

• Even more roleplaying & social deception games!: With the Fall edition comes even more storytelling, so be prepared for more custom Blood on the Clocktower, themed RPGs, and mysteries to solve!
• Fall Fantasy Activities: Some activities will be themed and include a dress-to-impress requirement. So be prepared to walk through the woods in your cloak or shoot a bow and arrow as a ranger.

Note: Participants should be prepared to also dress appropriately for weather conditions as they will be venturing outside along a rough terrain between cottages throughout the weekend and will have the option of experiencing outdoor activities, such as canoeing, bonfires, hiking, and more!

Activities Schedule:

Check-In is available anytime after 1:00 PM on Oct 16th

Check-Out must be complete before 4:00 PM on Oct 18th

The weekend is yours to design! Either by joining in the pre-scheduled activities or coordinating with other attendees to play board games on your own time. You may also choose to schedule your own nature adventures with the support of Springwood Cottage Resort staff upon arrival.

Curious to see what we may have planned? Check out past seasonal retreat schedules.

Admission & Lodging:

Your purchase will include: 3 Days and 2 Nights at Springwood Cottage Resort, as well as bespoke catering (Day 1: Dinner, Day 2 Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, Day 3 Brunch), and access to all retreat activities!

Drinks will be BYOD - this is to reduce the cost on your admission and give folks the option to bring the beverage of their choice! Springwood has safe drinking water, and we will be providing coffee & common tea at breakfast. Each cabin has its own fridge, so you can bring in your own cans to keep cold, or brews to prepare warm if you would like your own variety of choice and preferences.

Community Cabins (shared amenities): For your stay, the cabins will be subdivided into individual room bookings. Rooms will provide you with privacy and a sleeping area, and each cabin has shared common areas including a kitchen, washroom, and a porch with a deck.

You may book rooms with twin bunk beds in Community Cabins in one of three ways,

1. Multi Occupancy - Hostel Rm | $495 + tax per person: Share with 1-3 other gamers attending the retreat. It's a great cost-saving option for those coming on their own who are looking to make new friends . Attendees may request gender-specific rooms upon registration. They may also request to be with other guests, but arrangements are not guaranteed unless privately booked (as below).
2. Multi Occupancy - Private Rm for Two | $530 + tax per person: Looking for a guaranteed way to share with someone you already know? This is a great option for friends or a weekend getaway as a couple.
3. Single Occupancy - Private Rm | $695 + tax: Go solo and enjoy a private room to rest and recover in between games.

Once registration closes, guests will be assigned to rooms and cottages, and may be given room upgrades (where available) based on their Changeling Membership Status and the time of their booking.

Note on how beds are measured: Bunks can sleep 2-4 people depending on their size (kid vs. adult) and bunk shape (by mattress). Mattress shapes can be referred to as either twin, double, or queen. So a twin bunk, has a twin mattress on both the top and the bottom, so can sleep one person on the top and one person on the bottom. Verses a double bunk bed is one that has a top and a bottom with a double mattress on both layers, and so can sleep two people on the bottom and two people on the top.

Additional Private Upgrades:

1. Guaranteed Bed(s) Arrangement | $80 + tax per room: The default room is a twin bunk bed. This upgrade allows you to choose your bedroom layout instead for those who are hoping to lock in, for example, a queen or two twins.
2. Guaranteed Amenities Upgrade | $80 + tax per request: This upgrade allows you to choose a particular amenity for your assigned cottage. These are a great add-on option for those who may want a guaranteed a hot tub, lake view, etc.
3. Private Cottage | $250 + tax per group: This is perfect for those guests who want to not only lock in their room layout but also want to share a cottage with other gamers as a large group. Additional benefits,

• You can choose your cottage! (Selection is subject to availability and with some exclusions for specialty cabins needed to host retreat activities.)
• By being able to pick your cottage, this allows you to lock in your preferred amenities, ie a hot tub or waterfront view etc.
• Note, if you are at or under-occupancy for a cabin, you will be required to purchase a full buyout of the rooms at single-room pricing in addition to the $250 booking fee. As you add in more guests, your pricing will be adjusted to hostel rates for any shared rooms. For example, a 2-room cottage with 3 guests would be priced at 1 x single-occupancy room and 2 x hostel occupancy beds, regardless of the bed types in each room; i.e., you do not need to buy out all the bunk beds.

Registration Schedule: At 6 PM each day and with 10% Earlybird discount applied,

• Thursday, September 10th - Previous Fall 2025 attendees
• Friday, September 11th - Subscribed Changeling Special Events Members
• Saturday, September 12th - Subscribed Changeling Board Game Members and gamers who attended either the Winter 2026 Retreat or the Spring 2026 Retreat.
• Sunday, September 13th - General Public
• Thursday, October 1st - Earlybird Registration ends
• Sunday, Oct 4th (11:00 AM) - Activities schedule is finalized and posted.
• Thursday, October 8th (11.59 PM) - Registration closes.

Membership & Passes: Changeling Gaming Memberships include event discounts and early registration for our community. After just two events within a 30-day period, our members save, with the potential of over $80 per month!

For this event, don't wait to register! Subscribe for a membership with us on Patreon. Proof of membership will be required during final registration.

Note: Temporary Membership Passes do not apply to this event.

:

Springwood is an all-season boutique cottage resort with 17 cozy and tastefully decorated cottages nestled on the banks of Kennebec Lake within Central Frontenac. In this wonderful, picturesque area of Ontario, the cottages are surrounded by mature trees and gorgeous views. The resort features a large sandy private beach, marina, general store, plenty of gathering areas and most importantly, a large common games room! With a focus on comfort, it is the perfect place to connect with nature, disconnect from technology, and of course, PLAY GAMES! With all this, we could not ask for a better place to have a weekend getaway together.

What's the Space Like?: Changeling aims to craft the best gaming experience when at our partnering venues while respecting their space, regular services, and capabilities. While we can’t always make adjustments to our shared space, we can still provide information to help you make an informed decision about attending. Here’s what to expect on an average visit,

• 💡Lighting: Warm & Bright
• 🔊Sound: Low
• 🪑Chair Type: Everything from cushioned to flat, and with back support.
• ✨Event Capacity/Venue Capacity: Large (40+ Gamers)-
• 🚪Public Presence: Semi-Private shared spaces with other guests.
• 🪟Airflow: Fresh and good quality
• 🎲Table Space: Ranging from small to large.

Catering for the weekend: Included in your admission is full catering, so you can keep on gaming all weekend long! Joining us to provide a delicious, fine-dining, bespoke menu is Nicolas Heckbert, the owner and head chef of Dining & Dragons. The menu for this event is a wonderful mix of familiar, comforting foods with an elevated, exciting approach. Cozy food for a fall retreat that promises to satisfy and keep your energy for adventuring all weekend long.

A firm believer in no limits to what can be created with food, Dining & Dragons' head chef Nicolas Heckbert, is always excited to curate to one’s preferences and needs to the point of invention, making him the perfect person to pair food with our games. In fact, his most important belief is, just like games, that food is FUN, and that sharing a meal should always be enjoyed. An experiential goal which is in exact alignment with what this weekend retreat is all about.

Example Menu Options:

• Spaghetti Bolognese with Grana Padano
• 6 oz Burger (optional to add cheese or bacon) with Fries
• Vegetarian Rice Bowl with Fried Tofu
• Maple Fried Chicken with Pan Fried Sprouts and Waffles
• Hearty Ratatouille Lasagna (Vegan and Gluten Free)

Shared Transportation By Car: Springwood Cottage Resort is centrally located just off Highway 7. It is approximately (with good traffic) 2.5-hours North-East of Toronto. Where possible, we encourage participants to carpool. Once in our retreat Discord, you will be able to connect with other attendees to coordinate, and be assisted by the Changeling Gaming team to ensure you have a safe and comfortable travel plan.

About: We are a collective of game experts based in Toronto. Our mission is to help folks find the right games for their tables and to create safe, accessible, and welcoming spaces to play games and make new friends along the way. Changeling Gaming Experiences includes,

• Changeling Gaming -: Since 2023, Changeling Gaming has been hosting events in collaboration with local venues in the Greater Toronto Area. From board games to RPGs, anything gaming, we are there to have fun and make friends along the way.
• : Join us in Liberty Village for your next shopping experience and even more events!
• Northern Gaming Retreats: Sometimes it can be hard to game for just one night! Our seasonal retreats are a great way to game all weekend long, escape the city, and create deeper bonds within the community.
• The Rainbow Gaming Hub: Our team likes to give back to our communities; having queer founders, Changeling works to create extended safe spaces for folks under the rainbow umbrella to gather and game.
• Changeling Gaming -: Get into games with our experts’ tutorials.

Didn't find the answer to your question in the Eventbrite FAQ? Try our Retreat Extended FAQ.

Still have any questions? Join the Changeling Discord to connect, ask questions to our Game Experts, and learn when even more games are scheduled!

Save the Dates!: Check out our upcoming Gaming Retreats Collection for even more getaway options.

Photography Disclaimer:

Please note that photos and videos will be taken at the event for use on social media to show new members what our gatherings are like, and to also share on the Changeling Community Discord, so we can all look back on the fun moments gaming together. If you wish to remain off-camera, please let our team know once on-site so we can direct you to the photo-free tables.

Photo Credit: @imjimador

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Springwood Cottage Resort, 1018 Blue Heron Ridge, Arden, Canada

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