Help! Retreat Questions!

[RobRob]

I TOTALLY want to come this year! I joined the forum right before the last one but everything was still kind of OVERWHELMING for me. I will LOVE it this year! Anyway, I am wondering: I don't have a laptop so I am going to borrow my mom's and bring that. Does this laptop I bring need to have photoshop(Probably I assume)?, Internet? Do I need to have pictures loaded onto it?
Alos, Although SLC is only about an hour drive for us, I was thinking it would be fun to bring my husband and kids! Is that allowed? I thought we could all sleep together and then when I go to classes, he could take the kids to the children's museum, or zoo, or to the hotel's pool, something like that. Does that work? If so, what package do I book for that? A private room with whatever classes I want? Is that right?
Another thing, if someone that went last year has time, will you write something about like what the retreat is like?! From being on the forum I realize we get to stay the night and go to lots of cool classes but walk me through the day! I am so curious. Are all the classes right there in the hotel? How do we do classes? I have only ever taken Alisha's here on the internet at home. How does a live class work? Are our computers hooked together? Or we are taught something and try to do it along step by step? Who teaches? Are there multiple classes going on at once and we need to register for certain ones? Or is it one after the other and if we sign up for a day we get to go to all?
Sorry for such a long post! I really want to know all the details before I make my big plans! Thank you for reading and thank you in advance if you have answers for me!

[supermombritt]

I love your questions. I did not go last year either so hopefully someone will post so we can both know.

[a_c_danica]

OK, so I was there last year and I can answer from my point of view and what I remember, but I also know that some things have probably changed for this year, so any corrections are welcomed!
For the laptop questions. You do have to have some type of photoshop on it. I know that last year there were a few girls that had a different version on the laptop that they had at the retreat than on the computer that they usually use and that made things a little confussing, but there are so many people there that know every version that even if you don't know the version you can cheaply get on the laptop there will be someone there that will happily answer your questions. You do need to bring some pictures with you either on a CD or on the computer. I know that last year some of the classes actually told you how many of what kind and oriantation (vertical or horizontal) to have together so you could complete the project in the class.

[a_c_danica]

For the hubby quesiton. I know that some of the girls brought there husbands and kids last year and did just what you are saying (hubby played with kids while they were in class) If this is the kind of "retreat" you want (I am looking forward to a weekend with the girls :) ) then I say go for it! There is so much to do that time of year for everyone. As far as I know you are right to book the private room and include what ever classes you want to take, when registering.

[a_c_danica]

OK so as for classes I can answer for last year, but I know that there are some things that may change this year, so April will have to make corrections to this post for this coming year, but hear goes for last year. (please keep in mind I was about 8 weeks prego, so my memories aren't perfect either but there is a general idea)
We checked into the hotel and had an opening party which included a gift bag full of way cool digitalscraping stuff (one of the CDs, photo paper... so much more) And then there were drawings for so many more prizes. I can't remember if we had a lot of instruction that night, but I think April did a few basic things with us.
The next morning we started bright and early with class... Now all the classes were in the hotel, so we didn't even have to leave the hotel the whle time if we didn't want to (they had a restaurnt there)... We brought our laptops to everything, the teacher had their laptop projected onto a screen that we watched then worked on our project on our computer after a few steps or so, and any questions were answered and then we moved on.... We only had one or two classes going on at a time, but when there were two classes the teachers would change rooms the next hour, so we all got to take all the classes. So as of last year we all just signed up for the day and got all the classes. We did have snack breaks and meal breaks and this is when we had so much fun getting to know each other better, and find great food within walking distance.
The classes went well into the evening last year, but we still hadn't had enough of each other so we stayed up and chatted in the lobby and had a great time, I antisipate this again this year.
OHHH...teachers, last year we had several of the girls that I'm sure you know from the forum teach, I know that some of them will teach again this year, but April is having some friends from out of state come and teach this time too... which is especially exciting because I know some of them have been around digital since it first started, so they are total experts!!!
I hope I answered your questions... and anyone who has a better memory than I please add!

[sherbear222]

Wow! This sounds so fun. I totally want to be there. I'm hoping I can make it work. Thanks for the info. (I know I didn't ask for it, but I appreciate it nonetheless).

Sherilyn

[Alyson]

The only thing I would add to Alex's description of the classes is that there was a separate class for beginners some of the time. The beginner's class is for anyone who hasn't work with photoshop or has done no scrapbooking. If you have a basics knowledge of photoshop (layers, building a layout, etc...) you would go to the other class. I'm sure April will give us more details soon about this years retreat, so you'll get the full scoop.

[April]

Hi! It's fun to come and see all of your questions. I'm the same way... I like to know everything I can about the events I attend. Because it takes so long to plan I won't be able to give you all of the details of this year’s event today but I can give you some ideas of what to expect.

Here is a TENTATIVE schedule for this year's retreat. Some of this may change but you can definitely expect a schedule very similar to this:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/oakapr/classSchedule-1.jpg

Most classes will be based on a project. You will learn more about digital scrapbooking while completing a project. Last year we created, cards, screen savers, tiles, recipe boxes, mini books, CD case calendars and other things I can't remember right now.

There will be plenty of classes for all levels of digital scrapbookers including beginners. Many class times will be divided into two groups (one for beginners).

You will need Photoshop on your computer. Any version of Photoshop (including Elements) is fine.

Teachers will teach in front of the group with a LCD projector. The teacher will teach the concepts then give you time to try them on your own computers. There will be teacher's assistants wondering around in the classes to help those who need extra help.

Internet is not needed. I'm pretty sure it will be offered for free in the guest rooms, but I don't remember for positive.

You will want to bring pictures. We will give you a better idea of what types of pictures to bring closer to the date of the event.

If you get a private room you can have anyone you want stay in your room with you. The hotel does charge extra for more than 2 people in a room, unless they are kids under 18. This is the perfect option if you want to bring your family.

**If you are bringing your husband and kids I would definitely recommend the SLC Connect Pass (http://www.visitsaltlake.com/visit/connect_pass.php?s=visit). It gets you into lots of popular fun places for one price.

If you get a double room you have to specify who you want your roommate to be. Your roommate needs to sign up and pay for the double room package, just like you. This will be clear when we have the registration form up.

[RobRob]

Alex and April! Thank you thank you thank you! I LOVE that you both replied and answered my questions so well! That was really fun to read and it gets me all hyped up for the RETREAT! Woohoo! I am so excited to come this year, if I can. April, can you tell me more about that SLC pass? Where do I get it?
Again, thanks for the info. I am just that way, love to know all the little things and what to expect!

[RobRob]

Good comment Alyson for the beginners. If I was new I would think the retreat was NOT for me (like I though last year!) but obviously it is! So c'mon all newbies!!

[April]

April, can you tell me more about that SLC pass? Where do I get it? Oops. I meant to link it in my post above. I'll edit my post and link it there but here is the link again...

http://www.visitsaltlake.com/visit/connect_pass.php?s=visit

[Alishaw]

I'm late in adding my $.02, but IT WAS A COMPLETE BLAST!!!! The projects were fun, the classes were great and more than anything to really get to meet everyone was so awesome!! If you can come, you really should!! it is worth it!!

[Jamie Hamblin]

So fun and so exciting. Seeing people actually get digital scrapbooking and having a fun time making all of the AMAZING projects. PART-AY for digital!