We are going to try alternating the SIP Convention in-person in even years and virtual only in odd years. This year, 2024, we will be holding the retreat and convention in-person. All retreat activities will happen in-person only, including the SIP awards and business meeting on Sunday evening. We will offer live, virtual attendance for the conference portions, but this option will have minimal interaction opportunities. Next year, 2025, will be fully virtual to facilitate interactions within our community as best as possible. We had requests to incorporate the virtual option to make the conference accessible to more of our community who cannot travel and to allow the families and others outside of SIP to join us. In addition, this allows us to keep costs down for retreat and convention as we never charge anywhere near what our actual costs are. We will try the alternating format for a few years and revisit if this is the best approach to bring our community together.

The SIP Conference and Retreat are held annually, the weekend after Father’s Day in June. The SIP Retreat is held on Friday through Sunday. The SIP Awards Ceremony and Business meeting are on Sunday evening. The SIP Conference follows on Monday and Tuesday. The retreat distinguishes our annual conference from others as it exemplifies our value of connecting with each other as a community in an informal setting for a couple of days before the formal presentations.

While this might seem like a substantial time commitment, we have found that attending the conference AND retreat gives people plenty of time with colleagues, mentors, students and new contacts that we rarely have time for during the rest of the year. The conference is usually very busy, with less time for visiting. You do not have to attend both the retreat and the conference. Every year, time, work, tribal or family commitments lead some people to choose to attend only one of the events. This is up to your personal preference.

The SIP Conference and Retreat are for all SIP members, their families (children, siblings, parents, spouses or partners, etc.), guests, and anyone who works with Native American Indigenous people in the area of mental health (defined broadly) or is studying to do so.

The Retreat has two locations to choose from, the Utah State University (USU) Training Center at Bear Lake in Garden City, UT and the Logan Canyon Camp off the 89 N at the Franklin Basin Rd. exit. Both locations are a 45 – 60 minute drive northwest from Logan, Utah up State Hwy 89. We hope to reserve a spot at Franklin Basin for camping. A week prior we will send more information about camping so keep on the lookout!USU Bear Lake Training Center lodging

The USU Training Center at Bear Lake is a dorm-style housing option. The training center has 6 rooms with bunk beds, 4 beds to a room, and shared bathrooms and showers. There will be either all men or all women to each room. Towels, sheets, pillows and blankets are provided. A full kitchen with a refrigerator is available.

Camp Lodging: If requested, we can provide the following camp gear for those staying at the group camp: tents, sleeping bags, camping pads, and pillows. Please register at least two weeks before the retreat if you need these items as we need to locate, gather, and buy or rent the gear depending on needs. There are no facilities or amenities at the camp. We will rent two porta-potties for the camp.

Food is included with registration. Other costs may include additional food and entertainment outside of retreat activities.

Directions to the USU training Center and a map can be found here.

Direction to the Horse Camp and a map can be found here.

Networking & Socializing: The purpose of the SIP Retreat is to network and socialize with other folks with Native American mental health interests. If you are a first timer and there is someone you want to meet, don’t be shy! Go say hi!

Hiking: There are numerous hikes in the Logan Canyon, including Wind Cave, Naomi Peak, White Pine Lake, and The Crimson Trail. For an easier, nature trail type hike you may consider Limber Pine Trail.

Garden City tourism: (Bear Lake) is known for their “famous raspberry shakes.” Bear Lake is beautiful! You can swim and find water activity rentals. Enjoy the view on the deck at the Training Center or sit around the campfire at the Training Center or Group Camp.

Cell service is available at the USU Training Center and in the town of Garden City. There is no cell service in the canyon, including the group camp. There is wifi at the Training Center, but try to take the opportunity to unplug!!

During the Retreat you will want casual day clothes for warm and very sunny weather. Bring clothing and any desired items for activities including hiking, swimming, horseback riding, and sitting by the fire (chairs provided). All activities are optional. Bring appropriate clothes to get dirty, as you will be asked to help with setting up, cooking, cleaning-up or just making s’mores. Don’t forget your sunscreen and anti-bug concoctions.

If you are camping, make sure to bring warm layers such as socks, hats, and gloves because it can get cold at that elevation, usually low 40s, even in the summer.

The SIP Conference is held in Logan, UT at Utah State University at the Eccles Conference Center.

Directions and maps to Logan and the University can be found here.

View USU campus map to find the Eccles Conference Center here.

The Living Learning Center is the USU residence hall with dorm-style housing. Lodging includes a twin bed, sheets, pillow, a shared lounge area with a couch, table, sink, refrigerator, and microwave. (Bring your own towel.)

This lodging option does not include hotel-style amenities such as soap, shampoo, towels etc., room service or dishes and utensils. There are limited check-in hours. Alcohol and incense are prohibited.

Shared rooms typically house two people and each bathroom is shared between four people. Please be aware that there is sometimes confusion about who has a private room, so if you paid for one and did not get one, please let the front desk know. Please be sure to hang on to your room key, there is a charge if you lose it.

The University Inn is a small hotel on campus adjacent to the Eccles Conference Center, where the Conference is held. Your stay includes complimentary covered parking. If you want this option, make your reservation early because they can run out of rooms. You can reserve your room online or by phone directly with the hotel

There are many other hotels and Airbnbs in Logan.

Over the years, many Conference attendees have brought their families. There is an informal network of babysitters to accommodate childcare. If you are looking for this, please post to the listserv or email Melissa Tehee so that they can connect with you.

If your child is able to tolerate psychology presentations while playing or coloring quietly, they can easily be accommodated at a table in the back or at one of the sides of the room. In some years, several families have coordinated a craft table, depending on the number of children available.

Airport: Salt Lake City

You can then either rent a car (all major car rental companies are at the airport) to drive up to Bear Lake and/or Logan OR

Take the shuttle from SLC to Logan here.

To arrange for carpools, please feel free to make an announcement on the SIP listserv. This alone is a very good reason to join SIP – our dues are very inexpensive and worth the cost of the ride. Transportation between sites are often available through carpool, just ask.

Parking is free during the Retreat at the USU Training Center and the Group Camp.

Conference parking at USU is $10 per day which you can add on when you register. The assigned parking lots may change from one year to the next.

For those who stay at The University Inn, lodging includes complimentary parking in an adjacent covered parking structure called the Big Blue Terrace.