MBP Retreat 2025

The MBP Retreat has evolved into a great way for students and faculty in Medical Biophysics to meet and learn about their research programs in a relaxed and bucolic setting.

The retreat program features:

• Keynote address from a prominent scientist in the field of Medical Biophysics
• Scientific seminars presented by faculty and students
• Research career panel discussion with faculty members
• MBP award banquet
• Mixer with drink tickets
• Generous time to network, socialize and enjoy all the recreational activities Campfire Circle has to offer

The cost of the retreat is fully covered by the Department. Please note that students who register are required to attend the entire program. Those who choose not to attend the entire program will be charged the full cost of their accommodation.

View the most recent schedule for the 2025 MBP Retreat.

The event is hosted at Campfire Circle Muskoka, located on Lily Lake, about a 2.5h drive from Toronto.

Campfire Circle Muskoka
4256 ON-141,
Rosseau, ON
P0C 1J0

Download a Site Map of Campfire Circle Muskoka.

A series of registration emails were emailed to MBP students and faculty over the past couple of months. If you missed these emails and wish to register, please contact Charlie Berger.

The chartered buses to Campfire Circle Muskoka will depart from the Princess Margaret Cancer Research Tower (PMCRT), located at 101 College St. (Southwest corner of Elizabeth and College) on Monday, September 15th. 

• Please arrive and meet at the Elizabeth St entrance by no later than 9:00 am to check in for departure with members of the MBP retreat committee (click here to see a retreat bus departure infographic). The buses will leave shortly after. 
• There will be a 45-minute break mid-journey for bus passengers to purchase lunch, if required.
• Click here for a map showing the location of PMCRT

To save time at check-in, please print, sign and bring the Liability Waiver with you.

• Campfire Circle Muskoka’s address is: 4256 ON-141, Rosseau, ON, P0C 1J0
• Please arrive by no later than 2:00 pm on Monday, September 15.
• There are two parking lots: an upper parking lot (adjacent to Gatt’s Lodge) and a lower parking lot (next to the Sports Barn and main entrance). If one lot is full, please park in the other. Please refer to the site map for more details.
• To save time at registration, please bring the printed and signed Liability Waiver with you.

Student Accommodations: This venue is typically used as a summer camp for children, so the bulk of the beds are in shared rooms. As a result, students will stay in rooms of up to 9 people.

Room Assignments: An email will be sent out to attendees with a link to choose their room/roommates in early September.

Bedding: Bedding is not provided at Campfire Circle, as it is typically used as a summer camp. Attendees are required to bring their own pillows, blankets/sleeping bags, towels, and toiletries (soap, shampoo, etc.).

Valuables: Please note that this venue is typically a summer camp for children with potentially serious health conditions, so for safety reasons, individual cabin rooms do not lock. If this is a concern, please consider bringing only smaller valuables that can be always carried with you (i.e., phone, keys, wallet, backpack, purse). Attendees who leave valuables in the cabin room will be doing so at their own risk. The Department and Campfire Circle are not responsible for any lost or stolen items.

Swimming: Swimming is only permitted in the presence of a designated Campfire Circle lifeguard and during designated ‘swim times’. A 'swim test' will be administered by Campfire Circle staff for all those wishing to swim during the designated time.

Climbing Wall, High Ropes, and Team Swing: If the organizing committee includes these activities during designated activity times, these facilities are only to be used during those designated times and in the presence of Campfire Circle staff.

If you have any concerns related to safety at the event, please let us know.

Campfire Circle is requiring all attendees read, initial, and sign a ‘Liability Waiver’ before entering the site. 

Download the waiver.

To save time during initial registration, you are strongly encouraged to download, print and sign it ahead of time and bring with you to Campfire Circle.

Alcohol: This will be a primarily dry event. Alcohol will be provided for one special event only and the serving/consumption of alcohol will be limited to a specific space within the venue at a specific time. Attendees are not permitted to bring their own alcohol on site.

The venue is typically used as a summer camp for children, so there is a strict alcohol policy and the Department has agreed to abide by this.

Smoking: The smoking of tobacco and/or cannabis is not permitted on the premises.

Outside Food: Campfire Circle is a nut-free environment. Please do not bring any food items that contain nuts on site.

Packing List

• Bedding 
  • Pillow 
  • Blankets/Sleeping Bag/Sheets
• Toiletries
  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Soap
  • Shampoo
  • Towels
• Casual clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, this is ‘camp’, after all
  • Be ready for both hot and cold weather - this is an unpredictable time of year
  • Running shoes for more active events
• Umbrella or waterproof jacket, in case it rains - we must walk outside to get from building to building
• Flashlight, if you would rather not use your phone. It gets very dark at night
• Refillable water bottle