Back to Basics
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Back to Basics this year?
Back to Basics will be on Saturday, February 17th, 2024. The event begins at 8am and is finished by 5pm.
Is Back to Basics the same weekend every year?
We partner with the Pine River-Backus Schools to host Back to Basics. The event takes up many classrooms, the gyms, and the cafeteria. In order to use the facility, we have to plan the event around their sports/school schedule, so we need to be flexible! Thank you for your understanding! We do our best to avoid other events with the limited options we have.
Where is Back to Basics?
Back to Basics is located at the Pine River-Backus Schools, 401 Murray Avenue, Pine River, MN 56474. Once you approach the school, there will be signs to follow.
Do I have to register ahead of time?
No, you do not have to register ahead of time, but we strongly recommend it. Workshops have limited capacity. Many workshops will meet their maximums and close for further registration before the event begins. Registering in advance is the best way to ensure you are able to attend the workshops you are most interested in, however, you can do "Walk-In Registration" starting at 8am at the event.
Why is the class I wanted to attend closed?
Because we partner with the school and our workshops take place in school classrooms, there is a very defined maximum capacity of each room. We want folks to be comfortable at the event and have a place to sit. We decide workshop maximums based on: the size of the room, the amount of chairs, and the presenter's preference. Some presenters require a smaller maximum for their workshops. We will update the workshop list online and our online registration platform when a workshop has met capacity.
Do I choose my workshops at registration?
Yes, due to the limited capacity of workshops, you choose the workshops you'd like to attend at the time of registration. Workshops are hosted in the school's classrooms, which can each hold a certain maximum number of people. Registering for workshops in advance helps the event run smoothly. We cap each workshop to ensure everyone attending has a place to sit and we won't have to turn people away at the door to go find another workshop the day of the event. It also helps our presenters prepare enough materials for their workshops, as many of them are hands-on. Some presenters choose to have a smaller maximum, based on the nature of the workshop.
Can I attend part of the day?
While we would LOVE for you to attend for the whole day, we understand that an 8-5 event for some folks is just not possible! The keynote address and the vendor area are open to the public for free - feel free to stop by! If you'd like to just take a couple of workshops, you have the option to register "Ala Carte" as a sort of "build your own day" option.
Is there an option for kids?
Back to Basics is intended for adults, though children who are in 7th grade or above are welcome to register as adults and attend workshops! There is no longer a K-6th Grade Kids program happening simultaneously.
Can I register for all five workshops and lunch?
With only a 20-25 minute break between sessions and such a large school, we do not feel confident that our participants will be able to get to the cafeteria, acquire their lunch, have time to enjoy it, and make it to their next session on time. It is very distracting to our presenters when folks are coming in late to their presentations. Instead, you are welcome to attend all five workshop options, but you will need to bring your own lunch to eat IN BETWEEN workshop sessions at your leisure.