The Summer Vacation Retreat retrospective brings a fun, vacation-inspired twist to team reflection by highlighting wins, leaving behind what doesn’t serve, and packing new practices for future journeys.

When to use this template

Use this retrospective at the end of a sprint or project, especially when your team needs an energizing, lighthearted session to spark creative ideas and boost morale.

How to facilitate

Create a welcoming, vacation-themed atmosphere to set an easygoing mood for reflection

Introduce each column: suggest new adventures to start, name burnouts to leave behind, and celebrate what to chill and continue

Invite everyone to brainstorm and add ideas to all three columns, encouraging creative vacation metaphors

Give team members time to silently read through others' notes and add comments or questions

Group similar items in each column and clarify their meanings as needed

Lead a team discussion to prioritize which adventures to try, which burnouts to drop, and how to keep the best parts going

Identify concrete action items based on the discussion for each column

Close with a quick virtual toast, shout-out, or round of thanks to reinforce team connection

Pro Tips

Use fun icebreakers or music to strengthen the retreat vibe and help the team relax

Encourage playful language and storytelling—relating habits or blockers to summer vacation moments can spark fresh perspectives

Watch out for over-packing the 'start' column—focus on 1-2 new ideas to try, not everything at once

Prompt quieter team members with direct questions or anonymous contributions to ensure everyone's voice is heard

FAQ

What if the team struggles to come up with new 'adventures' to start?

Prompt them with examples or ask about small improvements they've wanted to try. Sometimes rephrasing as 'What have you seen work in other teams?' can help spark ideas.

How do you handle recurring 'burnouts' that keep surfacing every retro?

Acknowledge these patterns, dive deeper to understand what’s blocking progress, and assign clear ownership for addressing the pain point this time.

Is this format suitable for serious project challenges?

While the tone is playful, the structure works for any situation by framing tough topics in a safe, creative way and ensuring actionable outcomes.

How do you make the session inclusive for remote participants?

Encourage cameras on, ensure equal speaking turns, and use collaborative tools so everyone can contribute their thoughts comfortably.

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At a glance

Duration
45–60 min
Team Size
4-12 people
Columns
3 columns
Base Format
Start, Stop, Continue

Ready to get started?

Use this template to run your next retrospective

🌞🏖️ Summer Vacation Retreat

Pack your bags for an agile getaway! Let’s reflect on our sprint like a memorable summer vacation — celebrating highlights, avoiding sunburns, and packing the best habits for the journey ahead.

Template Columns

🌅 New Adventures to Start

🌵 Leave Behind the Burnouts

🍦 Chill and Continue

About this template