November 7, 2024 5:00 PM - November 10, 2024 10:00 AM

Cost
Full Registration: $150

Scholarships may be available. Please e-mail info@jamesonsjoy.org if your family needs financial assistance.

The third annual Family Grief Retreat will be held at the Earthshine Lodge in the beautiful mountains of Lake Toxaway, North Carolina.

This retreat will allow families who have lost a child between the ages of birth through age 20 to gather together, share experiences and stories, and take steps toward healing.

Grief looks different for everyone. While we understand that losing a child is a common factor, this is a family retreat planned and organized to support families that include the mother, father and siblings. All are expected to attend this event.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the age restricted to Birth through 20 years?

In order to make the retreat highly effective, we have a very tightly focused area of discussions. During this retreat we discuss things such as our children not making it through elementary, middle or high school, siblings growing up without theirs and more, and how to raise other children living in the house of a deceased sibling.
Although we respect the loss and recognize the grief of every parent, the activities and discussions for this retreat are focused on the loss of younger children. For those parents who are grieving the loss of adult children, we would be honored to help get you connected with other organizations that may offer better assistance to you.

I am a single parent. Can I attend?

During this retreat we discuss how to make a marriage work after losing a child, how to support your spouse through grief, how to work together to grieve but still take care of your home and raise your other children. We also have teambuilding activities for parents to do together.

If you are a single parent, a grandparent, or other, we would be honored to be able to support you in any way we can separate from this retreat.

Our child was an only child. Can we attend?

Yes, if your child was in the age range of birth through age 20, the activities will be appropriate for you. We will have discussions about family and parenting after loss, but if you are comfortable with those discussions, the retreat is appropriate for you.

Is this a religious retreat?

Religion plays a role in every sapect of life. Although this is not a religious retreat, we do have Christian beliefs that guide us. Our therapists do discuss, in a limited amount, God and how a Christian God helps us process our grief. With that said, we accept all religions. We respect all discussion topics that involve a family sharing its own religious beliefs. If you are open-minded and can participate in discussions that involve other religions, we welcome you.
We do not accept any beliefs that involve sharing experiences, visions, conversations, etc. with any other children of the other families. It can be very traumatizing to a family to hear another person discuss seeing their child while the parents themselve have not had those experiences.

What types of activities will be held?

There will be 1-3 sessions led by professionals each day. These sessions will see the whole families together at some times, men and women in separated, but also sessions where the children are separated from their parents. Other activities will be offered to remember our loved ones, but also to truly get away in the beautiful mountains and have some fun. Fun activities offered may include archery, axe throwing, candle making, blacksmithing, hiking, llamas, and more.

Is the cost really $150? Am I missing something?

The cost is really $150. This includes lodging, food, activities and the sessions with our therapists. Jameson’s Joy picks up the majority of the cost of this event, and thanks to wonderful people who donate, we are able to offer everything at this low price.

Tentative Schedule

Thursday, November 7

3:00 pm Checkin and explore the property

5:30 pm Dinner

7:00 pm Campfire Smores and sharing about our children

Friday, November 8

7:30 am Breakfast

9:30 am Session 1 with professional therapist

12:00 pm Lunch

1:00 pm Family Fun Activity

3:30 pm Session 2 with professional therapist

5:30 pm Dinner

7:00 pm. Campfire Smores and casual discussion

Saturday, November 9

7:30 am Breakfast

9:30 am Session 3 with professional therapist

12:00 pm Lunch

1:00 Family Fun Activity

3:30 pm Session 4 with professional therapist

5:30 pm Dinner

7:00 pm Campfire Smores and Candle Remembrance Ceremony

Sunday, November 10

7:30 am Breakfast

8:30 am. Session 5 with professional therapist

10:00 am Checkout