Imagine how your world would change with the diagnosis of cancer…watching your child face challenges that most people will never have to face…your once comfortable and routine life is now one entangled with chaos, uncertainty and fear. 

Now, imagine a world that is carefree – kids just being kids, playing in the sand and laughing in the sun.  Imagine a world where routine hospital visits, shots and daily worries are in a far away place – a place where children with cancer and their families can retreat from their everyday struggles and enjoy life. 

Welcome to The Lighthouse Family Retreat!

 

The Lighthouse serves children with cancer and their families and helps them to laugh, restore family relationships and find hope in God at seaside retreats. Since The Lighthouse was founded by Melinda Mayton in 1999, over 600 families have reconnected at 50 beach retreats. 

 

Each retreat is comprised of approximately 12 retreat families and 30 volunteers who serve the families by cooking, cleaning and taking care of daily responsibilities so that the retreat families can focus on having fun together. The retreat season runs from April through October, with 10 retreats scheduled annually. Currently, all retreats are held on the Florida panhandle, in beach communities along 30-A. Our hope for the future is to have multiple coastal retreat locations to share The Lighthouse experience with even more families!

 

If you are a family living with childhood cancer and would like to attend our retreat, visit our For Families page. If you are an individual or family interested in volunteering at a retreat, visit our For Volunteers page. To learn more about The Lighthouse program, visit Our Program below.