Where is Lighthouse Family Retreat?
Lighthouse Family Retreat is a national ministry, serving familes from all over the United States. Our retreats are hosted in the Florida panhandle between Destin and Panama City Beach. Families stay in several of the beach communities like Seaside, Rosemary, Watercolor, Seacrest Beach, and Gulf Place. Our offices are in Norcross, Georgia – just north of Atlanta.
What does a typical Lighthouse day look like?
We have a daily schedule that starts with breakfast and a morning devotional and then continues with a full morning of parents sharing, kids playing, and beach fun. There’s free time after lunch and then an evening activity after dinner. We’ll wrap up before 9pm, so everyone can get plenty of rest. We encourage families to engage in all of our retreat activities.
What if both parents can’t attend the retreat?
We strongly encourage both parents to attend. Since this is a family retreat we want the family to experience this together. If only one parent is available to attend, we suggest you wait until there is a time when the family can attend together.
What if we have to come late or leave early?
It is very important to arrive on time and stay throughout the retreat. We have designed a program that begins when you arrive and we want you to be able to experience all of the special activities we have planned. Since our space is limited, we give priority to families who can be there for the entire retreat, with all of their family members.
Can my child bring a friend?
Our program is focused on reconnecting families and renewing relationships with each other. For this reason, we do not allow families to bring friends with them to the retreats.
What do we need to bring?
We recommend bringing a bathing suit, a pair of flip flops and something casual to wear for your special night out. We dress for the beach – comfy and casual. You do not need anything fancy. We will provide all of your meals and snacks, beach toys, sunscreen and beach towels. You will receive a complete list of suggested items to bring in your acceptance letter.
How much does it cost?
There is no cost for a family with cancer to attend the retreat. Your only responsibility is to get to and from the retreat on your own. You may chose to drive or fly to a local airport, which could be either Fort Walton Beach or Panama City, Florida. Transportation to and from the airport is your responsibility.
What are the sleeping arrangements at the retreat?
We rent houses (and sometimes they are donated to us for the week) for the families and volunteers. The families stay in houses together – with 1 to 4 families in each house. Each family has their own bedroom(s) and bathroom; common areas are shared. The volunteers stay in separate housing where we cook, eat and have daily retreat activities.
If I have to cancel, can I come on another retreat?
If for any reason you realize you cannot attend the retreat you are accepted to attend, please notify our office immediately. Every year we have more families apply than we have space for, and we want to give families on our waiting list time to make plans to attend, if an opening becomes available. If you cancel, we will try our best to move you to another retreat.
What if my child gets sick? Is there medical support at the retreat?
If your child gets sick, Sacred Heart Hospital in Destin, Florida is minutes away from the retreat sites. Lighthouse has a solid working relationship with the head of Oncology at Sacred Heart Hospital. If needed, we will coordinate phone calls to your child’s oncology team and go with you to the hospital.
Who are the volunteers and what do they do?
The retreats are hosted by volunteers from all walks of life – from past retreat families, to business executives, to stay-at-home moms. While we cannot change what you will face when you go home, our volunteers give their vacation time so that you can have a week of rest and fun with your family – without having to worry about “what’s for dinner?” and “who’s going to clean-up?” While there is no cost for the retreat families to attend, the volunteers gladly and generously raise funds to cover their cost to serve at the retreat.
