One thing that makes Lighthouse Family Retreat so special is that families serve together, and kids especially play a key role on the volunteer team. They not only get to serve in the traditional sense—carrying plates, cleaning spaces—but their most important role is hanging out with all the other kids and creating a fun, welcoming environment for the kids of the Retreat Families. We thought it would be fun to interview some of these rock stars and share their insight and experience with you!
Note: Not sure what some of the Lighthouse terms below mean? Keep scrolling down for a little “insider language” tutorial! Then join us on a retreat and you’ll be “speaking Lighthouse” like a pro!
HOW OLD ARE YOU? 16
HOW MANY RETREATS HAVE YOU ATTENDED? 1
WHO USUALLY COMES TO SERVE AT LIGHTHOUSE WITH YOU?
I went with fellow students as well as staff members from Valor Christian High School in Colorado.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE EVENT AT LIGHTHOUSE, AND WHY?
My favorite event was the UnBirthday Party. It was amazing to see the joy in the kids as they celebrated their birthdays that they maybe couldn’t have before.
TELL ME ABOUT A FRIEND YOU MADE AT LIGHTHOUSE. WHO WERE THEY? HOW DID YOU CONNECT? WHAT DID YOU LIKE TO DO TOGETHER?
I made a friend named Owen. My team and I served Owen and his family at Lighthouse. Owen is an amazing kid who had undergone treatment. He was such a funny and kind kid. We connected when we drew pictures and swam during Flip Flop. Our favorite thing to do together was drawing.
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY FROM ANY LIGHTHOUSE TRIP YOU'VE TAKEN.
My favorite memory from the Lighthouse trip was doing the worship on the beach.
WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU DO WELL AT LIGHTHOUSE? WHAT GIFTS/TALENTS/QUALITIES DO YOU PERSONALLY BRING TO THE TEAM?
At Lighthouse, I was kind and caring to the family that I served. I bring helpfulness and compassion to the team.
HOW DO YOU THINK YOUR LIFE IS DIFFERENT BECAUSE YOU'VE SERVED AT LIGHTHOUSE?
Serving at Lighthouse made me want to continue helping others in my own life. Because of this experience, I made the decision to commit to going with my school to Thailand in 2022. The Lighthouse retreat has allowed me to see that I can make a difference in this world by helping others.
WHY WOULD YOU TELL OTHER KIDS THEY SHOULD COME SERVE AT LIGHTHOUSE?
I would tell other kids they should come and serve at Lighthouse because of how fulfilling the experience was to me. It was amazing to serve the families at the retreat and to see their joy and happiness.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE ABOUT LIGHTHOUSE THAT YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE?
I would just like to share how wonderful of an organization you are and how truly amazing my experience was at your retreat.
Lighthouse Family Retreat Glossary:
UnBirthday Party: On Wednesday night during retreat, we get to celebrate birthdays for all the kids on retreat while the parents are gone for the night at Parent’s Night Out. We sing, dance, eat ice cream, and have LOTS of fun!
Flip Flop: This happens while the parents attend Common Ground and is a time for all the kids and volunteers to do crafts, swim, play games, and have fun—all together!
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