Information for Families
What is Family Retreat?
U.S. Family Retreats specifically focus on families navigating the challenges of disability. We value each person as an image-bearer of God and worthy of dignity and respect! We strive to create a rich, Christ-centered environment at each Family Retreat that is safe and accepting for each member of the family.
Joni and Friends Family Retreat offers a safe and accepting environment where you will find fellowship with other families who face similar challenges, build lasting memories, and renew your hope in God. All Family Retreats have unique activities and are packed with exciting adventures for the whole family.
Each day there will be programs that include age-appropriate worship, teaching, crafts, and recreation. Parents and caregivers will also enjoy small group discussions, relaxing activities, and practical seminars that address family life and issues related to life with a disability. During free time, there will be a variety of fun, accessible activities that might include swimming, arts and crafts, sports and games, and more! Evening activities are designed for the whole family to participate together and may include entertainment, outdoor BBQ, carnival, bonfire and s’mores, and a talent show.
Family Retreats offer specific programming for typical siblings that consist of separate teaching times, small group discussions, recreation, and fun activities!
Caring and trained volunteers will serve your family throughout the week. Your family’s assigned volunteer will attend all activities with your child with a disability, allowing the whole family to participate in programming and to make the week restful and enjoyable.
Each volunteer has undergone a thorough screening, background check, and has completed training. We have additional volunteers to assist in each age-group program, recreation, arts and crafts, and more. There are plenty of friends to support your family during the week.
No, volunteers do not provide personal or medical care. If your family requires such care, it may be necessary to arrange for a Personal Care Attendant to attend Family Retreat with you. Your family’s Personal Care Attendant will need to fill out their own application.
Although Joni and Friends does not provide a Personal Care Attendant, our team will assist in connecting families to support resources.
Our team strives to meet the needs of each family regarding any special accommodations, diets, and other requirements indicated on the application. Applicants may discuss any special requests during the approval process.
Application and Pricing
You may apply to the Family Retreat of your choice. You may only attend one retreat per year so that we are able to serve as many families as possible. We recommend attending the retreat closest to your home in order to build friendships with other families, volunteers, and churches nearby.
Check out our upcoming Family Retreats to choose a retreat and apply online. Once your application has been received, you will receive an email with next steps. We recommend applying as early as possible once applications are made available.
Families can add a Personal Care Attendant to their application when they apply for the event. Alternatively, the Personal Care Attendant can apply on their own later by providing the name of the family they are attending with.
Yes, there is an option for additional applicants to join your family or group application. The additional applicant will need to apply as a new applicant or login with their existing account. The new applicant should not be added via the primary family member’s account. To get started, access your Family Retreat event page.
Unfortunately, no. Families may only attend one Joni and Friends Family Retreat per year. This ensures that we are able to serve as many families as possible.
The cost of Family Retreat varies by each location and includes all lodging accommodations, meals, and program costs. The cost does not include transportation to and from the event.
Many families attend Family Retreat with the help of their church, friends, family, or other organizations. Joni and Friends offers fundraising resources as well as partial scholarships.
Payments can be made through our Joni and Friends Participant Center.
Select the “Sign-In” button at the top of the website and select the name of your event on your homepage. Then select “Make a Payment” on this page and submit your payment information.
Go to our Joni and Friends Participant Center by selecting the “Sign-In” button at the top of the website. Then, select the name of your event on your homepage. Your fundraising page URL is on this next page. Share this page by copying and pasting this link to an email, text or your Social Media platform.
We make it easy for friends and family to Sponsor a Participant. Simply click the “Sponsor a Participant” button on our Family Retreat webpage and search for the participant you wish to sponsor.
Joni and Friends does not refund payments unless cancellation is caused by an extreme medical situation or if Joni and Friends cancels the event.
