Hearts of Hope Teen Retreat is an opportunity for teens to gather together and find others their age who have experienced the death of a loved one. The program schedule is designed to help teens understand loss and their reactions and feelings about the death of their loved one while meeting, hanging out with and having fun with others.

"At first I thought it was going to be a loooooonnng weekend; I had so much fun and there was so much to do that it went by too fast." - Michael, 16 years old

Hearts of Hope Teen Retreat is time away from other family members, time with kids their own age who understand how deeply death affects teens, time to remember their loved one and time to play and hang out.

"I feel like I've known these guys all my life! We're BFF now!" - Samantha, 15 years old

Teens will participate in activities that may include a climbing wall, swimming, drumming, memory books, anger exercises, graffiti walls, candle lighting, camp fires, snacking, talking, music, snacking, talking, and more snacking.

"I didn't want to go and didn't think I'd want to do any of the stuff but once I got there and everyone else was having a good time with it, it was easy." - Britney, 14 years old

"I came because my mom wanted me to but I'd come back again now that I've been here and I'd tell other kids it's not all about crying and stuff, it's a good time too." - Dylan, 17 years old

Hearts of Hope Teen Retreat gives teens their own time and place to express how they feel and how the death of their loved one has affected them. Teens get support and understanding that their feelings are natural and they're not alone in their grief.

"It helps to know I'm not the only one." - Ashley, 13 years old

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Because of the on-going commitment and generosity of our donors, Hearts of Hope Teen Retreat is free to participants.

Click here for a teen retreat application.

Click here for links to our camp facilities.