A Podcast for Grieving Moms July 1st, 2023 ...
Child Loss Retreats
Child Loss Retreats
The death of a child is the worst experience a parent can endure. A child’s death puts a family on a journey of grief that will last their entire life. We provide a serene stop along the way in the Northwoods of Wisconsin to get away from day-to-day life and honor their child.
As the first dedicated retreat facility, Faith’s Lodge was created to be a safe haven for grieving families to reflect, explore and just be with people going through a similar experience. Here, you are free to share stories, talk, cry and yes, even laugh.
With a variety of different retreats offered year-round, grieving families can find support, resources and hope when they are ready.
RETREAT Rates
We want anyone who needs Faith’s Lodge to be able to come. We are able to keep our guest rates low thanks to the generosity of our donors and partners. Rates are the same for single, parent, and family retreats.
First Time Guest Rate: $149/night per room
Returning Guest Rate: $249/night per room
*All stays require an additional $50 booking fee that is transferrable but nonrefundable.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Thanks to the generosity of the Gougeon Family, we are able to offer financial assistance to first time guests who are unable to pay for some or all of their stay. Funds are available on a first come first serve basis for first time guests in either full or partial. If you are interested in receiving financial assistance for an upcoming retreat, please apply below.
Please note that by applying for financial assistance, you are not registered for a retreat. Financial assistance does not cover the $50 booking fee.
Book a Retreat
Bereaved Parents of Early Pregnancy Loss Retreat
Bereaved Parents of Pregnancy/Stillborn Loss
Bereaved Family of Pregnancy/Stillborn Loss
Bereaved Parent Infant/Toddler Loss Retreats
Bereaved Family Infant/Toddler Loss Retreats
Designated for parents and their children (up to 18 yrs) who are grieving the death of a child born alive – 2 years of age.
As an added protection for you and your children as you attend a retreat with other guests, background checks are required for all individuals 18 and older attending a retreat where children are in attendance.
UPCOMING DATES:
Bereaved Parent Youth Loss Retreats
Bereaved Family Youth Loss Retreats
Designated for parents and their children (up to 18 yrs) who are grieving the death of a child 3 – 12 years of age.
As an added protection for you and your children as you attend a retreat with other guests, background checks are required for all individuals 18 and older attending a retreat where children are in attendance.
Bereaved Parent Teen Young Adult Loss Retreats
Bereaved Family Teen Young Adult Loss Retreats
Designated for parents and their children (up to 18 yrs) who are grieving the death of a child at 13 – 26 years of age.
As an added protection for you and your children as you attend a retreat with other guests, background checks are required for all individuals 18 and older attending a retreat where children are in attendance.
UPCOMING DATES:
Bereaved Mothers – All Ages Loss Retreats
Bereaved Parents of Homicide Loss – All Ages Loss Retreat
Bereaved Parents of Suicide Loss Retreats
Bereaved Family of a Medically Complex Child Retreats
Designated for parents and their children (up to 18 yrs) who are grieving the death of a child up to age 26 who suffered from a medically complex condition.
As an added protection for you and your children as you attend a retreat with other guests, background checks are required for all individuals 18 and older attending a retreat where children are in attendance.
Bereaved Parents of Overdose Loss Retreat
Bereaved Parents of Missing Children
This retreat serves parents coping with the death of a child who was also missing for an extended period of time as well as those parents coping with the pain, frustration, and grief that comes with having a missing child.
The nightly cost of this retreat is fully funded by our friends at Bryce’s Blessings who support parents coping with the ambiguous loss of a missing child. (All retreat fees are covered. Transportation not included/covered.)
UPCOMING DATES:
What Goes On At Retreats
A stay at Faith’s Lodge is generally a long weekend and guests have their own spacious guest suite with a private bathroom, fireplace, balcony/patio, reading area, desk and small refrigerator. Guests choose to do as much or as little connecting with others as they prefer while there. Meals and activities are included in each stay. Click on each activity below to learn more.
Massages
Yoga
Grief Group Discussions
1:1 Therapy
Nutrition Programming
Therapeutic Arts & Crafts
Memorial / Remembrance Activities
Enjoying the Outdoors
Meals All Included
Massages
Enjoy a complimentary 15 minute massage in the quiet comfort and peaceful setting of the lodge. A professional masseuse provides a range of options from relaxation to deep tissue all aimed at relaxation and health.
Mindfulness/Yoga
Faith’s Lodge yoga is accessible for guests of all shapes, sizes and yoga experience. Our instructor combines physical postures, breathing techniques, and relaxation all with the goal to promote mental and physical well-being. Based on provider availability, mindfulness and meditation practice takes the place of yoga.
Grief Group Discussions
Twice each weekend, a licensed facilitator will lead your group in discussion and exploration of grief. The first discussion, early in the weekend, is sharing of stories that brought guests to Faith’s Lodge. The second discussion, later in the weekend, is meant to provide resources and dialogue around topics relevant to the group. Facilitators foster a comfortable environment and guests can share as much or as little as they want.
1:1 Counseling
Thanks to the generosity of The BeliEve Foundation, optional one-on-one therapy sessions with a licensed mental health professional are offered at no cost to our guests. These visits can be for individuals or couples. Please note that these are not therapeutic or diagnostic visits – they are meant to give direction and resources in navigating your grief.
Chef-Lead Cooking Experience
Because good food is a universal connector, we bring in a talented local team who will walk guests through a delicious recipe and meal preparation from start to finish. Guests can participate in the prep or sit back and watch. No matter what, all guests get to enjoy the results.
Therapeutic Memorial Activities
Don’t worry, you don’t have to be crafty. We provide the space and materials – you bring your heart and grief. Our staff has a variety of activities that are meant to keep your hands busy and fill your heart with hope while creating a memorial (or two) for your child.
Memorial/Remembrance Activities
Don’t worry, you don’t have to be crafty. We provide the space and materials – you bring your heart and grief. Our staff has a variety of activities that are meant to keep your hands busy and fill your heart with hope while creating a memorial (or two) for your child.
Enjoying the Outdoors
There are over two miles of trails nestled in the 72 acres of Faith’s Lodge. Canoe on our two lakes, walk the meditative labyrinth, find Sophia’s Bridge and Grace’s Garden or just explore the outdoors and beauty of Wisconsin’s North Woods.
Meals Included
Just bring yourself and a change of clothes – we’ll take care of the rest. Balanced meals are provided from the time you arrive through the morning of your departure. Even on nights when we encourage guests to explore the town, we’ve still got you covered with a selection of self-serve items in our gourmet kitchen. (Please note: notify staff of food allergies prior to your visit.)
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The Hearn Family
“Our weekend at Faith’s Lodge was the first time we felt understood by others. Faith’s Lodge helped us create lasting peaceful memories. From painting rocks, to the birdhouse with her name on it. We felt a bond to our daughter that weekend that will be cherished in our hearts forever.”
– Jennifer Hearn, Oaklynn’s Mom
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Faith’s Lodge located?
Faith’s Lodge is located in Northwestern Wisconsin near the town of Webster, less than a two-hour drive from the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area, less than one hour from Duluth/Superior and about four hours from Madison. Detailed driving directions will be sent to you prior to your stay.
If you are flying to come to Faith’s Lodge, Minneapolis St. Paul (MSP) is the closest large airport to Faith’s Lodge. From there, it’s about a 2 hour drive northeast.
Is Faith’s Lodge faith-based?
No, Faith’s Lodge is not associated with any one religion. The Lodge was named after our founders’ daughter Faith who was stillborn. We welcome everyone to bring their own spirituality and religion and apply it as they wish.
How many families/parents attend each retreat?
Faith’s Lodge can accommodate up to 8 families or 8 couples/parents for each retreat.
Who is allowed to attend a retreat with me?
In order for connections to take place at Faith’s lodge, child loss retreats are only indeded for parents of the child that passed away. This includes biological/legal parents/guardians. We understand that many people in your life are like a parent to that child and are also grieving. If youhave questions or are wondering if someone is able to attend a retreat, please call 715-866-8200.
Family weekends are designated for parents and siblings of the child that passed away.
How long are retreats? When should I come?
Retreats are generally 3 nights.
Check-in is between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Please let our lodge staff know an approximate time of your arrival. Check out is 11:00 am on the day of your departure.
In order to fully experience a retreat at Faith’s Lodge, we strongly encourage guests to attend the full duration of the retreat. If you have a unique circumstance or plan to arrive late, please notify our Lodge Manager prior to your arrival.
Are the retreats tailored more for brand new grieving parents or can we come at a later time?
Our retreats are for any and all grieving parents. Everyone’s journey is different and we try to meet everyone where they are. While we cannot guarantee that you will meet others on your same timeline, we can tell you that we see many parents looking for connection 10, 15 or even 20 years later. We have been told by parents who have lost a child 10+ years ago that seeing and talking to some of the newly grieving parents helped them realize just how far they’ve come. While they may be in a different place now, they still very much want to connect with others who understand their pain.
What happens after I register for a retreat?
You’ll receive a confirmation email from our Lodge staff within 2 business days. Prior to your stay, you’ll receive an email and brochure with an itinterary, what to bring and further information about your stay. If for some reason you don’t receive an email, please check your spam folder or email info@faithslodge.org or call 715-866-8200.
Why is a background check required for family weekends?
As an added protection for you and your children as you attend a retreat with other guests, background checks are required for all individuals 18 and older attending any Bereaved Family Retreat where children are in attendance. The background check is confidential and will be completed though a third-party service. Guests will receive their complete background check results directly via email and Faith’s Lodge will only be notified if a violent crime or sexual conduct offense is presented. There is no additional cost to the guest for this service, unless the guest chooses to cover the cost of the background check. Please contact us with any questions.
What is your cancellation policy?
Should you need to reschedule your reserved stay for any reason, any collected fees can be applied to a future program of the guest’s choice.
If a guest wishes to cancel their reservation, refund policies are:
- Booking fees of $50 are non-refundable if a guest cancels, but are transferable
- Cancellations 61 days or greater from the scheduled stay: 50% refund of room fee
- Cancellations within 15-60 days of scheduled stay: 25% refund of room fee
- Cancellations within 14 days of scheduled stay: No refunds
If a guest has not paid in full at time of booking, the cancellation charges will be automatically charged to the card on file.
Can I bring my own food and beverages?
Yes, while Faith’s Lodge provides 3 meals a day, guests are welcome to bring their own meals and beverages (alcoholic and non alcoholic) during their stay. Each guest suite has its own personal refrigerator to store smaller food and drink items.
Do you allow pets?
Faith’s Lodge does not allow family pets but we proudly adhere to the standards set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that provides protections and rights to a person with a disability. That means that any person with a service animal is welcome.
Both federal (ADA) and Wisconsin state laws specify that a person with a disability is permitted to use a service animal in establishments such as restaurants, retail stores, and other businesses. However, the laws do not protect the use of an emotional support animal in those places.
Service Animal Defined by Title II and Title III of the ADA
A service animal means any dog (or, miniature horse) that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Tasks performed can include, among other things:
- pulling a wheelchair
- retrieving dropped items
- alerting a person to a sound
- reminding a person to take medication
- pressing an elevator button
Examples of animals that fit the ADA’s definition of “service animal” because they have been specifically trained to perform a task for the person with a disability:
- Guide Dog or Seeing Eye® Dog is a carefully trained dog that serves as a travel tool for persons who have severe visual impairments or are blind.
- Hearing or Signal Dog is a dog that has been trained to alert a person who has a significant hearing loss or is deaf when a sound occurs.
- Psychiatric Service Dog is a dog that has been trained to perform tasks that assist individuals with disabilities to detect the onset of psychiatric episodes and lessen their effects.
- SSigDOG (sensory signal dogs or social signal dog) is a dog trained to assist a person with autism.
- Seizure Response Dog is a dog trained to assist a person with a seizure disorder.
Emotional support animals, comfort animals, and therapy dogs are not service animals under Title II and Title III of the ADA. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not considered service animals either. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the individual’s disability. It does not matter if a person has a note from a doctor that states that the person has a disability and needs to have the animal for emotional support. A doctor’s letter does not turn an animal into a service animal. While Emotional Support Animals or Comfort Animals are often used as part of a medical treatment plan as therapy animals, they are not considered service animals under the ADA. These support animals provide companionship, relieve loneliness, and sometimes help with depression, anxiety, and certain phobias, but do not have special training to perform tasks that assist people with disabilities. Even though some states have laws defining therapy animals, these animals are not limited to working with people with disabilities and therefore are not covered by federal laws protecting the use of service animals. (source ADA National Network)
Is Faith’s Lodge handicap accessible?
Yes, Faith’s Lodge is handicap accessible and ADA compliant. Please let us know if you need a handicap accessible suite.
Do you offer translator services?
We will do our best to accommodate translator services based on availability in the local area. Please contact us ahead of time to coordinate translator services.
Are pregnant people allowed to come to retreats?
Yes. We understand that being around someone who is expecting can be very triggering after a loss. We do welcome all bereaved parents and legally cannot ask in advance if anyone is expecting. Like everything in grief, this is individual, so we want to be thoughtful and respectful of everyone who attends a retreat at Faith’s Lodge and needs support and connection.
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| Title | Address | Description |
|---|---|---|
Faith's Lodge - Retreat Center | 6942 Co Rd C, Danbury, WI 54830, USA | 6942 County Road C Danbury, WI 54830 |