This past weekend, a band of brave adventurers—siblings of children with cancer and bereaved siblings—embarked on a journey unlike any other. As part of Special Love’s BRASS Weekend, these amazing young people gathered at Northern Virginia 4-H Center, expecting a weekend of laughter, friendship, and fun. What they didn’t expect? A mysterious encounter with ancient ruins that would send them catapulting back to medieval Ireland!

Yes, you read that right. In a twist of fate (and maybe a sprinkle of leprechaun mischief), we stumbled upon the ancient ruins of Drouin and found ourselves in a time when knights roamed the countryside, castles dotted the hills, and leprechauns… well, they just caused a bit of playful chaos.

☘️ Welcome to BRASS from the Past! ☘️

As the sun rose over this new (and old?) land, our courageous crew wasted no time exploring their surroundings. Armed with creativity, teamwork, and just the right amount of Irish luck, they tackled medieval challenges and enjoyed activities designed to make them feel connected, supported, and—most importantly—celebrated for exactly who they are.  With a delightful little leprechaun as our quirky guide, we navigated crafts, games, and group bonding sessions that brought lots of smiles and maybe a few surprise twists. What could possibly go wrong with a leprechaun in charge? Turns out, not much! Just lots of joy, some spirited competition, and the kind of memories that last a lifetime.

We explored by day, formulated a plan to return to our own time, and laughed (a lot) along the way. Thanks to the magic of friendship—and some clever teamwork—we successfully journeyed BRASS from the Past and safely returned to our home time zone, forever changed by the experience.

More Than Just a Weekend

While the Irish theme and medieval fun gave our BRASS siblings a chance to be silly and adventurous, the heart of the weekend was always about connection—the power of being with people who understand. BRASS (Brothers and Sisters of Support) Weekend is a place for siblings to share their stories, support one another, and feel the strength of community in a way that’s uniquely theirs.

We’re so grateful to every camper, volunteer, and staff member who made the journey with us—and to the families who trust us with these incredible young people. They are the heart of Special Love.

Want to see all the action? Check out the BRASS Weekend photo album on our Facebook page here and relive the adventure with us!

Until next time, may the road rise up to meet you, and may your heart be light with the joy of BRASS! ☘️