Family Retreats
Together,
You Get to Breathe.
About Family Retreats
Special Love's Family Retreats give families affected by childhood cancer a chance to step away from treatment routines, appointments, and the constant weight of caregiving, and just spend time together. Held throughout the year, these weekends and gatherings bring patients, siblings, parents, and caregivers together with other families who understand exactly what your family is navigating. The result is something families don't often find anywhere else: rest, connection, and reminders that you are not walking this journey alone.
Program At a Glance
Family Retreats welcome the whole family — children with cancer, their siblings, parents, and caregivers. Bereaved families are warmly welcomed. Most events serve families from the broader DC, Maryland, and Virginia region.
Who
Families affected by childhood cancer — patients, siblings, parents, and caregivers. Bereaved families warmly welcomed.
Format
Mix of weekend retreats and day events held throughout the year
Location
Locations vary by event — primarily in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia region
When
Multiple events throughout the year
Cost
All family retreats are free to attend, with very limited exceptions (such as ski rental fees for parents during winter family weekend.)
What to Expect
Each family retreat has its own personality, but they share the same purpose: time together with people who get it.
Across the year, families gather for festive fall weekends in the Shenandoah Valley, outdoor summer days with mini-golf and ziplines, snowy ski getaways in January, and holiday celebrations in Washington, DC.
At every Family Retreat, you'll find kids playing freely with peers who understand each other, parents talking with other parents who don't need explanations, and quiet moments of genuine rest woven into days full of activity, food, and connection.
Family Retreats Throughout the Year
- Summer Family Day: Each summer at Smokey Glen Farm in Gaithersburg, Maryland. A full day of outside activities with a zipline, mini-golf, arts & crafts, food, music, and games. Open to children with cancer, their families, and bereaved families.
- Octoberfest Family Weekend: A festive fall retreat held each October at the 4-H Center in Front Royal, Virginia. Families arrive Friday evening for a weekend of fall activities, crafts, games, and quality time with other families navigating the cancer experience.
- Winter Ski Weekend: An annual January getaway for families. A 3-day winter escape at Canaan Valley Resort packed with skiing, snowboarding, tubing and tons of snowy fun! Accommodations and children’s activity costs are covered.
- Holiday Party: Each December at Pearl Street Warehouse in Washington, DC. An afternoon celebration with face painters, caricature and balloon artists, lunch, games, holiday sweets, and a visit with Santa. Our holiday party brings together 150+ program participants, volunteers, board members, and partners.
Hear From Participating Families
Cost & How It's Made Possible
All events are free for families to attend. For family outings, families must arrange for their own transportation.
Family Outings are made possible through the generosity of donors and partners who believe families affected by childhood cancer deserve time, space, and rest.
How to Register
Registration for each family retreat opens in advance of the event date. Watch the upcoming events calendar below for current dates and registration links or contact us to be notified when registration opens for an upcoming event.
Questions? Contact James Bell jbell@specialove.org
Frequent Questions
Do we need to be enrolled in any other Special Love program to attend a family retreat?
Can bereaved families attend?
Yes
How far in advance does registration open for events?
Approximately 6 weeks
Are accommodations and meals included in overnight retreats?
Yes
Are siblings of any age welcome?
Siblings under age 18, or over 18 if they are still living in the same house, are welcome to attend. Older siblings are welcome to volunteer!