Are you a bereaved parent who feels trapped in the darkness of your grief, especially with the painful reminders of everyday life? Or are you a bereaved parent who is weary from missing your child?
Then this come-away weekend is for you!
Come join us for a relaxing and meaningful time with others who get it. At Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) we know there will never be a time when we are “over it”, and our grief is behind us. But we can take intentional steps toward a greater measure of healing, allowing us to live life with hope, light and purpose again, not in spite of our child’s death, but because we want to find a way to live that honors his or her life.
Join GPS Hope founders Dave and Laura Diehl, for a weekend retreat in 
various places around the nation, where you will be encouraged to take off your masks, be yourself in your grief, and share your children and your journey together.
Your time away will strengthen you in all three areas of life, body, soul and spirit by
o Allowing your body to relax in a soothing atmosphere
o Receiving encouragement for your aching soul
o Give you a safe place that is free of any judgment or shame for you to explore where you are spiritually and to grow your relationship with God
Psalm 62:5 Let all that I am (body, soul and spirit) wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. (NLT) (Italics added)
You will also:
• Gain clarity on how to move forward in a way that honors the life of your child.
• Get to know on a personal level author, speaker, singer and podcaster, Laura Diehl, and her husband, Dave (co-founders of GPS Hope).
• Walk away with life-long friendships of others who understand the issues of the death of one’s child.
All meals are included, starting with supper the first evening, 
and ending with a hearty brunch on Sunday before everyone leaves. We have a special cook who comes to all our retreats to make the food and serve our special attendees delicious meals.
What does the schedule look like?
Arrival time on the first evening varies, but is usually late afternoon. We have a relaxing evening with supper, getting to know each other, and there is a short word of encouragement from Laura.
The day(s) consists of a few set times for sessions taught by Laura and Dave, along with free time to go off on your own or chat with each other. In the afternoon, there is time set aside where the men will do an activity with Dave and the women will spend time with Laura.
Saturday night is a meaningful candlelight ceremony in honor of our children.
Sunday morning, there is a final session with a very special closing ceremony and a brunch before we all say our final good-byes and head home, refreshed and strengthened.
Some of the possible sessions throughout the weekend:
- This Was Not in My Plan
- Grace in Grief
- Parents in the Bible Who Lost a Child
- Where is God in All of This?
It is important to note that music and times of worship are woven into the weekend, as it is a pathway to the soul and can bring some much needed peace and healing.
TESTIMONIES FROM PREVIOUS RETREATS:
- My favorite part was being together and being able to open up. You get to learn that you are not alone. ~Jeff
- The whole weekend really blessed us and is giving us the strength to walk thru our daughter’s 2nd anniversary. ~ Kristin
- When I got here I wasn’t too enthusiastic or optimistic about coming, but I am so thankful for y’all and this weekend. It ministered to me. ~ Salvador
- I loved spending time with other pareavors, especially in a Godly setting. ~ Val
There is a set registration fee, and a separate fee for accommodations, based on the room chosen. Rooms are first come first serve, based on payment.
(Note: The registration fee does NOT include transportation to and from the retreat. Please feel free to use the private Facebook Group to pool together for rental cars from the airport, etc.)
OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE SPONSORS COVER THE RENTAL COST OF EACH VENUE, ALLOWING US TO CHARGE A SMALL ACCOMODATIONS FEE. IF YOU KNOW OF ANY COMPANY THAT MIGHT BE INTERESTED, PLEASE CONTACT US AT office@gpshope.org.
If you would like to have a retreat in your area, click here.
Upcoming 2023 GPS Hope & Healing Retreats
Virginia 2 night Retreat
Fairhaven at Castleton Farms
July 14-16, 2023
This beautiful home is discreetly nestled in 500 acres of rolling farmland called Castleton Farms 60 miles southwest of Washington, DC, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is a great place to get away with other parents who have also been thrown on this unwanted journey of child loss. With such a small, intimate group, you will be able to laugh together, grow together, yes cry together, and receive a measure of healing together, emotionally and spiritually.
Friday night arrival and registration will be from 4 to 5:30 pm with dinner at 6. Their is a hot tub in the court yard if interested.
Registration Fee:
- Couple – $195 plus room selection
- Mom only – $120 plus room selection
This retreat sponsored by
Scott & Mary Schoeler
In memory Agnes & Karl Schoeler
& by various other donations.
Thanks to their generous donation we can drastically reduce the price of the rooms for you! Here are your options…
COUPLES ONLY – King w/ private bath $30 per night for $60 (plus registration)COUPLES ONLY – Queen w/ private bath $20 per night for $40 (plus registration)
- COUPLES ONLY – King w/ private bath $10 per night for $20 (plus registration)
- MOMS ONLY – King bed in a shared room / bath with another mom $10 per night for $20 (plus registration) 2 spots available
Click here to fill out a registration form.
Details for traveling:
235 Hope Hill Road
Castleton, VA
Closest airport:
Dulles International Airport (IAD), Washington D.C. – 1 hr.
Reagan International Airport (DCA) Washington D.C. – 1 1/2 hr.
Questions or problems registering? Click here.
