Awaken Our Spirit Retreat
Summer of 2022
“A Summer of Healing – A Summer to Remember”
At Focus on the Family – Awaken Our Spirit Retreat, we provide support for children, youth and families experiencing many forms of grieving, loss, mental health issues and dysfunction. Using Indigenous Cultural Components and Teachings using the Medicine Wheel, Tipi Teachings, Land Based Learning, Mental Health First Aid, Recreation and Spiritual Therapy. These Mental Health disabilities are a direct result of Inter-generational Trauma from Residential Schools, and we must provide intervention and prevention.
Here, they find a safe, caring environment that offers physical, spiritual, mental and emotional health support. We design programs to best meet their needs and interests, keeping them engaged and learning positive coping skills, not just mentally, but in all aspects of life. We teach them about independence, offering them opportunities to succeed at tasks in new surroundings and help boost their self-esteem. We focus them on their talents and gifts, helping them develop so they can use these as part of their healing journey. Supporting children, youth and families that need support is exciting and rewarding not only for us, but for all involved in the process.
After spending time with us, they know how to face challenges in life. It’s providing the skills of sharing, independence and self-reliance, in balance with all the Indigenous Cultural Components. Their true spirits and purpose shine through in all the things they will do and accomplish.
The two-week intense therapeutic program involves the following:
- Land based learning from qualified instructors and Elders.
- Mental Health First Aid
- Indigenous Knowledge Teachings
- Physical program and recreational activities, such as swimming and canoeing
- Arts and crafts
- Sewing: Ribbon Skirts and Shirts
- Cultural programming and cooking
Programs that will assist them in developing positive coping skills and the ability to handle themselves with confidence. We empower them with the knowledge and skill sets they can use for life.
Focus on the Family provides a retreat experience that contributes to healing for all children, youth and families as they grow, learn and flourish together.