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Who should attend the CA Joy in the Journey Retreat?

Any adoptive, foster, kinship or prospective adoptive/foster mom!

Whether you are interested in adoption or foster care, are just starting out, in the process, in the waiting stage, have just completed an adoption or foster placement, or have been an adoptive or foster mama for years...this retreat is for you!

 

What can I expect from attending the Joy in the Journey Retreat?

You can expect a weekend full of encouragement and connection with other adoptive and foster moms, where you will be poured into and taken care of.  We are an interdenominational ministry. The weekend will include main sessions, breakout sessions, worship times, meals, connection times, and some recreation time. It is a chance to rest, rejuvenate, refresh, and connect with God and other women who are walking similar paths.

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When is the next CA Retreat?

Saturday, February 1st - Sunday, February 2nd, 2025

How do I register?

Registration is now closed. You can navigate to the "Register" tab to join the wait list.

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Where is the Retreat?

The Retreat will take place at Hilton Garden Inn in Carlsbad, California. Please click here to find out more about this beautiful venue! 

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What is included in the ticket price?

The retreat ticket costs $175 and includes the following:

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• Admission, lodging for one night, and three meals: Saturday lunch and dinner and Sunday lunch ( and a coffee/pastry stipend for Sunday morning)

• Main sessions focused on this year's theme: With

• Interactive breakout sessions on a variety of topics

• Meaningful worship

• Opportunity to connect with other foster/adoptive moms who "get it" through intentional small groups as well as before and after the weekend in our private, retreat Facebook community

• Built-in down time for refreshment and relaxation 

• Fun activities and giveaways

• Pop-up boutique

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Attendees will stay in hotel rooms (two queen beds) with one other woman. At the time of registration, you can note your sleep habits (early riser, night owl, etc.) and also note if there is a specific woman with whom you'd like to room; if no requests are made, we will prayerfully assign a roommate, aka your new best friend!

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Please note that the hotel will charge a parking fee, so we recommend carpooling or finding a ride if you can!

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Can I stay an additional night(s) at the hotel?

You may be able to book one or more additional nights on the dates before and/or after the retreat dates. Please contact the Hilton Garden Inn directly to inquire about availability and potential discounted rates. 

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What is the cancellation or refund policy? 

Joy in the Journey is unable to refund any purchased ticket. If your availability changes, it is your responsibility to contact us at joyinthejourneycalifornia@gmail.com as soon as possible. If we have a waitlist at that time, we will help facilitate the transfer of your ticket if possible. We cannot guarantee that a transfer will be available.

 

In the event that Joy in the Journey, Inc. has to cancel the retreat due to health guidelines, a full refund (minus a handling fee) will be offered to ticket holders.

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Can I bring my baby/child?

This is a CHILD FREE event! As much as we LOVE children and babies, this retreat is designed for moms to rest, rejuvenate, refresh, and connect with God and others. Please no children or infants of any age. No exceptions. ​

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What if I have dietary restrictions?

We are able to provide vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free meals. Please mark this on your registration form. We are not able to make special accommodations for any additional dietary needs; however, there will be a small refrigerator in each room if your dietary needs require bringing some of your own snacks or supplemental food. 

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How do I know this retreat will be worth the trip/registration fee?

The Joy in the Journey team volunteers hundreds of hours praying, planning, and preparing for the Retreat each year. We work hard to offer a weekend that is designed with you and other foster and adoptive mamas in mind. The Joy in the Journey ministry has hosted ten Joy in the Journey Retreats in Missouri and two in California. We pray that you are truly blessed by the experience. Click HERE to see pictures, videos, and hear what others are saying about our past retreats.

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Are there any scholarships available to help cover costs?

There are a limited number of partial scholarships available. Scholarship applications may be submitted during the application period of August 24 - September 7th, 2024.

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How are speakers selected for the Joy in the Journey Retreats?

It is the heart of Joy in the Journey to align all aspects of the ministry with our mission of connecting, educating, and encouraging foster and adoptive families through a Biblical, God-centered framework. When selecting the speakers for our events, our teams begin with this goal in mind. 

 

Speaker selection is a multi-step process and begins with reviewing the post-retreat surveys from the previous year to gain insight into what the attendees learned and what they felt was lacking in the content of the sessions. That input is considered along with the schedule of the upcoming retreat to determine which speakers will be asked to return as well as what topics need to be addressed with new speakers. For the majority of the years, there is an open call for speaker applications, and those applications are considered based on their topics and framework. Those who fulfill the given need are offered a speaking contract for the upcoming event.

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