Frequently Asked Questions

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.

When is the next CA Retreat?

Friday, February 26th - Sunday, February 28th, 2027

How do I register?

Registration opens on November 6, 2026. Navigate to the “Registration” tab for more details.

Where is the Retreat?

The Retreat will take place at The Ranch at Saddleback in San Juan Capistrano, CA.

What is included in the ticket price?

The standard retreat ticket costs $225 and includes the following:

Admission, lodging for two nights, and six meals: Friday dinner through Sunday lunch
Main sessions focused on this year's theme: Shalom
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.
Built-in down time for refreshment and relaxation
Fun activities and giveaways

Attendees will stay in hotel-style rooms (two queen beds) with one other woman; however there are a limited number of single-occupancy rooms available at a higher ticket price of $350. 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!

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.

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.

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 refrigerator available on-site if your dietary needs require bringing some of your own snacks or supplemental food.

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 three in California. We pray that you are truly blessed by the experience.

Are there any scholarships available to help cover costs?

There are a limited number of partial scholarships available. Click here to apply.

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.