Joni & Friends Family Retreats

Each summer there are multiple Joni & Friends Family Retreats throughout the United States and the world. These retreats offer families affected by disability the opportunity to have an assisted family vacation. Uniquely the Same, Inc. supports these family retreats by mobilizing volunteers and family participants from the surrounding geography of Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and the Washington DC area. Read over this page for all sorts of information and resources about the camps. If you need additional information, please contact us at 724-264-5769 or by Email.

Families Affected by Disability

Family Retreat is designed to give your special family a get-away that will refresh and encourage you. Similar to the other retreat locations, Shawnee Resort offers comfortable cabins and appealing lodges in the beautiful Shawnee State Park Ohio. Add this to the people – the special families and volunteers – who create an atmosphere of acceptance that sets the tone for the week. Families share in zany programs, accessible activities, and times of spiritual nurture. In short order, excitement runs high, laughter is frequent, and bonds of friendship are made. Months of planning and a trained staff assure a safe environment so that  Family Retreat is one place your family will not only feel welcomed, but celebrated. Join us in order to make a memory that will last a lifetime. Retreat costs are kept low with scholarships available to those who have a need. Email us.

Short Term Missionaries (STMs) to Assist Families

Regardless of your level of experience, you can reach out in a meaningful way to one of the most unloved, unreached people groups right here in our own community – people affected by disability. We offer a one week opportunity to intensify your faith while making a lasting impact on others. If you join us, you’ll help families experience all the excitement of being at camp: the recreation, the crafts, the games, and the outdoors. Together with other Short Term Missionaries you’ll set an example of having fun and being still enough to hear the voice of God.

Many people are surprised to realize that 1 in every 5 people in the United States have a disability. Some of the families we serve have never been able to take a family vacation before because of the daily grind that is caused by the disability of one of their family members.

During the day you’ll provide servant leadership with the children and youth…allowing moms and dads to attend seminars, hear passionate biblical teaching, and enjoy time together as a couple. You’ll have free time in the afternoon to enjoy various amenities which may include climbing walls and ropes courses, mud pits, water sports and hiking trails. Then after free time you’ll join back up with your family for exciting evening events. Through the simplicity of your service, you’ll have the opportunity to build relationships where you can share the gospel… helping others find hope. Join us at the next retreat. Email us. Read about how Family Retreat had a Life Changing Experience on a Short Term Missionary. Listen to this (30 minute) podcast to see when you discover your calling to be an STM.

Making Known the Opportunity

Uniquely the Same, Inc. is particularly anxious to support the Shawnee, OH Joni & Friends Family Retreat because it is the closest to our area.

Resources

To learn more about Family Retreat options for those near Western Pennsylvania: Contact Rob at 724-264-5769 or contact him by Email.

 

Family Retreats dates for  Summer 2023 

Ohio Family Retreat Week 1: Shawnee State Park Lodge and Resort June 12-16, 2023

Ohio Family Retreat Week 2: Berlin Encore Hotel & Suites, Berlin Ohio July 10-14, 2023

All Short Term Missionaries (STM) arrive a day early for training.

You can watch videos for the camps here. You will find videos that cover topics about

Here are excellent videos that explain Joni and Friends Family Retreats from many prospective:

  1. A look from the perspective of one camper mother of a child affected by Disability “Yupin’s Story“.
  2. There are many ways to serve at “Family Retreat“.
  3. A look at the experience of a camp volunteer “Katherine’s Smile“.

For the official Joni and Friends Family Retreat Website click here.