Our first retreat
Our first retreat was a wonderful experience. Four families, 18 people, were able to participate iat the beginning of August 2009. The children were between ages 10 and 17. Several of them had experienced emotional or sexual abuse and showed related disorders like learning disabilities, mood disorders, etc. One child had been homeless and in foster care. Another child had Dow syndrome, and several suffered of ADD or ADHD.
Imagine how these children felt when they received the royal treatment?
When we took them out to a fancy dinner and to shows, and had them stay in a wonderful cabin?
Since we don't have a lodge of our own yet, we rented two spacious cabins near Pigeon Forge. Each cabin had several bed- and bathrooms, family rooms, kitchen, covered porches, and even a hot tub.
For one of the families, this was their first vacation, ever.
Another family was so happy to just be there, enjoy the cabin, spend quality time together and play with the children, that they told us they were entirely content with being at the cabin, without added activities.
But cool activities there were, for everybody: a dinner-and-show trip to the Smith Family Theater, another show called The Miracle Theater, a plunge into the magic submarine world at Ripley's Aquarium, a step back into the past at The Museum of Aviation, and great meals at The Flying Horse Grill, as well as scrumptious breakfasts and snacks at Starbucks.
All the activities and meals were free of charge to the families. Many were offered for free or at greatly discounted prices to Children's Rainbow Mountain Retreat.
We so love our sponsors!
Without them, things would hardly be possible.
