Indiana—Lake Union single moms look forward to a special retreat planned just for them and their children each summer. Held at Timber Ridge Camp in Spencer, Ind., the Single Mom’s & Kid’s Retreat is a collaborative effort of the Women’s Ministries and Family Ministries departments. Subsidized by the Indiana Conference to make it affordable for single moms, the retreat is a relaxing oasis for hardworking moms and offers countless adventures for their children.
Cari Vath of Clarendon, Ill., first attended the retreat in June 2004. Cari said, “When my friend and I got to [Timber Ridge Camp] we were greeted with warm smiles, huge hugs, beautiful Tupperware containers filled with homemade cookies, baskets filled with notepads, lotions, books, [and] homemade potholders, and I stood there and cried. I was already feeling the love of Christ being poured out on me."
Moms and kids enjoy swimming at the lake, boat rides, horseback riding, flag football, singing by the campfire, watching powerful skits performed by the staff, and a delicious lunch for moms that they don’t pay for at the Olive Garden. Cari said, “What more could we ask for?” But Cari says the moms experience so much more. “The moms unite. We talk, share stories about ourselves and our kids, laugh, cry, listen, and pray together. We bear one another’s burdens and we love each other. We share a special bond because our experiences as single parents are unique and we become strengthened through our friendships. This experience helps me to remember that I’m not alone in single parenting struggles."
Cari added, “Each of these women are amazing to me! Their stories, their testimonies, and the love they share are little miracles in my life." Her best friend, Cherie, is a mom she met through the retreat. Cari exclaimed, “She’s like the sister I never had!”
Since going to the retreat, Cari has started a ministry for single moms. Her first newsletter, which she said was Cherie’s idea, was sent to 15 single moms in Nov. 2005. It included a feature article, news, a testimony, a book report, a Scripture quote, recipes, humorous anecdotes, and an Ellen G. White quote. Cari has also encouraged a phone and e-mail network for her single mom friends. She said, “Some of the moms communicate via e-mail, sending prayer requests and uplifting messages."
Cari’s daughter has appreciated the retreat, too. “My daughter now has a network of friends in different states! She loves to talk to her friend, Savannah, from Indiana! She also loves to look at the pictures from the retreat as well.” She added, “We cannot thank God enough for intertwining our lives together … for having meals cooked for us for FOUR glorious days and for friendships that will last until Christ comes and will carry on afterward in Heaven!”
Cari added, "Single Mom's Retreat happens every year thanks to God, Pastor Charlie Thompson and his wonderful family, Julie Loucks, Sheila Hinton, and all of the AWESOME and WONDERFUL camp counselors who help cook, clean, counsel, and look after our children."
If you want to enjoy what Cari and her daughter experienced, you can! This year, the Single Mom’s Retreat is June 22–25. The cost is $35 per mom and $10 for each child, which includes lodging, recreation, programming, crafts, food, and much more.
To register, please contact Julie Loucks at (317) 844-6201. If you would like to contact Cari for information about her newsletter, send an e-mail to: ful.of.grace@juno.com; or write to: 148 Ann St. #16, Clarendon Hill, IL 60514.
Diane Thurber is the Lake Union Herald managing editor.
