Solace By the Sea Oceanfront Retreat for Bereaved Parents
October 20-23, 2016
Offered by the
Richmond VA Chapter of the MISS Foundation
The retreat will be held in beautiful oceanfront "Boardwalk" at
507 Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills NC 27948
Please see the map at the bottom of this page.
Click here to link to the house.
More photos, descriptions of the house and a house floor plan can be found at the Village Realty Website.
Meals will be provided by the MISS Foundation and by the generosity of local restaurants. If you have food restrictions, allergies, or if you are vegetarian or vegan, please let us know through email as soon as possible.
Retreat Agenda:
Thursday October 20
Arrive anytime after 3:00 p.m.
Relax, unpack, explore.
6:00 Meet for dinner in the main room
7:30 Welcome, Retreat Etiquette & Overview
8:30 Fire Circle: Telling Their Stories ~ Telling Our Stories
Each Morning
You are invited to join Karla for morning movement and meditation at 7:30 a.m weather permitting on the beach, non-weather permitting, in the
Lower Level Rec Room
Friday October 21 ~ Being with Grief
8:30 a.m. Breakfast
10:00 a.m. Rec Room: Group Gathering
Meditation/Expressive Arts: Mandala Creation
12:30 p.m. Lunch
3:00 p.m. Main Room Group Gathering
Meditation: Compassion for Self and Others
6:00 Dinner in the Main Room
8:30 p.m. Evening Gathering Poolside/Beachfront, weather permitting
non-weather permitting, Covered Deck or Main Room
Sharing Ritual
Saturday October 22 ~ Carrying Grief
8:30 a.m. Breakfast
10:00 a.m. Main Room: Group Gathering
Turning Toward Others: Attuning
Beachfront Movement and Walking Meditation
12:30 p.m. Lunch
3:00 p.m Main Room: Group Gathering
Meditation/Expressive Exercise: Mindful Writing
6:00 Dinner in the Main Room
8:30 p.m. Evening Gathering Poolside/Beachfront, weather permitting
Remembrance Ritual
Sunday October 23 ~ Returning
8:30 a.m. Breakfast
10:00 a.m. Group Gathering/Sharing
Closing Ritual
12:30 Lunch
2:00 Departure
What to Bring
~Please bring any photos, mementos or keepsakes of your beloved children you would like to keep on our group altar which will be kept in the main room throughout the retreat. You will take all these items back home with you.
~Any items that you may want to attach to your personal art project which you will also take home with you.
~Any special readings, poem, or book you find meaningful that you may want to share with the group.
~1 or 2 small item(s) to represent you and/or your beloveds to be attached to a special speaking stick. This ritual object will be used at our retreat and for future retreats, rituals and groups. Adding a small representation of each participant adds to the meaning of the symbol and brings the energy of each participant into our community of bereaved parents and our children
~Comfortable, loose, easy to move around in clothing. Layers. This time of year, we may have very warm or very cool weather--please be prepared for either for your comfort. Umbrella, swimsuit, sweatshirt/sweater jacket, comfortable shoes. The Jacuzzi, sauna and pool will all be usable.
~Beach chair for carrying down to the ocean. The house does not come equipped with portable beach chairs.
~A Yoga mat if you have one. If you do not, we will have some for your use.
If you use a meditation cushion and have one you prefer, please do bring it.
~Water Bottle
~Beach towel
(all bath towels, linens, sheets, etc are provided but beach towels are not, so please bring your favorite one)
~Sunscreen
~Sunglasses/Hat
~A Journal or Notebook
~Any snacks or special drinks you may want for yourself.
The kitchen will be well stocked, but there may be something special you want.
~Optional items that you may find helpful:
*Sacred items to keep in your room (photos, special stone, anything you find inspirational).
*Comfort items--blanket, fuzzy slippers, your favorite sweatshirt, things that remind you of your beloveds, etc.
Please DO NOT Bring
~Heavily scented perfumes. Many are allergic or sensitive to fragrances, please leave perfumes at home.
~PLEASE do not bring or consume alcohol in the retreat house or during retreat time. Part of the experience of this retreat is to fully feel what you are feeling. Alcohol is a depressant and while it can temporarily numb emotions, it can also intensify difficult emotions. Additionally, overuse can create unsafe situations which we would like to avoid. The physical and emotional safety of every participant at this retreat is of the utmost importance.
~Smoking is not allowed in the house
A Note on Cell phone and internet use:
While you will be able to of course be in touch with loved ones and will be able to use devices take photos, please come prepared to be as unplugged as possible. Bring as few electronic devices as possible and which will allow you to be in contact with family and/or friends as needed.
During group and ritual times, please leave your devices off or on airplane mode.
If you have questions please email Karla at
Karla.Helbert@missfoundation.org
Or call Karla's cell: 804-892-2782
~Please bring any photos, mementos or keepsakes of your beloved children you would like to keep on our group altar which will be kept in the main room throughout the retreat. You will take all these items back home with you.
~Any items that you may want to attach to your personal art project which you will also take home with you.
~Any special readings, poem, or book you find meaningful that you may want to share with the group.
~1 or 2 small item(s) to represent you and/or your beloveds to be attached to a special speaking stick. This ritual object will be used at our retreat and for future retreats, rituals and groups. Adding a small representation of each participant adds to the meaning of the symbol and brings the energy of each participant into our community of bereaved parents and our children
~Comfortable, loose, easy to move around in clothing. Layers. This time of year, we may have very warm or very cool weather--please be prepared for either for your comfort. Umbrella, swimsuit, sweatshirt/sweater jacket, comfortable shoes. The Jacuzzi, sauna and pool will all be usable.
~Beach chair for carrying down to the ocean. The house does not come equipped with portable beach chairs.
~A Yoga mat if you have one. If you do not, we will have some for your use.
If you use a meditation cushion and have one you prefer, please do bring it.
~Water Bottle
~Beach towel
(all bath towels, linens, sheets, etc are provided but beach towels are not, so please bring your favorite one)
~Sunscreen
~Sunglasses/Hat
~A Journal or Notebook
~Any snacks or special drinks you may want for yourself.
The kitchen will be well stocked, but there may be something special you want.
~Optional items that you may find helpful:
*Sacred items to keep in your room (photos, special stone, anything you find inspirational).
*Comfort items--blanket, fuzzy slippers, your favorite sweatshirt, things that remind you of your beloveds, etc.
Please DO NOT Bring
~Heavily scented perfumes. Many are allergic or sensitive to fragrances, please leave perfumes at home.
~PLEASE do not bring or consume alcohol in the retreat house or during retreat time. Part of the experience of this retreat is to fully feel what you are feeling. Alcohol is a depressant and while it can temporarily numb emotions, it can also intensify difficult emotions. Additionally, overuse can create unsafe situations which we would like to avoid. The physical and emotional safety of every participant at this retreat is of the utmost importance.
~Smoking is not allowed in the house
A Note on Cell phone and internet use:
While you will be able to of course be in touch with loved ones and will be able to use devices take photos, please come prepared to be as unplugged as possible. Bring as few electronic devices as possible and which will allow you to be in contact with family and/or friends as needed.
During group and ritual times, please leave your devices off or on airplane mode.
If you have questions please email Karla at
Karla.Helbert@missfoundation.org
Or call Karla's cell: 804-892-2782
