Frequently Asked Questions
Called to Love Retreat
1. What can I expect at Called to Love?
You can expect a true RETREAT from your daily life! The rooms at the Oregon Garden Resort are beautiful and comfortable. The food is delicious, and the grounds are gorgeous in sunshine or rain. You can expect to meet some amazing women who are traveling a journey similar to yours, and we know that as you share stories you will be humbled and encouraged. You can anticipate wonderful worship and spiritual encouragement during the sessions and breakouts. Some of the presenters will share valuable, practical information related to parenting adopted or foster children, but the purpose of this retreat remains encouragement and connection, spiritual encouragement--not professional training.
2. What can I NOT expect at Called to Love?
This retreat is for the purpose of renewal, support and encouragement. Our desire is to uplift adoptive and foster moms in their roles as wives and mothers, and also strengthen their relationship to Christ. Called to Love is NOT a conference. We plan to offer some informational sessions which discuss certain areas or challenges of these unique roles, but our overall focus continues to be renewal and encouragement, not professional training. Mothers in any stage of the process are welcome, but it is especially beneficial as post-placement support.
3. Can my husband come? Why aren't you doing a conference for couples?
Although we desire to strengthen foster and adoptive families, our ministry aim is to do so by serving wives and mothers in their specific needs. We encourage your husbands to stay home and bond with your children--both adopted, foster and biological! Tell them they will be glad when they see how refreshed you are when you return! For an opportunity to learn and grow with your husband, check out the REFRESH conference, which is for moms and dads. Check out their website HERE.
4. Who is invited to come to Called to Love retreat?
Any wife or mother who is interested in adoption, involved in any stage of adoption, has an adopted child, is interested in foster care or involved in foster parenting is welcome to come. The retreat is especially helpful for post-placement encouragement. If you have a unique situation not described above and are interested in attending, we are more than willing to chat with you and see if it's a good fit for your needs. We desire to be inclusive, not exclusive.
5. Are you on social media?
Yes! Retreat specific information can be found on Facebook at Called to Love Retreat. We have also created a place to connect with other foster and adoptive moms at Called to Love Community on Facebook. You can follow us on Instagram @calledtoloveministry.
6. Will you have vendors at the retreat?
Stay tuned for information on vendors for 2023.
7. Is this retreat only for Christians?
ALL adoptive and foster mothers are invited and welcome! ALL. This retreat was designed to serve you in your roles and support you. It is also unabashedly a Christian retreat, with a goal of bringing each woman closer to God. There will be times of prayer and worship, and many of the speakers and breakout leaders will be sharing about their faith. We realize this might not be the right fit for many amazing mamas who don't share our beliefs, and that is OK. However, if you are a wife or mother who understands our purpose and wants to attend Called to Love, we welcome you with open arms!
8. Is this only for mothers currently parenting adoptive/foster children?
The majority of the material presented at the retreat will be to support and encourage adoptive/foster moms in their current parenting roles. However, if you are a seasoned mother who has raised adopted children, or if you have experience as a foster mom but have no placements at this time, we would love to have you come and pass along some of your wisdom and encouragement to those of us still in the middle of it! Additionally, waiting mothers will receive lots of support and encouragement, but may perhaps find it is more focused on post-placement families.
Sessions
1. Who will be speaking at this retreat?
We have four main sessions. The names of our speakers are typically announced prior to registration opening. See the Retreat Details and Speakers tab for our 2023 line up as it becomes available. Check the Called to Love Retreat (this is separate from our Called to Love Community) Facebook page to see the speaker announcements.
2. Will there be breakout sessions?
Yes! We have 3 breakout sessions during the weekend, with varied topics. The list of breakout options will be available as the retreat approaches. Ladies registered for Called to Love will receive an email in September containing a link where they can choose their breakout sessions.
Logistics
1. What is the cost and what does it cover?
The cost for the 2023 will be announced at a future date. The full payment is due at the time of registration. It includes Friday dinner, Saturday lunch and dinner, snacks and treats, as well as all the "behind-the-scenes" retreat costs (like facility rental, speaker fees & transportation, insurance, equipment, etc). It also will include a few fun extras! The retreat registration fee does NOT cover your hotel room.
2. Do you offer any scholarships? I can't afford it.
First, we promise you that we have kept the cost as low as possible to still pay our bills. Unfortunately, we do not have a scholarship fund at this time. Occasionally a donor will gift us with an amount to be used towards scholarships. If you would like to put your name on a list to be considered for any possible future scholarships, fill out the contact form above under the "GENERAL INFO" tab.
3. What if I register and then cannot come to the retreat? Do you offer refunds?
See the "CANCELLATION POLICY" under "2023 DETAILS."
4. Where is the retreat? Why do you have it there?
The retreat is at the Oregon Garden Grand Hall Pavilion in Silverton, OR. After a lot of research and prayer, this resort is the best fit for Called to Love. They offer a true retreat with beautiful grounds to enjoy throughout the weekend.
5. Can I bring my baby?
Because our desire at Called to Love is to encourage and refresh each and every mom who attends, we ask that you not bring any babies to the retreat. If you are in a new adoption/foster situation where your very small infant needs you please contact us and we will review the situation on a case by case basis. Our desire is for every mom to have a relaxing and distraction-free experience.
6. How do I get to the Oregon Garden Resort?
Click on the tab on this website for "RETREAT & ACCOMMODATIONS" under "RETREAT DETAiLS".
7. When should I arrive?
Registration for the retreat will begin at 3:00 with our welcome session beginning at 4:00. We understand that individual schedules may mean you arrive at a different time. Please check in with a team member when you arrive so we can get you your retreat materials.
8. What do I need to bring?
Bring casual clothes, an umbrella, your Bible, a journal and anything else you might need for a comfy weekend away. FYI: You may have to walk outside to get to different breakout sessions, so dress accordingly.
Hotel Accommodations
1. How do I find a roommate? I don't know anyone else attending!
We strongly suggest you go to our Facebook community page ("Called to Love Community") and ask around! Rooming with a new friend is out of most of our comfort zones, but also leads to some of the biggest blessings--and can save you some money. Maybe the easiest solution would be to bring a friend with you! Unfortunately, we are not able to assist you in finding a roommate for liability reasons.
2. Can I room by myself?
Yes!
3. How do I reserve a room? What is the cost of the hotel rooms?
See the RETREAT & ACCOMMODATIONS page, which is under "RETREAT DETAILS."
4. When do I need to RESERVE a room?
As soon as possible after you register! We have secured blocks of rooms for retreat attendees at several local hotels. Please see our RETREAT & ACCOMMODATIONS page for more details.
5. When do we PAY for the hotel room?
You will need a major credit card to reserve your hotel room, but you will not be charged until you check out on Sunday morning of the retreat. If you have more than one person in your room, the hotel will gladly split the check to more than one credit card.
1. What can I expect at Called to Love?
You can expect a true RETREAT from your daily life! The rooms at the Oregon Garden Resort are beautiful and comfortable. The food is delicious, and the grounds are gorgeous in sunshine or rain. You can expect to meet some amazing women who are traveling a journey similar to yours, and we know that as you share stories you will be humbled and encouraged. You can anticipate wonderful worship and spiritual encouragement during the sessions and breakouts. Some of the presenters will share valuable, practical information related to parenting adopted or foster children, but the purpose of this retreat remains encouragement and connection, spiritual encouragement--not professional training.
2. What can I NOT expect at Called to Love?
This retreat is for the purpose of renewal, support and encouragement. Our desire is to uplift adoptive and foster moms in their roles as wives and mothers, and also strengthen their relationship to Christ. Called to Love is NOT a conference. We plan to offer some informational sessions which discuss certain areas or challenges of these unique roles, but our overall focus continues to be renewal and encouragement, not professional training. Mothers in any stage of the process are welcome, but it is especially beneficial as post-placement support.
3. Can my husband come? Why aren't you doing a conference for couples?
Although we desire to strengthen foster and adoptive families, our ministry aim is to do so by serving wives and mothers in their specific needs. We encourage your husbands to stay home and bond with your children--both adopted, foster and biological! Tell them they will be glad when they see how refreshed you are when you return! For an opportunity to learn and grow with your husband, check out the REFRESH conference, which is for moms and dads. Check out their website HERE.
4. Who is invited to come to Called to Love retreat?
Any wife or mother who is interested in adoption, involved in any stage of adoption, has an adopted child, is interested in foster care or involved in foster parenting is welcome to come. The retreat is especially helpful for post-placement encouragement. If you have a unique situation not described above and are interested in attending, we are more than willing to chat with you and see if it's a good fit for your needs. We desire to be inclusive, not exclusive.
5. Are you on social media?
Yes! Retreat specific information can be found on Facebook at Called to Love Retreat. We have also created a place to connect with other foster and adoptive moms at Called to Love Community on Facebook. You can follow us on Instagram @calledtoloveministry.
6. Will you have vendors at the retreat?
Stay tuned for information on vendors for 2023.
7. Is this retreat only for Christians?
ALL adoptive and foster mothers are invited and welcome! ALL. This retreat was designed to serve you in your roles and support you. It is also unabashedly a Christian retreat, with a goal of bringing each woman closer to God. There will be times of prayer and worship, and many of the speakers and breakout leaders will be sharing about their faith. We realize this might not be the right fit for many amazing mamas who don't share our beliefs, and that is OK. However, if you are a wife or mother who understands our purpose and wants to attend Called to Love, we welcome you with open arms!
8. Is this only for mothers currently parenting adoptive/foster children?
The majority of the material presented at the retreat will be to support and encourage adoptive/foster moms in their current parenting roles. However, if you are a seasoned mother who has raised adopted children, or if you have experience as a foster mom but have no placements at this time, we would love to have you come and pass along some of your wisdom and encouragement to those of us still in the middle of it! Additionally, waiting mothers will receive lots of support and encouragement, but may perhaps find it is more focused on post-placement families.
Sessions
1. Who will be speaking at this retreat?
We have four main sessions. The names of our speakers are typically announced prior to registration opening. See the Retreat Details and Speakers tab for our 2023 line up as it becomes available. Check the Called to Love Retreat (this is separate from our Called to Love Community) Facebook page to see the speaker announcements.
2. Will there be breakout sessions?
Yes! We have 3 breakout sessions during the weekend, with varied topics. The list of breakout options will be available as the retreat approaches. Ladies registered for Called to Love will receive an email in September containing a link where they can choose their breakout sessions.
Logistics
1. What is the cost and what does it cover?
The cost for the 2023 will be announced at a future date. The full payment is due at the time of registration. It includes Friday dinner, Saturday lunch and dinner, snacks and treats, as well as all the "behind-the-scenes" retreat costs (like facility rental, speaker fees & transportation, insurance, equipment, etc). It also will include a few fun extras! The retreat registration fee does NOT cover your hotel room.
2. Do you offer any scholarships? I can't afford it.
First, we promise you that we have kept the cost as low as possible to still pay our bills. Unfortunately, we do not have a scholarship fund at this time. Occasionally a donor will gift us with an amount to be used towards scholarships. If you would like to put your name on a list to be considered for any possible future scholarships, fill out the contact form above under the "GENERAL INFO" tab.
3. What if I register and then cannot come to the retreat? Do you offer refunds?
See the "CANCELLATION POLICY" under "2023 DETAILS."
4. Where is the retreat? Why do you have it there?
The retreat is at the Oregon Garden Grand Hall Pavilion in Silverton, OR. After a lot of research and prayer, this resort is the best fit for Called to Love. They offer a true retreat with beautiful grounds to enjoy throughout the weekend.
5. Can I bring my baby?
Because our desire at Called to Love is to encourage and refresh each and every mom who attends, we ask that you not bring any babies to the retreat. If you are in a new adoption/foster situation where your very small infant needs you please contact us and we will review the situation on a case by case basis. Our desire is for every mom to have a relaxing and distraction-free experience.
6. How do I get to the Oregon Garden Resort?
Click on the tab on this website for "RETREAT & ACCOMMODATIONS" under "RETREAT DETAiLS".
7. When should I arrive?
Registration for the retreat will begin at 3:00 with our welcome session beginning at 4:00. We understand that individual schedules may mean you arrive at a different time. Please check in with a team member when you arrive so we can get you your retreat materials.
8. What do I need to bring?
Bring casual clothes, an umbrella, your Bible, a journal and anything else you might need for a comfy weekend away. FYI: You may have to walk outside to get to different breakout sessions, so dress accordingly.
Hotel Accommodations
1. How do I find a roommate? I don't know anyone else attending!
We strongly suggest you go to our Facebook community page ("Called to Love Community") and ask around! Rooming with a new friend is out of most of our comfort zones, but also leads to some of the biggest blessings--and can save you some money. Maybe the easiest solution would be to bring a friend with you! Unfortunately, we are not able to assist you in finding a roommate for liability reasons.
2. Can I room by myself?
Yes!
3. How do I reserve a room? What is the cost of the hotel rooms?
See the RETREAT & ACCOMMODATIONS page, which is under "RETREAT DETAILS."
4. When do I need to RESERVE a room?
As soon as possible after you register! We have secured blocks of rooms for retreat attendees at several local hotels. Please see our RETREAT & ACCOMMODATIONS page for more details.
5. When do we PAY for the hotel room?
You will need a major credit card to reserve your hotel room, but you will not be charged until you check out on Sunday morning of the retreat. If you have more than one person in your room, the hotel will gladly split the check to more than one credit card.
