Family Retreat

kids at camp Kids with FA at Camp in 2023

2024 Family Retreat

We are delighted to invite you to the upcoming FA Family Retreat, taking place at The Painted Turtle from August 1-5, 2024.
 

Engaging Sessions and Supportive Atmosphere: The Family Retreat offers a unique opportunity for families registered with us to participate in presentations by leading researchers and physicians specializing in Fanconi anemia (FA). Attendees will benefit from support groups aiding in coping with the disease, voluntary participation in FA research projects, and the chance to connect with other families impacted by FA.
 

Event Details:

  • Dates:
    August 1 – August 5, 2024
  • Check-in:
    Thursday, August 1, at 4:30 pm
  • Check-out:
    Monday, August 5, at 12:00 pm

 

Cost for Participants: Thanks to the collaborative support of FARF and The Painted Turtle, there is no registration fee for attending the Family Retreat. Participants are responsible for travel only, with all other associated expenses covered by the organizers.



Eligibility and Prioritization: Families with children with FA aged 18 and under are welcome to apply. Priority will be given to newly diagnosed families and those attending the retreat for the first time. Travel scholarships are available through FARF to assist with travel expenses.

 

High-Priority Acceptance Criteria:

  • Newly diagnosed or first-time attendees
  • Families facing significant medical decisions or treatments within the next 12 months
  • Individuals in their first year following the loss of a child or who have not attended since the loss of their child
     

Volunteer Opportunities for Adults with FA (19+):
Adults with FA aged 19 and above who are interested in attending are encouraged to volunteer as camp counselors, providing a unique and meaningful experience. Applications for volunteering can be found on the Painted Turtle website.
 

Application Process: Applications for the Family Retreat are currently open and will be accepted until the deadline, May 1. If you are not a family with a high-priority acceptance criteria listed above, we encourage you to apply sooner rather than later, as families will be accepted based on a first come, first serve basis.
 

Inquiries and Assistance: For any questions or assistance with the application process, please contact the Painted Turtle Camper Admissions team at (661) 724-1768 or admissions@thepaintedturtle.org.
 

Travel Scholarships: FARF has established a limited scholarship assistance program to support families with travel expenses. For eligibility criteria and application details, please click here.
 

Agenda Highlights: The Family Retreat will feature educational sessions on FA, caregiver support groups, and various family activities including archery, rope courses, horseback riding, and fishing.
 

Travel Planning: The Painted Turtle will provide transportation to and from Camp for families flying into Burbank Airport (BUR). To ride a shuttle, families must arrange flight times according to The Painted Turtle pick-up and drop-off times. If your flight times are made to a different airport or outside of these times, The Painted Turtle cannot guarantee transportation to Camp. Please note, it is strongly recommended that families purchase flights after receiving an acceptance Welcome Packet from Camp. Any flights purchased before that time are at your own risk.

We understand that families may be traveling internationally or from destinations that do not connect to Burbank Airport. The Painted Turtle will provide limited shuttle service for families from LAX, please follow the same arrival and departure times and reach out to The Painted Turtle Camper Admissions team to coordinate shuttle service.

  • Arrival Day: Flights must arrive to Burbank Airport (BUR) by 2:00 PM. Shuttle pick up will be at 2:30 PM on Thursday, August 1, 2024.
  • Departure Day: Flights must depart Burbank Airport at 3 PM or later on Monday, August 5th. For LAX flights, please book departure flight at 4 PM or later.

 

We look forward to welcoming you to a week of education, support, and connection at The FA Family Retreat!