December Adult Bereavement Retreat | Full Weekend or Saturday Only
One retreat, two ways to join
You do not have to navigate grief alone. Join us for time to reflect, connect with others who have experienced loss, and explore practical resiliency skills. You are welcome to listen and participate at your own pace; you do not have to share your story before you feel ready.
Full weekend: Friday, December 11, 2026, 3:00 PM through Sunday, December 13, 11:30 AM.
Saturday only: December 12, 2026, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Optional dinner is 6:00 to 7:00 PM. All times are Eastern Time.
Location: Grand Hall at Camp because I said I would
3483 McCament Road, Walhonding, OH 43843
Register by: Tuesday, December 8 at 3:00 PM Eastern, subject to availability.
Choose one registration option per adult
The Saturday program is part of the full weekend retreat. Weekend guests do not need a second Saturday ticket.
Full weekend | $700
Includes lodging, chef-prepared meals, program materials, sessions, and activities. Saturday lunch and dinner are already included. A separate refundable overnight security deposit applies.
Saturday only | $120
Includes the Saturday program, lunch, materials, and activities. No lodging or overnight security deposit. Add Saturday dinner for $35 when registering if you would like to stay for the meal; dinner does not include an overnight stay.
Need financial assistance? | $0 to request sponsorship
Select the sponsorship ticket for either the full weekend or Saturday only and complete the same attendee form. There is no separate application link. Please do not select both a paid ticket and sponsorship request for the same person. No payment is collected for the request. Funding and space are limited, and submitting a request does not guarantee an award or a place. Tell us if you need help with the overnight deposit or optional Saturday dinner.
What happens after you register?
- We acknowledge your request. Your first email means we received your information, not that your place is confirmed.
- Our team reviews your registration. We will discuss any sponsorship, remaining costs, and overnight deposit arrangements with you.
- Look for your separate confirmation. Once review and arrangements are complete, we will confirm your place. Please wait for that email before making non-refundable travel plans.
Paid registrations: Payment is collected at checkout. If your registration is not approved, the registration fee is refunded in full. Once approved, the registration fee is non-refundable.
Overnight guests only: A separate $100 refundable security deposit is required after approval. Our team will provide instructions and resolve deposit arrangements before final confirmation. It is returned after the retreat provided there is no property damage and the cancellation policies are followed. It is separate from the retreat fee. No deposit is collected with a $0 sponsorship request; please tell us if you need assistance. Saturday-only guests do not pay this deposit.
Who should attend?
- Adults seeking support following the death of a loved one.
- People interested in resiliency skills and practical approaches to navigating grief.
- Those who would value connection with others experiencing loss.
The property and overnight accommodations
Our 92-acre retreat center offers resort cabins, wood-burning fireplaces, 5 hot tubs, a 3-tier cedar sauna, and peaceful surroundings for reflection and connection.
Full-weekend guests may indicate an accommodation preference in the registration form. Saturday-only guests can skip lodging questions. Preferences are requests, not guaranteed assignments. Private cabins require a party of 3 to 4; staff will confirm room and cabin assignments based on availability and group needs.
Facilitators

Alex Sheen
Alex Sheen, Founder of because I said I would, is a 5-time TEDx Talk speaker and author, known for his global work on resiliency skills and mental health habits.
Alex and the Camp because I said I would team will facilitate the retreat with compassion and care.
Retreat sessions
See the hourly schedule below for the Saturday program and weekend arrival and departure times. Additional weekend session details will be shared before the retreat; the program may be adjusted.

Personal reflection and goal setting
Explore personal goals and small, meaningful intentions for the weekend through guided journaling and reflection.
Beliefs and self-understanding
Reflect on beliefs that shape your experience of grief and explore perspectives that support your well-being.
Navigating grief and finding support
- Understanding grief: Explore the range of emotions associated with loss and acknowledge your individual experience.
- Honoring memories: Make space to reflect on the life of the person you have lost.
- Pathways to support: Identify practical self-care strategies and resources for continued support.
Register or request sponsorship by December 8
This retreat has limited availability. Choose paid registration or request sponsorship using the tickets below, then complete the attendee information. Registration closes Tuesday, December 8, 2026, at 3:00 PM Eastern Time.
Interested in volunteering? Contact [email protected] for volunteer opportunities rather than selecting a participant ticket.
Questions? Email [email protected].
Find Us on Facebook
View the December retreat event or the Saturday option. Both use the registration on this page. A Facebook response does not register you.
Hourly Schedule
Friday, December 11 | Full-weekend guests
- 03:00 PM - 04:30 PM
- Arrival, Camp Tours, and Settling In
- Check in, settle into your accommodations, and join a tour to explore camp and its amenities.
- 04:30 PM - 06:30 PM
- Welcome and Resiliency Workshops: Positive Next Steps
- Meet fellow guests and hear Alex Sheen’s personal connection to grief. Personal Reflection and Goal Setting introduces possible next steps and the habits that support them. Limiting Beliefs: The Four Types of Negative Thinking explores more balanced, compassionate perspectives. Includes a refreshment break.
- 06:30 PM - 07:15 PM
- Private Chef Dinner: Gather Around the Table
- Sit down together at 6:30 PM for a freshly prepared dinner and relaxed conversation.
- 07:15 PM - 10:00 PM
- An Evening at Your Own Pace
- Enjoy conversation, games, available camp amenities, or quiet time. Optional bingo begins at 9:00 PM in Manor Lodge. An earlier bedtime is always welcome.
Saturday, December 12 | Weekend and Saturday-only guests
- 07:45 AM - 08:30 AM
- Breakfast at Your Own Pace: Overnight Guests
- Come anytime during this breakfast window. Early finishers may enjoy a short, self-guided morning walk before activities begin.
- 08:30 AM - 10:15 AM
- A Welcoming Start: Arrival or Escape Room and Recreation
- Saturday-only guests: check in at 8:30 AM, followed by introductions and orientation. Overnight guests: rotate between the escape room and open recreation in two groups.
- 10:15 AM - 01:30 PM
- Meaningful Remembrance and Practical Skills
- Explore The Four Types of Self-Control, then Creating a Personal Memorial through a scrapbook, photo album, legacy map, or another creative project. Gather afterward for a Candlelight Vigil, with opportunities to honor your loved one through a name, memory, or silent reflection. No artistic experience is needed. Includes a break.
- 01:30 PM - 02:30 PM
- Lunch Together
- Gather at 1:30 PM to sit down for lunch and connect with fellow participants.
- 02:30 PM - 04:45 PM
- Adjusting to Grief: Support for Everyday Challenges
- Adjusting to Grief explores practical approaches to changing routines, relationships, reminders, and support needs after loss. Stress Management: Practical Tools for Overwhelming Moments introduces gentle breathing, grounding, and everyday coping skills. Includes a break.
- 04:45 PM - 05:30 PM
- Time to Reflect and Saturday Farewell
- Enjoy a quiet pause or available recreation before a brief closing gathering. The Saturday day program ends at 5:30 PM.
- 06:00 PM - 07:00 PM
- Private Chef Dinner
- Sit down together at 6:00 PM. Included for weekend guests; Saturday-only guests may join through the optional dinner registration.
- 07:00 PM
- A Relaxed Evening: Full-Weekend Guests
- Choose games, conversation, available camp amenities, or rest in your accommodations.
Sunday, December 13 | Full-weekend guests
- 07:30 AM - 09:00 AM
- A Gentle Morning: Breakfast, Walking, and Packing
- Breakfast is available from 7:30–8:15 AM. Enjoy an optional self-guided walk, pack your belongings, and prepare for the final morning together.
- 09:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- Your Next Chapter: Bringing the Weekend Home
- Practical Habits and Time Management explores manageable routines and priorities. What’s Worked for You offers guided sharing of helpful experiences and resources. Finish with Your Next Chapter, using the Promise Planner and small-group feedback to create a clearly written goal and practical plan. Includes a break.
- 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
- Resources and Farewell
- Collect information about other programs, support services, and online resources, complete a brief retreat survey, and enjoy departure snacks as you say goodbye. The retreat ends at 11:30 AM.