Stand Up, Stand Out, Stand Strong
"Stand Up. Stand Out. Stand Strong." will be the theme of the retreat. Each word there has a significance to the mentoring they will receive as well as the activities they will experience. Each girl will return home more fully prepared to embrace her strengths and ready to face her challenges with renewed courage and optimism.
Stand Up
Stand Up means no stifling or suppressing who you are because we all are meant to stand up and shine a little brighter.
Stand Out
Stand Out means allowing your emotions and what you are experiencing to surface. See and be seen. Hear and be heard.
Stand Strong
Stand Strong means to protect yourself. Take control over your personal power, don't let others take it from you.
Why was this retreat created?
Teen girls have a hard enough time navigating life. Now add in all the pressures from social media and friendships in general into the mix and their self-esteem plummets. As a mom I began searching for experiences for my daughters to have during the summers because of the weird year they have had. I wanted to find something that would touch on specific topics around confidence building and resilience. But couldn't find one so.......I created my own!
The MindStrength for Girls Retreat gives girls ages 12 to 18 the opportunity to spend intentional time in a fun, safe, and intimate environment developing lifelong friendships and increasing their awareness about who they are.
The Details
Dates: June 13-16, 2023
Location: St George, Utah
Group Size: 18 girls
Food/Lodging: All-inclusive food plus snacks and lodging in a comfortable home during your 4 full day experience.
Why Join us?
Safe & Small Enviornment
 MindStrength for Girls Retreat provides a well-supervised experience. Each day is full of a range of activities. With their mentor, participants will meet in smaller groups out in nature, make crafts, offer service, have fun, and simply enjoy time learning and growing with their group.
Friends
Friendship is a foundation of the MindStrength for Girls retreat. There is nothing that can replace getting to know similar-age girls who find they are each dealing with similar challenges and life experiences. Time spent together is sure to unite and create long-lasting friends – many of who will be there long after the retreat has ended.
Fun
From the first afternoon to the final experience together, fun is a common strand that will run through their week at MindStrength for Girls. Cool, unique experiences in nature, a variety of group activities, energetic mentors, service, evening activities and so much more can come together to make their week at the retreat the best of their year – year after year!
Registration closes soon!
Who This is For
- Any teen girl whether they have been through the MindStrength for Girls program or not.
- Girls who want to experience self-discovery.
- Girls that are willing to share their story in an intimate, safe group.
- Girls who are compassionate, kind, and allow a safe space for others.
- Girls who want to meet new people and experience new activities as a group.
- Girls who can care for their individual needs.
- Girls who follow directions and participate in program activities.
This is Not For
- Those who aren't ready to be open to change.
- Those who are rude, judgemental, and condemning of others' journey or mistakes.
- Those who aren't curious to know the cause of why you keep doing what you're doing and get no results.
Hear what the girls had to share about their experience
Schedule
This retreat will not be like your typical sports or church camps and we do that on purpose. In addition to making new friendships, the girls will engage in group team-building activities, listen to guest speakers, and participate in nature activities, service and other hands on activities during the retreat.
What you get:
- A 4-day one-of-a-kind transformational experience in a comfortable home.
- All inclusive food/snacks - We are happy to accomodate any dietary needs. Please let us know.
- Group discussions in this small and intimate group of 4-5 girls with an adult woman mentor.
- Guest speakers
- Hiking/Repelling
- Water activities
- Sound Bath experience
- Mindset and healing exercises
- Photoshoot
- Pool relaxation time
- Gifts
FAQ's
Can my almost 12 year old come?
Girls can be 11, but should be 12 years old by December 31, 2021 and should be no more than 18 years old.
What kinds of food will you serve?
Breakfast can include:
- Smoothies
- Granola, yogurt and fresh berries
- Eggs (made any way)
- Oatmeal
- Avocado Toast
- Pancakes/Waffles
Lunch/Dinner can include:
- A variety of salads
- Grain bowls
- Hamburgers/Hot Dogs
- Potato Bar
- Bean Burritos
- Chicken Salad Sandwiches
- Cheese and Cracker boards
- Gourmet Mac n Cheese
What will the sleeping arrangments be like?
Your daughter be sharing a room between 3-6 girls and will be constantly supervised in an assigned group that will include an adult mentor.​ If you have a friend you will be coming with and want to room with please let us know
What should I pack?
Here are suggested items to pack for sure then you can decide whatever else you'll want to bring:
- Outfit for 4 days
- Exercise clothing and proper shoes
- Outfit for the photoshoot
- Swimsuit (we will provide the towels)
- Sunscreen
- Hygiene items - feminine, toothbrush, deodorant, sham/cond, face wash, etc.
- Reusable water bottle
- PJ's
- Snacks
- Prescriptions/Medications
- Hat
- Sweater/Jacket
- Journal/Pens
- Yoga Mat
What do I need to wear for the photoshoot?
Whatever you feel amazing in. Pick out that outfit and color that screams you!
Do you allow phones?
Phones are allowed at retreat, but we will encourage the kids to only use them at specific times. We want them to take pictures and capture their experience at retreat. Wi-fi will be available to them. If you are concerned about it, you can share that concern with us and we will come up with a plan you feel comfortable with.Â
Do you have a discipline policy?
Yes we have a "three strikes you're out" policy. We will give the girls two warnings before we call parents to come pick up. We can't let anyone negatively taint the experience for the other girls.
Teen Testimonials
"I have been struggling to make new friends and I've felt very lonely. But when I came to the MSfG retreat I quickly found new friends because of the activities we shared together. We really got to learn about eachother really quick and I can't wait to come back next year"
Elora W.
"I've had a hard time figuring out my friends because I feel like I'm being judged all the time and have felt frustrated. One of the lessons we talked about was the 7 villains. I was unsure if my friends were good or disguised and this lesson really helped me to understand and make sense of some people. This retreat was eye opening and made me feel better about myself in many different ways."
Taelyn B.
"I really enjoyed the Core day learning about my body. It was cool to learn more deeply about myself. I really enjoyed the Questions box we did outside each night. This retreat was a great way to find yourself. A party 24/7. There is always new things to learn. This retreat was a good way to help you learn how to deal with your problems you might not know how to talk about."
Ansley T.
"I thought this retreat was going to be lame or weird but ended up being a really fun experience and the lessons were honestly quite helpful. I enjoyed learning about my energy type and the importance of knowing myself and not being afraid to be bold. I also really enjoyed having our smores/question nights and to have trust and insightful conversations about some hard honest questions. I would describe this retreat to be a week away from home where you do some fun things with new friends and have great lessons and discussions."
Sam B.
Read what Parents have to say:
"Sarah, words can't express the love I feel for you and your generosity to help so many girls in need of attention, comfort, and warmth of a mother figure, or a great mentor and friend. I wish my beautiful neices could do this program. I can already tell it has changed my daughter. My heart is so full for what you've been able to do for her that I could have never done myself. I admit I doubted this week because of letting her go with unfamiliar people to me and her but I think I needed to go through this as much as she did. I needed to be able to let her go knowing she's going to be ok and trust there are good people in the world that have good intentions. It was harder in the end for me than her and I can live with that for sure. Thank you for your patience and kindness to wait for me knowing it was what my little girl needed! I am so grateful! Thank you so much for being so amazing!!! I have 2 that will be there next year for sure! Please continue with this program. So many need it. All I could think of that keeps coming back to me is the experience you shared on social media about that first night. Then my daughter sharing it with me in the car I'm still trying to hold back the tears. That subject was and still is one of the hardest ones for me to talk about. She needed to let it out and share. The pain in her eyes and screams when we were going to bury my sister still burns an image in my mind that hurts 8 years later. Thank you for opening her up. You are a beautiful soul Sarah and are so special to so many including me. Thank you again for this amazing experien"
Emily C.
"Sarah!!!! Oh. My. Gosh!!! My husband and I are trying to figure out what to do for you or what to give you for all you did for our daughter last week!! Holy crap, SHE ABSOLUTELY LOVED THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE! What an amazing experience you gave to all these girls! BLESS YOU!!! We will be having her go EVERY YEAR! You really are the BEST!."
Diane B.
Registration ends soon!
Interested in attending another time? Get on the list!