Strive to Thrive: Young Adult Retreat (Mt. Carroll)

Save-the-Date!

An engaging weekend for young adults ages 18-22 who have experienced injuries from burns. At Strive to Thrive, young adults will have the opportunity to build their self-esteem as they focus on the next stage of their lives. We will have open conversations about what adulthood may be like, and the challenges faced by any young person, be it self-confidence, applying for a job, creating a resume, learning about body positivity, relationships, or conflict resolution. Strive to Thrive provides a safe space to reinforce each participant’s belief in themselves as they transition from young person to adulthood.

Due to the generosity of our supporters this program is offered at no cost to participants, including transportation, lodging, meals, and activities. Transportation options will be either self-drive or van pickup (10/10)/drop-off (10/13) in Oak Lawn, IL or Schaumburg, IL.

Location: YMCA Camp Benson in Mount Carroll, Illinois, 10 miles east of the Mississippi River, is located on 113 sprawling acres, complete with a beautiful forest of deciduous trees, and the meandering Wakarusa River winding through it.  This is a picture-perfect setting for being outdoors while experiencing the healing power of nature.

Mission: The mission of Strive to Thrive: Beyond the Burns is to provide a safe, healthy, supervised environment for young adults ages 18-22 who have experienced burn injuries to empower and prepare themselves for adulthood.

Activities: Retreat activities will include traditional camp activities such as board games, campfires, kayaks, crafts, horseback riding, journaling, nature walks, and more! We’ll also have sit-down educational sessions to address the specific topics listed above and we’ll provide opportunities for open mic time for participants to share their respective journeys.

Staff: This retreat is staffed by volunteers, including social workers, fire service personnel, medical community personnel, teachers and other professionals. The qualified staff also volunteer for our summer camp, and has undergone various professional development, and orientation sessions designed to prepare them for the specific needs of burn survivors.