Trans Families Together: A Weekend of Connecting

This summer, Rolling Ridge invites families that have a trans, non-binary or gender non-conforming young person to join us for a weekend family retreat.

“Trans Families Together: A Weekend of Connection” is intended to create safe and sacred space for families to know that they are not alone in the coming out process.  Through educational programming, listening spaces, and fun activities, this two night and three day retreat (July 5-7) will build bridges of support and resourcing for the journey.  Each member of the family – the trans young person, the parents, and the siblings — will find a supportive and inclusive community through affinity group activities.  We will also provide opportunities with trained spiritual directors for listening within families and between families and with the larger LGBTQ community.  Love, openness, and encouragement are the values of our weekend together.

As part of the retreat weekend, a Family Pride Picnic and festival is being scheduled for Saturday, July 6th from 12-4 pm with members of the larger LGBTQ+ community and allies invited to love on and support the families.  We will feature vendors, resources, and fun activities for all ages.  If you are interested in being a vendor, please email us.  More information on registering for the picnic will be forthcoming.

If you as a parent are overwhelmed by your child’s coming out as trans, binary, or gender non-conforming…  if you are not sure what to do in navigating the new social challenges… if you do not know how to talk about your child’s coming out with your extended family or church community… if you aren’t sure how to talk to your child anymore… if you are not sure how to love on them… we hope that you and your family will join us at Rolling Ridge for Trans Families Together: A Weekend of Connection from Friday, July 5 to Sunday, July 7.

Registration costs for the trans / non-binary / gender non-conforming young person are fully covered, thanks to grants from the Preacher’s Aid Society and the Lexington UMC Social Justice Fund of the United Methodist Foundation.  Scholarships are also available for families.  Please contact us.

Family registration fees for 2 nights and 6 meals are:

• $298 for 2 people (the trans young person and a parent)
• $568 for 3 people (the trans young person and two other family members, at least one parent)
• $828 for 4 people (the trans young person and three other family members, at least one parent)
• If you would like to register more than four people in your family, please email registrar@rollingridge.org

Please note that following online payment of your registration, a member of our Guest Services team will contact you about rooming information and dietary needs to ensure that we assign your family to appropriate bedrooms and feed everyone.

Given the nature of the retreat, no part-time family registration is available.  We invite you to consider join us instead for our Pride Family Picnic on Saturday, July 6th.

If you have any questions about the programming, please email us.  We are assembling a creative and caring team to put together a weekend of encouraging experiences to help trans families connect.

TENTATIVE WEEKEND SCHEDULE (July 5-7, 2024)

• Friday arrival after 3 pm with dinner and evening star gazing activity
• Saturday morning affinity groups and family listening sessions
• Saturday afternoon pride family picnic with activities
• Saturday evening s’mores and campfire
• Sunday morning affinity groups and inclusive worship service
• Sunday departure by 2 pm