Sep 25 - 27, 2026 - Weekends for Bereaved Parents
This is a weekend for bereaved couples and singles to spend some relaxed, unhurried time with other parents who understand the experience of losing a child. As we go through the weekend, we will learn from each other, pray for one another, encourage each other, and find out that we are not alone on this journey. Our goal at these retreats is to point grieving parents to our only true source of comfort, Jesus Christ. Anyone who has lost a child is welcome to come. You are welcome if your child has been in Heaven for thirty days or for thirty years. You are welcome if your child was stillborn and never took a single earthly breath, or if your child lived to be an adult and had a family of his or her own. Come, knowing you will be surrounded by people who care, who understand, and who will pray for you. This will be a safe place, a place where we can honestly discuss our struggles, knowing we will not be judged, because every one of us has been there at one time or another. We will also share our victories, and rejoice with each other as we move along the road toward healing. What will we do over the course of the weekend? We’ll talk about our kids in Heaven and we’ll pray for each other. We’ll explore the beauty of nature around us, enjoy delicious meals together, discuss God’s presence in our grief, and form lasting bonds of friendship. Our time will be informal, but structured. Certainly, we will cry together … but we will also laugh together. There is no cost to attend one of these special events.
Come, knowing you will be surrounded by people who care, who understand, and who will pray for you. This will be a safe place, a place where we can honestly discuss our struggles, knowing we will not be judged, because every one of us has been there at one time or another. We will also share our victories, and rejoice with each other as we move along the road toward healing.
Hosted in Maryland
Learn MoreMaryland
Our Maryland retreats are held at NorthBay Adventure Camp in North East. NorthBay is located in Elk Neck State Park at the head of the Chesapeake Bay. Attendees will stay in the Guest House, which has eleven private bedrooms, each with its own bath, a kitchen/dining area, a billiard room, and a comfortable living room-style meeting area. NorthBay is located about 60 miles northeast of Baltimore and about 70 miles southwest of Philadelphia. Both Baltimore Washington International and Philadelphia International Airports are an easy 1-hour drive. Guests are welcome to relax in adirondack chairs on the beach, enjoy the sunset over the Bay from the deck, or take a walk out on the dock. More adventurous guests can kayak in the Bay, swim in the pool, or ride the zip line. This event is open to both single parents and married couples. Please refer to our Purity Policy, found under the "About Us" tab. Lodging at NorthBay for Friday and Saturday nights and all meals from Friday night through Sunday morning are provided, and there is no cost to attend this event.
Dale and Susan Folen
Dale and Susan Folen are lifelong Minnesotans, married in 1990. Dale is a drinking water Civil Engineer. Susan is a Registered Nurse in a radiation oncology department.
After a short journey with infertility, God blessed them with the thrilling and overwhelming adventure of adopting 3 "babies" from Russia, within 3 months. Ben Nikolai, age 4, Rita Marjorie, age 3 1/4, and Kirk Viktor, age 11 months. The Lord gave strength and guidance as they navigated special education, disability, and mental health concerns with the children.
Kirk struggled with anxiety and depression and started marijuana and alcohol as a teen. Though he loved Jesus and participated in several Christian programs, the disease of alcoholism led to his "rescue to heaven" on October 24, 2023. His humor, musical talent, and companionship is greatly missed.
Because of the adoption experience, God gave Dale and Susan a heart for orphans. They have taken 15 mission trips to an orphanage in Russia and 4 to Kenya. They enjoy serving in children's ministry and on the global missions committee at their church, going to Christian concerts, and traveling. They look forward to joining other parents in their grief journey, and serving as God directs.
Psalm 121 (our help comes from the Lord)
"All my life You have been faithful, all my life you have been so, so good. With every breath that I am able, I will sing of the goodness of God!"
Arlo and Capri Weiskopf
Arlo and Capri's son Amoss Luke raced ahead to Heaven on May 29, 2006 at 18 months of age. The Weiskopf's are blessed with three other children — Elijah, Zeke and Tallulah May. Arlo helps run his family's pet care business, and Capri is a homemaker and long-time volunteer counselor at a pregnancy center. As a family they love spending time adventuring outdoors, and playing on the Chesapeake Bay. They are anchored in hope and truly feel blessed to be a part of the While We're Waiting ministry.
Our Schedule for the Weekend (all times local)
Friday
4-5:15 PM Arrival time
5:30 pm Dinner
7:00 pm Sharing Our Stories (Part 1)
Saturday
8:00 am Breakfast
8:45 am Sharing Our Stories (Part 2)
12:00 PM Lunch
1:00 pm Sharing Our Stories (Part 3)
3:00 pm Free Time
5:30 pm Dinner
7:00 Pm Topic Time
Sunday
8:00 AM Breakfast
8:45 AM Worship and Closing Time
10:00 AM Goodbyes
Frequently Asked Questions
Our retreats are 100% free, though we do accept a voluntary donation at the close of the retreat.
While We're Waiting is a 501(c)3 non-profit that operates entirely off of generous donations.