ABOUT THE WEEKEND
A place to be understood without explanation.
Shine On Together is a weekend for families who have lost a child to SUDC — a place to honor the children we carry with us, and to rest in the company of people who know.
We’ll gather Friday through Sunday at Woodloch Pines, a family resort in the Pocono Mountains. The weekend includes a keynote from author Nora McInerny, workshops for parents, age-appropriate sessions for children and teens, mindful movement, opportunities to connect with other families, and — most importantly — moments to honor our beautiful children. There is plenty of unstructured time, too. Nothing is required, and you are welcome to take part in as much or as little as feels right.
Friday
✦ Family arrivals & free time
Check-in opens at 10 AM. Settle in and explore the resort.
✦ Lunch
On your own or with early-arriving families.
✦ Weekend kick-off
Introductions, intentions, and meeting our facilitators. Begins at 5 PM.
✦ Group welcome dinner
With a tribute to each of our children.
✦ Evening socials
Gatherings for kids, teens, and parents.
Saturday
✦ Group Breakfast
✦ Keynote Speaker: Nora McInerny
A profound voice in the grief space for over a decade.
✦ Mindful Movement & Yoga
Adult and children's sessions.
✦ Parent Workshops
Facilitated sessions for parents.
✦ Children's and Teen Sessions
Age appropriate grief support & expression.
✦ Family Fun
An opportunity to explore the resort together.
✦ Group Dinner
✦ An evening of remembrance
A shared moment to honor our children.
✦ Family Evening
Paint & Sip family night.
Sunday
✦ Group Breakfast
✦ Family Workshop: "Letters of Love"
A whole-family writing session.
✦ Closing Circle: Shine On Together
Carrying each other's light forward.
✦ Farewell
Enjoy the resort before heading home.
THE WEEKEND
Friday morning through Sunday noon
Note: Parent workshops and children's sessions run at the same time, so every member of the family is cared for at once. Child care professionals will be on site throughout the weekend, so parents can attend their sessions without worrying about their children.
MEET THE FACILITATORS
The people holding the weekend with us
Nora McInerny
KEYNOTE SPEAKER · AUTHOR
Nora has been a profound voice in the grief space for over a decade. Her writing and speaking come from lived loss, and she talks about it with a candor and humor that make hard rooms feel lighter. She will open our Saturday with the keynote.
Barri Leiner
CERTIFIED GRIEF COACH
Barri leads our parent sessions and the Sunday family writing workshop, “Letters of Love.” Her work meets parents where they are, with practical tools for carrying grief alongside everyday life.
Jessica Correnti
CERTIFIED CHILD LIFE SPECIALIST
Jessica leads the children's and teen programming, with sessions grouped by age so each child meets grief in a way that fits where they are.
Maura Schwind
CHILD LIFE SPECIALIST
Maura will work alongside Jessica in the children's and teen sessions, so siblings have steady, familiar support throughout the weekend.
Kelsey Moro
LICENSED CREATIVE ARTS THERAPIST
Kelsey, a board-certified dance and movement therapist with Riverbend Grief Movement, leads our mindful movement and yoga sessions for adults and for children.
One fee per family
$200
PER FAMILY, FOR THE FULL WEEKEND
Space is limited. For our first retreat we will welcome up to 15 families, on a first come, first served basis.
✓ Two nights' lodging at Woodloch Pines (Friday and Saturday)
✓ All three meals, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, shared together as a group
✓ All retreat programming: keynote, workshops, children's and teen sessions, movement, and ceremonies
✓ Light fare, snacks, and refreshments during sessions, plus all retreat materials
✓ Child care professionals on site during programming, so adults can take part wherever they would like
✓ Full use of Woodloch's amenities and daily activities
WHAT'S INCLUDED
QUESTIONS
Who is this retreat for?
Families in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic who have lost a child to SUDC. Parents, surviving siblings, and extended family members are all welcome. Whether your loss was last year or many years ago, there is a place for you here.
Do I have to speak or share?
No. Nothing is required. You can sit in a circle and say nothing, step out of a session, or skip it altogether. The weekend is built with plenty of unstructured time, and you decide how much of the programming feels right for your family.
What about my other children?
Surviving siblings are at the heart of this weekend. While parents are in workshops, children and teens have their own sessions led by certified child life specialists, grouped by age. You are always welcome to stay with your child instead. Outside of sessions, families are together, and Woodloch has a full schedule of activities for kids of every age. We also will have child care professionals on site to watch younger children while parents attend their sessions.
What if I need to cancel?
We understand that plans change, especially in grief. Reach out to us as early as you can and we will work with you. If the Foundation ever has to cancel or reschedule the retreat, your registration fee is refunded. We encourage refundable travel arrangements, since travel costs are outside what the Foundation can cover.
Who is The Rose Elizabeth Foundation?
We are Laura and Charlie Beagan. In December 2019 we lost our oldest daughter,
Rose, suddenly and unexpectedly in her sleep at the age of two.
She was perfectly healthy. Her death was classified as SUDC,
Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood.
We created The Rose Elizabeth Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, in her honor.
Our mission is twofold: to keep spreading Rosie's love and light in this world,
and to support grieving families, especially those who have lost a child to SUDC.
Shine On Together is our first regional family retreat, and we hope it becomes a tradition.
