HCM Friends &
Family Retreat
May 29-31, 2026
Step away from the everyday and step into connection. The HCM Friends & Family Retreat is a weekend of laughter, worship, shared meals, and meaningful moments. Come experience belonging, build friendships, and make memories that stay with you long after the weekend ends.
What Makes Retreat Special
For one weekend, we leave behind busy schedules and head somewhere a little quieter. Around campfires, over shared meals, in worship, and during outdoor adventures, we experience connection with God, with each other, and with the world He created.
Who is Retreat For
The HCM Friends & Family Retreat is designed for adults with disabilities connected to Hope Centre Ministries and the family members or support staff who attend alongside them.
Whether it is your first time or your fifteenth, this weekend is meant to be experienced together. Because space is limited, registration priority is given to those who participate in HCM programs throughout the year.
If you are unsure whether retreat is a good fit for you or someone you support, we would love to connect and talk it through.
What to expect
Praise & Worship
Grow Groups
Camp Activities
HCM Activities
Accommodation
Food
Transportation
Pricing
Apply Today
Apply today for the opportunity to be part of HCM’s Friends and Family Retreat! Space is limited (especially accessible rooms), so filling out the application does not guarantee a placement. Priority will be given to those currently involved with HCM programming and in order of application. An HCM staff member will follow-up with confirmation of placement and with payment options. Retreat applications close April 24 (or when it is full). Apply early!
Each person coming in support of someone else (including staff and family members) also will need to fill out a registration form (see below).
FAQs
Retreat has a camp nurse on site throughout the weekend.
For individuals attending without personal support, all medications must be handed in to the nurse at check-in. Medications will be stored securely and administered according to the information provided in the registration form.
For individuals attending with personal support, medications remain the responsibility of the accompanying support person. For safety and liability reasons, all medications present at retreat must be listed during registration. Medications must be stored securely in your room. Locked medication boxes are strongly encouraged.
If you have specific questions about medication procedures, we are happy to connect with you in advance.
Retreat is designed as a full weekend experience. The teaching sessions, Grow Groups, shared meals, and activities are intentionally connected from beginning to end.
For that reason, we are not able to offer single-day registration. We encourage Friends and families to plan for the full weekend so they can fully participate in all that retreat offers.
If you have a unique circumstance, we are always open to a conversation.
The buildings we are using are accessible. However, some doorway and ramp thresholds may require a bit of extra effort for wheelchairs.
The paths between buildings are gravel, and conditions may vary depending on recent weather.
Flying Squirrel and archery can be accessed with support. The wagon ride and shared coach bus are not wheelchair accessible.
If you have specific accessibility questions, we encourage you to connect with us. We are always happy to talk through details and help plan well.
No! However, the “tuck shop” will be open a couple times and will have snacks and Camp Arnes clothing/gear for sale.
If you are in Cedar Lodge, you do not need to bring bedding. If you are in Poplar Grove, you do need to bring bedding.
Meals are provided, but you are welcome to bring your own food and snacks, but please make sure to clean up after yourself!
Retreat includes a variety of activity and free-time periods throughout the weekend. Participation is always invitation, never obligation.
Friends are welcome to choose a quieter option, spend time relaxing, or return to their room for rest when needed. Our goal is for the weekend to feel meaningful and sustainable for everyone.
WiFi service at Camp Arnes is limited and does not reach the accommodations reliably. Cellular service can vary depending on your provider.
We encourage everyone to plan accordingly and enjoy the opportunity to step away from screens and into shared time together.
HCM has subsidized pricing for this year. Normally a retreat weekend would be between $200 and $300.
No. The indoor pool at Camp Arnes is currently closed for repairs and will not be available during retreat.
No, but there will be a wagon ride and possibly the opportunity to visit animals.
Retreat happens rain or shine. While we hope for beautiful weather, alternate indoor activities are planned in case of heavy rain.
The schedule may shift slightly if needed, but meaningful connection and fun will continue regardless of the forecast.
There will not be horseback riding this year. However, there will be a wagon ride and an opportunity to visit animals as part of the camp experience.
The buildings we are using are all accessible. However, some of the doorway and ramp thresholds aren’t perfectly smooth and require a bit of “oomph” to get wheelchairs over.
The paths between buildings are gravel and the condition will depend on recent weather.
Flying squirrel and archery are accessible, but the wagon ride is not wheelchair accessible.
No. Retreat is designed to be an all-inclusive weekend.
There will be a tuck shop open at select times with optional snacks and Camp Arnes clothing or gear available for purchase. Bringing money is entirely optional and not required to participate fully in the weekend.
A detailed packing list will be sent before retreat so you know exactly what to bring.
In general, plan for comfortable clothing for indoor and outdoor activities, weather-appropriate layers, toiletries, any personal care items you require, and medications in their original packaging.
Your room assignment will let you know whether bedding and towels are needed.
About Camp Arnes
Thank you to Camp Arnes for partnering with HCM to create this fun retreat experience at an accessible price for our friends.
From their website: “Located on the shores of Lake Winnipeg, Camp Arnes is where churches, schools, and ministries come to recharge their faith and reconnect with nature. Whether it’s a weekend youth retreat, a leadership conference, or an outdoor adventure, Camp Arnes combines Christian hospitality with wilderness excitement.”
We have fun year after year and look forward to once again enjoying Camp Arnes at a subsidized rate.
