Internship
Lighthouse Family Retreat
During my summer of 2023, I had the privilege of interning with Lighthouse Family Retreat. For those who are not familiar, Lighthouse is a faith-based nonprofit that strengthens families dealing with childhood cancer through retreats. These retreats are no cost to the families in attendance. Lighthouse is centered in Atlanta, Georgia, but has retreat locations in Emerald Isle, NC, Miramar Beach, FL, Watercolor, FL, Saint Simons, GA, and other locations out west in Colorado.
"Flip Flop" Lead
What is "Flip Flop"?
When most people hear the term "flip flop", they tend to think of a pair of shoes. However, at Lighthouse "flip flop" can be defined as kids being able to just be kids. "Flip Flop" is a time each day during retreat that gives children we serve a chance to play and interact with one another while their parents get to connect with other adults living through childhood cancer.Â
My role during internship was "flip flop" lead. I was able to connect with children of all ages, provide fun activities daily, care for all of the kiddos, and improve my leadership and organizational skills. I got to speak during leadership and logistics meetings, create day-to-day activities, prep our different groups for pools/snack times, do inventory, and so much more. I was given "profile sheets" which included all of our retreat families information so I would be able to best meet their accommodations during "flip flop".
Having Faith
As I previously mentioned, Lighthouse is a faith-based nonprofit. This played a huge factor in my growth while interning there. Not only was I able to grow socially and in my leadership abilities, but I grew so much spiritually. Seeing Christ move in families while on retreat is a feeling that I will never forget. We have families who come in that have a broken relationship with God, but leave with their relationship restored. There are so many God moments that I was able to witness while interning that changed my life. This photo was one of many.
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Captured at Night of Worship on the beach. Our oldest boys group gathering to worship together.
Working as a team
While being on summer staff, my team consisted of eight other college students. We spent all 10 weeks together. This included early mornings together, living together, late nights together, and even traveling to different locations together. While some people might believe we had zero alone time, I am blessed to have spent these moments with them. I learned how to be more patient, how to work as a team, and even how to live with 7 other girls in close quarters. I believe God placed each of these people in my life for a reason, which includes me growing in my faith and being a better worker.
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