A Week with Lighthouse Family Retreat: Serving as a Memory Maker
- Katelyn Pike
- Sep 30
- 4 min read
What is Lighthouse family Retreat?
Lighthouse Family Retreat exists to strengthen families living through childhood cancer. Their retreats are built on four pillars: rest, joy, restoration, and hope. At the beach, families step away from the stress of daily life and instead experience community, laughter, worship, and connection.
For a week, parents and kids are invited to simply be together. To rest, to play, to heal. Volunteers surround these families with love and service, meeting practical needs and creating an atmosphere where God’s joy shines.
My Role: The “Memory Maker”
This past week in Watercolor, Florida, I served as the retreat’s “Memory Maker”, meaning I was the photographer capturing every moment. While volunteers served meals, played games, and carried bags, I was behind the scenes, creating a photographic story that Retreat Families can treasure for years to come.
Though my primary job was photos, I also jumped in wherever I could: helping serve food and lending a hand when needed. But my greatest joy was observing from afar, my very favorite part of serving in this role, The way kids came in on Monday shy and clinging to their parents, and by Friday, they were sprinting down the beach with brand new friends, completely alive in joy.
A Week in the Life at Lighthouse
Monday: Welcome Night
The morning is spent praying and preparing for families to checkin and arrive. After Retreat Families arrive in the evening, everyone gathers for dinner.
Tuesday - Friday Mornings: Flip Flop & Common Ground
Mornings begin with Flip Flop, where kids play with others their age and gender, while parents enjoy Common Ground: small groups where they connect with others walking a similar path.
By the end of the week, the laughter is contagious, and bonds formed feel like family.
Tuesday Night: Tent Fun & Low Country Boil
The first full evening kicks off under the tent and a traditional low country boil. Kids run free, parents laugh, and the atmosphere feels like a family reunion.
Wednesday Night: Unbirthday Party & Date Night
Wednesday is always the most ful with an Unbirthday Party where every child celebrates as if it’s their birthday. While kids enjoy cake, games, and presents, parents are treated to a much-needed date night.
Thursday Night: Family Time & Worship
Thursday allows families to unplug and spend intentional time together. That evening, everyone regathers under the tent for a night of worship, a beautiful moment of stillness, praise, and community.
Friday: Beach Picnic
Friday closes with dinner on the sand and a beach picnic where families laugh, rest, and soak in the sunset.
Saturday: See You Later
At Lighthouse, no one says goodbye. Instead, it’s always “See You Later.” Families and volunteers part with hugs and tears, carrying home not just memories, but renewed strength, restoration, and hope.
Rest, joy, restoration, and Hope
Throughout the week, I was reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” That’s what Lighthouse embodies. A week at Lighthouse is an open invitation to weary families to come, find rest, and be filled with joy again. Watching volunteers selflessly serve, letting kids win at games, giving parents the first plate of food, and laughing through long days, seeing Jesus in the way everyone serves... it is truly heaven on earth.
What This Week Meant to Me
Returning to Lighthouse after two years away was both beautiful and bittersweet. I’ve served on over 30 retreats in the past 8 or so years, and Lighthouse has always been one of my happiest places. (For those that do not know, I was teh Marketer for Lighthouse for 5 years before going full time with Honeycomb.) But this time, I came alone... without my husband, family, or close friends (other than sweet, past coworkers).
I felt joy capturing the week, but I also felt the ache of missing my old job. Serving in a role that is behind the camera, largely solo, sometimes left me feeling a little lonely. And yet, I was reminded again of how deeply I love this place and these people.
Though I’ve followed God’s call into running Honeycomb full time, a piece of my heart will always be at Lighthouse. If I could go back and serve more often, I would. This ministry has shaped me, filled me, and continues to be one of the most meaningful parts of my story.
Lighthouse Family Retreat continues to change lives. If you feel led, I encourage you to:
Learn more about their mission at lighthousefamilyretreat.org.
Donate to help families experience the hope and rest of a retreat.
Or, reach out to me personally if you want to learn more—I would love to share my heart for this ministry with you.
Kate Pike Photo and Honeycomb Films create luxury photo and film collections that capture the energy and emotion in every moment. If you would like to learn how we can capture your wedding, family moments, and more, inquire here. I’d love to capture your story!
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