God's Amazing Race Summer Retreat at Marianist Family Retreat Center

This summer, the Marianist Family Retreat Center in Cape May Point, NJ, held a summer family retreat themed "God’s Amazing Race." The retreat focused on Marianist topics and explored the Arctic region, thus creating ecological awareness in the light of the Marianist charism.

It might’ve been hazy, hot, and humid down in Cape May Point, NJ this summer, but at the Marianist Family Retreat Center, it was as cool as the North Pole!

Our summer family retreat theme was “God’s Amazing Race: Where Family Faith is Cool!” The families were challenged to "Follow Christ" as they explored the Arctic, grew in faith and family unity, made new friends, and experienced all the graces of a summer family retreat. Guiding them through the program were puppet friends, Yukon Chaminade and Topper the penguin. 

With communication, forgiveness, affirmation, and commitment, the retreatants had the chance to reflect on the joys and challenges of family life as they built community with the other families and volunteer staff each week. The program also included “Marianist Moments” to help retreatants learn about our founders, the charism, and all the good works being done all over the world by Marianist religious and laity.

Over the eight weeks of summer programming, we welcomed more than 200 participants—ranging in age from 6 months to 84 years old—from around 60 families. These families were ministered to by more than 90 wonderful volunteers. Among those volunteers were eight visiting Marianists and, of course, our own Cape May Point Marianist Community.

From grillin' and chillin' to prayin' and playin', the Marianist Family Retreat Center was truly a place where "Family Faith is Cool!" this summer.

Update shared by Jessica Sherwen,

Program Director,

Marianist Family Retreat Center, Cape May Point, NJ