SMILE AGAIN RETREAT CENTER
What will it look like?
Although Mickey’s Lodge is still in the building phase, there are many things this retreat center will provide for you.
The moment you step in the doors of Mickey’s Lodge you’ll find yourself going “wow!” The lodge is being designed to give you and your family a safe place to simply grieve and smile again. The emphasis here is definitely on relaxation and quiet reflection. It won’t matter what time of the year you have a need, Mickey’s Lodge will be open all year long.
Mickey’s Lodge will be located on a beautiful lake in Central Minnesota. You’ll find yourself hearing the call of loons as you sit by the waterfront in the evening and watch the sunset.
Each of the four family suites will allow the finest in comfort while giving you and your family a private area where you can “just be alone,” if you like. Each suite will have a small refrigerator, as well as a small coffee pot. Fireplaces in the lodge will help create an atmosphere of warmth and contemplation.
The lodge will be open for couples, as well as families. Each suite will allow up to five people to stay in a single room. Personal counseling will be available for any member of the family that wants it. You will be given an opportunity when you register to ask for the counseling time. These sessions will be conducted by Pat and/or Judy.
Special activities will be made available to families who come to Mickey’s Lodge. We realize that many people, who are grieving the loss of a child, or a sibling, often just want a place to get away and gather your emotions. Because of this, organized activities will be optional for people who come.
A state-of-the-art commercial kitchen will be made available to guests to prepare meals or snacks. A continental breakfast will be served every morning between 8:00-10:00 a.m. A local town is just ten minutes away, making dining out easy to do. When weather permits, guests may use a large, stainless steel grill to make anything you like.
The lodge will also have an in-house theatre where movies will be shown on Friday and Saturday nights. For those of you who like to stay “connected,” the lodge will have wireless Internet access throughout. If you don’t want to bring your computer, don’t worry we’ve got that covered too. A special computer lab will allow you to spend time computing.
Mickey’s Lodge will also have a fantastic patio that overlooks the lake. There will also be a four season porch area. This area is designed to help everyone come together for times of conversation and relaxation. Maybe, you’d like to play some table games, cards, or just sip a cup of coffee or tea? This is the perfect spot for that.
If you like you will also have many opportunities to get out on the lake and enjoy time together as a couple or as a family. A large pontoon will give you a very safe way to get out and enjoy the lake. If fishing is something you prefer a fishing boat will await your use. If you’re more into the canoeing end of things, just take our Old Town canoe out for a relaxing outing around the lake.
The lodge will also have a great waterfront area for swimming, or just laying in the sun catching some rays. You’ll find the water in the lake to be clear and refreshing. Don’t worry about weeds either. The sandy bottom makes playing in the water fun and safe.
If you bring your children they’ll love our incredible indoor play area we’re calling the “Bunkhouse.” This area will be brightly lit, and house all sorts of games and activities. Children, or adults, can play video games; build Lego cities, and a variety of other activities.
Registration information will be made available on this site once Mickey’s Lodge nears completion. Our target date is to open in the fall of 2008.
Once you see Mickey’s Lodge we think you’ll agree this will be an awesome setting for you to reflect on your grief, and maybe, just maybe, finding yourself smiling again. We know you won’t want to hurry away. For the best results we encourage people to stay the full five nights that are available each Tuesday through Sunday. We have found it simply takes a couple of days just to relax enough to begin healing.
Smile Again Ministries is a not-for profit 501-C-3 organization. All money given to the completion of Mickey’s Lodge is tax deductible. SAM needs $1.8-2 million dollars to complete phase one of our campus. Please consider giving a gift for this project. For more information on how you can become a vital part in this effort please go to the top of this page and click on the “donation” button. It will take you to a site that will explain any questions you may have about giving.