FA Family Retreat
We hope to see you at the 2025 FA Family Retreat, taking place at The Painted Turtle in California!
The Family Retreat offers a unique opportunity for families registered with us to participate in presentations by leading researchers and physicians specializing in Fanconi anemia (FA). Attendees will benefit from support groups aiding in coping with the disease, voluntary participation in FA research projects, and the chance to connect with other families impacted by FA.
See what fun awaits you at The Painted Turtle!
The mission of The Painted Turtle is to provide a year-round, life-changing environment and authentic camp experience for children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses. The Painted Turtle supports children’s medical needs, inspires them to reach beyond their illnesses, and provides care, education, and respite for their families. All campers and families attend completely free of charge.
Campers at The Painted Turtle enjoy a fun, safe, and adaptive environment where all activities are designed to accommodate campers with medical concerns. At Camp, children are empowered to learn about their own medical care and are given the confidence to become more independent.
Event Details
- Dates:
2025 dates TBD. - Check-in:
2025 dates TBD. - Check-out:
2025 dates TBD.
Cost for Participants
Thanks to the collaborative support of FCF and The Painted Turtle, there is no registration fee for attending the Family Retreat. Participants are responsible for travel only, with all other associated expenses covered by the organizers.
Eligibility and Prioritization
Families with children with FA aged 18 and under are welcome to apply. Priority will be given to newly diagnosed families and those attending the retreat for the first time. Travel scholarships are available through FCF to assist with travel expenses.
High-Priority Acceptance Criteria:
- Newly diagnosed or first-time attendees
- Families facing significant medical decisions or treatments within the next 12 months
- Individuals in their first year following the loss of a child or who have not attended since the loss of their child
Volunteer Opportunities for Adults with FA (19+):
Adults with FA aged 19 and above who are interested in attending are encouraged to volunteer as camp counselors, providing a unique and meaningful experience. Applications for volunteering can be found on the Painted Turtle website.
Applications for the Family Retreat are currently open and will be accepted until the deadline, (TBD for 2025). If you are not a family with a high-priority acceptance criteria listed above, we encourage you to apply sooner rather than later, as families will be accepted based on a first come, first serve basis.
Inquiries and Assistance
For any questions or assistance with the application process, please contact the Painted Turtle Camper Admissions team at (661) 724-1768 or admissions@thepaintedturtle.org.
Travel Scholarships
FCF has established a limited scholarship assistance program to support families with travel expenses. For eligibility criteria and application details, please click here.
Agenda Highlights
The Family Retreat will feature educational sessions on FA, caregiver support groups, and various family activities including archery, rope courses, horseback riding, and fishing.
Travel Planning
The Painted Turtle will provide transportation to and from Camp for families flying into Burbank Airport (BUR). To ride a shuttle, families must arrange flight times according to The Painted Turtle pick-up and drop-off times. If your flight times are made to a different airport or outside of these times, The Painted Turtle cannot guarantee transportation to Camp. Please note, it is strongly recommended that families purchase flights after receiving an acceptance Welcome Packet from Camp. Any flights purchased before that time are at your own risk.
We understand that families may be traveling internationally or from destinations that do not connect to Burbank Airport. The Painted Turtle will provide limited shuttle service for families from LAX, please follow the same arrival and departure times and reach out to The Painted Turtle Camper Admissions team to coordinate shuttle service.