In January 2019, a group of 45 teens, volunteers, and Hemophilia of Georgia staff travelled to Charlotte, North Carolina for our annual Teen Retreat. The group had an opportunity to explore the city of Charlotte, learn about the culture and history of the region, and spend time doing outdoor activities at Camp Thunderbird. We also celebrated the Martin Luther King Jr., holiday by giving back to the community through a service project.

When we arrived in Charlotte on Saturday afternoon, January 19, our first stop was the NASCAR Hall of Fame, one of Charlotte’s most famous museums. Some of the teens knew a lot about NASCAR and were excited to share those interests. Others didn’t know much about the sport and had a chance to experience and learn about something totally new. Some teens hopped into a simulation vehicle and raced along the track against their peers. Others practiced their skills at changing a tire and fueling up a race car at the Pit Stop. After a bite to eat at Buffalo Wild Wings, we were off again to another adventure.

Our next stop was Escape Tactic, where we split into five groups. Each group spent one hour working together to find clues, solve puzzles, and eventually “escape” the adventure. The groups seemed to have had a lot of fun and this was a great opportunity to break the ice before heading to camp. Although it was pouring rain when we arrived at camp that night, volunteers and staff toted luggage for the teens to their cabins, while the teens stayed warm and dry on the bus. Everyone kept a positive attitude and sleep came easily after the long day!

On Sunday morning after breakfast, the teens took part in a decision-making activity called "The Fallout Shelter."  After learning about the decision-making process, the teens put their knowledge to the test.  In “The Fallout Shelter” exercise, our volunteers played the role of ten people who would be chosen to save the world, and humanity, after a nuclear event.  There was one problem - we only had enough supplies to save six people.  Our volunteers took their roles very seriously and vied for one of the coveted spots in the shelter.  The teens worked as groups to interview our characters and ultimately decide which six would be responsible for saving humanity.  The teens learned that while not all decisions are life or death, there are critical questions to ask and things to consider before making important decisions.

After “The Fallout Shelter,” the teens divided into groups and chose their activity of basketball, boardgames, hiking, and relaxing before heading to Charlotte again. Our first stop was at Discovery Place Science. At Discovery Place, we explored their aquarium, the rainforest exhibit, and the strange world of physical phenomena, and watched an IMAX movie in the dome theatre. The teens had a chance to interact with animals and experience the laws of physics. That night, we took a tour on Charlotte’s Funny Bus, and learned about the city of Charlotte, its culture and art, architecture, and history. After heading back to camp, the teens were able to hang out and have s’mores by the campfire.

After two days of non-stop adventure, we observed the Martin Luther King Day Jr. Day of Service by giving back to the community. We participated in an activity with the United Way of Piedmont to learn about poverty, self-sufficiency, and financial stability. We created 200 bags of hygiene supplies for the local homeless population. Each bag contained necessities including a toothbrush and toothpaste, soap and shampoo, and a personalized note written by the teens. This activity and experience shed light on community needs and provided the teens with time to think about how they can continue to serve.

We enjoyed spending time with our teens at this Teen Retreat, and we hope they all had fun, learned a lot, and made new friends. Thank you to the staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly to make this event happen. We look forward to seeing you at the next Hemophilia of Georgia event!