Teen Retreat Helps Build Community for Inn Residents

Trips, activities highlight the two-day event geared towards AYA members of The Inn community

Last week, The Children’s Inn at NIH held its annual Teen Retreat, a series of events focused on older residents staying at The Inn. For two days, these Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) residents spent time building a community through educational and entertaining programs designed for that unique time in life which carries enough challenges without the added pressures of rare diseases and clinical trials.

The two days of Teen Retreat were highlighted in part by a pair of field trips – one to Lucky Strike in Bethesda for a bowling outing, as well as a VIP trip to a Washington Nationals game. Families who attended the game were able to have a private meet-and-greet with pitcher Jake Irvin and center fielder Jacob Young, both of whom visited The Inn in 2024 and remembered some of the attendees from their previous interactions. The pair made The Inn’s families feel right at home, signing autographs, posing for pictures, and answering questions about their backgrounds and careers.

At The Inn, the AYA participants in the Teen Retreat took part in a panel discussion with former AYA residents. “Several of our former residents got to share their experiences and help today’s families see that they are not alone,” said The Inn’s Health and Wellbeing Coordinator Ivania Flores. “It was an inspirational and powerful session for everyone in the room.” “The Inn’s CEO, Jennie Lucca, shared motivational insights about life and career lessons that truly resonated with our AYAs. Her message connected deeply with the group and left a lasting impact.”

Throughout the Retreat, Flores and the rest of The Inn’s programming team aimed to help participants open up about the challenges that they are facing and recognize that they have a strong community around them ready to step up and help. Through bonding exercises such as meal prep at breakfast and dinner, as well as the structured activities, the AYA participants got to know some of the people with whom they share their Place Like Home.

The event ended with the entire Inn community coming together to celebrate International Night. The annual celebration featured foods and activities that showcased the home cultures and cuisines of Inn families and staffers. Partygoers played games and listened to international music, enjoying the community around them that has been strengthened over the years through events like the Teen Retreat.