Clear answers remove friction. Use this page to handle the practical questions families ask before registering and give them a simple way to reach the team.
BYU Professor of Family Life
Loren D. Marks, PhD, is a Professor in BYU’s School of Family Life and a nationally recognized researcher on the connection between faith and family relationships. As co-director of the American Families of Faith Project, he has spent years studying what helps families build strong, meaningful relationships across different cultures and faith traditions. Loren brings both scholarly expertise and a deep personal commitment to helping families become more intentional, connected, and resilient.
The Screen Guy
Draft questions are included below so the structure is ready. Replace each answer with the client’s final operational details.
We’ll provide your family with a detailed packing list before the retreat. In general, plan to bring comfortable clothing, appropriate footwear, personal toiletries, weather-specific layers, and any personal medications or necessities your family uses regularly. We also encourage each family member to bring a Bible, journal, or other personal devotional materials if desired. Most activity-specific equipment and retreat materials will be provided on site, so you can focus on being present rather than packing everything under the sun.
The Forge is designed to challenge families without requiring everyone to have the same physical ability or experience. Activities will range from low-key, reflective experiences to more active outdoor challenges, with opportunities to choose your level of participation. Whenever possible, alternate options will be available for those who need them. Safety is a priority, and activities will be led or supported by trained guides and experienced staff. The goal isn’t to see who can push the hardest—it’s to create experiences that help families work together, encourage one another, and grow closer.
Your family will stay in a premium lodge, selected to provide a comfortable and welcoming environment throughout the retreat. Families will have their own private rooms and bathroom, giving you space to relax and recharge between activities. Lodging will include washer and dryer, comfortable beds, hot tub, ping pong table, and access to multiple shared kitchens (although all food will be provided). While The Forge is intentionally designed to help families step away from everyday distractions, we also want your stay to feel comfortable, peaceful, and special.
Meals are included throughout the retreat and are designed to be simple, nourishing, and enjoyable for the whole family. We’ll provide multiple high-end catered meals as well as other more simple and nourishing meals from our team. These will be opportunities for families to sit down and enjoy meals together rather than rushing from one activity to the next. If your family has dietary restrictions or food allergies, you’ll be able to communicate those during our personalized registration so we can plan accordingly. Please let us know about serious allergies in advance so our team can make appropriate arrangements.
Because The Forge is limited to just 10 families, we make significant commitments to lodging, meals, activities, and staffing well in advance. For this reason, we have the following cancellation policy:
If your family is unable to attend, you may request to transfer your reservation to another family before September 29. Transfers must be approved by The Forge and are subject to availability.
If The Forge is canceled by the organizers due to circumstances beyond our control, families will receive a full refund of their retreat payment. The Forge is not responsible for airfare, transportation, lodging outside of the retreat, or other travel expenses.
Because of the limited number of spots and the non-refundable commitments required to host the retreat, we encourage families to consider travel insurance to protect against unexpected circumstances.
Our goal is to make this policy fair to both families and the retreat while allowing us to make the commitments necessary to create an exceptional experience.
Faith isn’t simply something we talk about at The Forge—it is woven into the experience. As a Christ-centered retreat, families will have opportunities to learn from gospel-centered teaching, pray together, reflect on their Savior, and have meaningful conversations about faith and family life. Some experiences will be intentionally set apart for worship and spiritual reflection, while others will simply give families opportunities to practice Christlike principles such as service, forgiveness, gratitude, patience, and love. Our hope is that families don’t just leave with great memories, but with a deeper connection to Jesus Christ and to one another.
Draft questions are included below so the structure is ready. Replace each answer with the client’s final operational details.
Your family’s experience at The Forge is designed to be as seamless as possible. Your retreat includes lodging, meals, guided family activities, Christ-centered faith programming, welcome materials, and take-home resources designed to help you continue the experience after you return home. Our goal is to give your family the space to step away from the normal demands of life and focus on what matters most—connection, growth, faith, and one another.
The Forge is designed for families who want to slow down, reconnect, and be more intentional about the relationships within their home. It is especially well suited for families with children in the 9-17 range, although families outside that range may still be a great fit. Activities are designed with different abilities and comfort levels in mind, and participation is never about being the strongest, fastest, or most experienced. First-time retreat families are absolutely welcome. You don’t need to have any previous retreat or outdoor experience to come.
We’ll provide your family with a detailed packing list before the retreat. In general, plan to bring comfortable clothing, appropriate footwear, personal toiletries, weather-specific layers, and any personal medications or necessities your family uses regularly. We also encourage each family member to bring a Bible, journal, or other personal devotional materials if desired. Most activity-specific equipment and retreat materials will be provided on site, so you can focus on being present rather than packing everything under the sun.
The Forge is designed to challenge families without requiring everyone to have the same physical ability or experience. Activities will range from low-key, reflective experiences to more active outdoor challenges, with opportunities to choose your level of participation. Whenever possible, alternate options will be available for those who need them. Safety is a priority, and activities will be led or supported by trained guides and experienced staff. The goal isn’t to see who can push the hardest—it’s to create experiences that help families work together, encourage one another, and grow closer.
Your family will stay in a premium lodge, selected to provide a comfortable and welcoming environment throughout the retreat. Families will have their own private rooms and bathroom, giving you space to relax and recharge between activities. Lodging will include washer and dryer, comfortable beds, hot tub, ping pong table, and access to multiple shared kitchens (although all food will be provided). While The Forge is intentionally designed to help families step away from everyday distractions, we also want your stay to feel comfortable, peaceful, and special.
Meals are included throughout the retreat and are designed to be simple, nourishing, and enjoyable for the whole family. We’ll provide multiple high-end catered meals as well as other more simple and nourishing meals from our team. These will be opportunities for families to sit down and enjoy meals together rather than rushing from one activity to the next. If your family has dietary restrictions or food allergies, you’ll be able to communicate those during our personalized registration so we can plan accordingly. Please let us know about serious allergies in advance so our team can make appropriate arrangements.
Because The Forge is limited to just 10 families, we make significant commitments to lodging, meals, activities, and staffing well in advance. For this reason, we have the following cancellation policy:
If your family is unable to attend, you may request to transfer your reservation to another family before September 29. Transfers must be approved by The Forge and are subject to availability.
If The Forge is canceled by the organizers due to circumstances beyond our control, families will receive a full refund of their retreat payment. The Forge is not responsible for airfare, transportation, lodging outside of the retreat, or other travel expenses.
Because of the limited number of spots and the non-refundable commitments required to host the retreat, we encourage families to consider travel insurance to protect against unexpected circumstances.
Our goal is to make this policy fair to both families and the retreat while allowing us to make the commitments necessary to create an exceptional experience.
Faith isn’t simply something we talk about at The Forge—it is woven into the experience. As a Christ-centered retreat, families will have opportunities to learn from gospel-centered teaching, pray together, reflect on their Savior, and have meaningful conversations about faith and family life. Some experiences will be intentionally set apart for worship and spiritual reflection, while others will simply give families opportunities to practice Christlike principles such as service, forgiveness, gratitude, patience, and love. Our hope is that families don’t just leave with great memories, but with a deeper connection to Jesus Christ and to one another.
Our team will be glad to answer any questions you might have so feel free to leave us an email, a text or a call.
Email: theforge.familylegacy@gmail.com
Phone: (801) 823-7041
OCTOBER 13-17 FALL BREAK!
