The retreats, which are designed to provide quality grief counseling to families including low-income families, are being facilitated by Evangelical Covenant Church pastor Scott Miller and his family, who opened the retreat center last May after receiving assistance from two Covenant churches and a number of other churches in South Dakota. Local organizations and individuals also have supported the ministry, which has received attention from one area television station.

Retreat times and age groups for the summer retreats are as follows:

• July 14-16 (Monday-Wednesday): Boys ages 13-18
• July 18-20 (Friday-Sunday): Girls ages 13-18
• July 21-23 (Monday-Wednesday): Boys and girls ages 8-12
• August 15-17 (Friday-Sunday) Boys and girls ages 13-18

Along with certified counselors Scott and Christine Miller, three counselors from the University of South Dakota have agreed to help with the retreats. It is hoped that more retreats can be added in the future - this is the first summer the family has hosted specialized retreats for children. The Millers say they have received 400 referrals related to this area of ministry, which they believe affirms their vision.

Scott and Christine Miller are ministering to two Covenant churches - La Bolt Covenant Church and Elim Covenant Church - located in northeast South Dakota. The family helped organize a community youth ministry in 2000 and their efforts have multiplied into a variety of ministries in the region. The free retreats are viewed by the Miller family as one way of honoring God in recognition of the gift of land and buildings for youth ministry.

The family has a heart for ministry to children in times of crisis. Christine lost her father at age 13 - her experiences as an adolescent and her background in counseling will be valuable in directing this unique ministry. Scott describes the retreats as a wonderful opportunity to minister to children and teens and he believes that his staff will greatly benefit kids of all ages. "If you have lost a loved one - a parent, sibling or grandparent - we want to come alongside of you to help in that loss," Miller says. "With the Lord's help, we are looking for great things to happen. And for me, to be able to work with my wife on this is a great thing."

Three years ago, Scott started Solid Rock Youth Ministries using a printing operation to provide job training and a spiritual dimension to his church youth work. Later, a local Baptist church in the area disbanded and gifted its 15-acre property to Solid Rock Youth Ministries. The property includes the former church building and a parsonage, as well as 10 acres of pasture. Local contractors remodeled the Baptist church's parsonage so it can be used for what is now the retreat center. A two-story dormitory to house 60 children was part of an addition to another building on the property. A 40-foot-by-40-foot youth room also was added.

In addition to the amenities of a retreat center, the facility offers horseback trail rides, fishing, boating and hiking, giving visitors a place of solitude and a release from everyday life, according to Miller. It is hoped the retreat center can also be used for church retreats and for an inexpensive getaway for pastors and families.