Family & Friend Adventures
to Strengthen Relationships
Time Together + Fun Activities = Strong, Healthy Relationships
Electronics-free, focused outdoor time is beneficial to your family relationships and your mental and physical well-being.
Deer Run prioritizes strong family relationships, and that’s why we provide purposeful year-round opportunities for guests to have life-changing adventures and spend focused time together. From Parent-Child Adventures to Married Couple Weekends, there are a variety of choices for your whole family.
Check out the opportunities listed below. Our hope is that you will start new traditions with your family, invite friends to join you, and make some new relationships along the way!
Spring Festival: A Memorable Day to Reinforce Relationships
Sunday, April 14, 2024 • 2-6 p.m.
Activities are for all ages — the littlest ones to the teens, mom and dad, and even grandparents. This is a great way to experience what summer camps and family camps are like at Deer Run with friends and family!
Nourish Your Relationships
Our team takes the stress out of your adventure weekend or parent-child date by planning all the details. We organize relationship-focused activities for you and your children to enjoy together.
Father-Son Adventure Weekend
EVERY AUGUST
Experience exciting and competitive activities with intentional one-on-one time to create memorable stories, instill deeper respect for each other, and reinforce your relationship.
Mother-Daughter Getaway Weekend
EVERY SEPTEMBER
Looking for an opportunity to slow the pace, recapture the magic of childhood, and engage the heart and passions of your daughter? This weekend allows you to connect on a deeper level and renew your relationship with each other.
Daddy-Daughter Dates
EVERY MARCH & DECEMBER
Dads, treat the princess or cowgirl in your life to a special date that gives her your undivided attention, lets her know how important she is to you, and fosters your precious father-daughter relationship.
Mother-Son
Dates
EVERY FEBRUARY & NOVEMBER
Deer Run’s Mother-Son Dates are a perfect opportunity to set aside the to-do list, the dinner prep, and the schoolwork to simply connect with your son through activities that will totally speak his language! Enjoy the adventures together that energize your relationship with each other!
Enrich Your Relationship
Experience romance, renewal, and refreshment to build a stronger God-focused relationship.
Friday 5:00 p.m. to Sunday 11:00 a.m.
Couples in all seasons of marriage — from the heights of love to the depths of struggle – can spend an intentional, intimate weekend focusing on each other without interruptions or to-do lists! The weekend provides relaxing couple time, valuable speaker sessions, relationship-building activities, and five delicious meals including a romantic Saturday night dinner.
Enjoy upscale, private accommodations at The Lodge at Deer Run or at one of our other amazing facilities. All are nestled within our 150 wooded acres of beautiful rolling hills near historic downtown Franklin, Tennessee.
To create an intimate setting which helps you focus on your relationship, these weekend retreats are limited to 15 couples.
“I can’t wait to share Deer Run with my friends and family. I could feel God here. There was realness from the speakers as well as others. The staff was amazing! My husband and I have tools to take back to our home and share with our kids.”
“Getting away is great but Deer Run’s marriage weekend encourages you to refocus and reconnect in a way that a regular vacation cannot. We went to FL for 6 days…and are leaving Deer Run more rejuvenated in less than 24 hours than almost a week at the beach.”
“This weekend was definitely more than we expected. … I’m excited to watch God work even more in our lives than He already has. … Thank you all for being a vessel of His love.”
Meet Your Weekend Leaders
Fall Romance Weekend
November 22-24, 2024
Start the holiday season off by spending this weekend together so you can focus on each other.
Strategist Billy & Yolanda Jackson are a force to be reckoned with when it comes to “real life” marriage and family situations. They have a unique way they capture and engage their audiences to lead them in living a more peaceful life. They are truly passionate about changing the world one couple, one family at a time.
In 2016, Billy and Yolanda were inspired to share their marriage testimony in order to help other married couples who were seeking to strengthen and restore their marriage. As a result, they launched Live in Peace Ministries.
Together, they host seminars, workshops, conferences and retreats to equip and encourage married people on their journey. While inspiring them to believe that no matter where the broken pieces have fallen, you still can live in peace together and with God.
These two very different souls found God’s true love in 2004 and blended their families together in 2007. Together they have 4 beautiful children and 4 adorable grandchildren.
Throughout the weekend, they will be teaching about how to…Recharge Your Marriage.
Friday Night Session
How to Recharge the Love in a Chaotic World
Saturday Session 1
We’re in this together…Communication is Key!
Saturday Session 2
Effective Ways to Refill Your Love Tank
Sunday Session
Creating a Marriage Legacy
Valentine Romance Weekend
February 14-16, 2025
Give an amazing gift to each other — a weekend getaway filled with adventure and connection.
Weekend leaders to be announced soon. Registration is open!
Bruce Martin, Invest Your Life Ministries
Bruce is an author, speaker, coach, Bible teacher, counselor, and adventure guide. He’s someone you immediately feel like you have known for years. He is a gifted communicator who is easy to relate to, humorous at times, and is genuine in presenting truth and inspiration. He has been married to Marlina for 38 years.
We are excited to have Bruce and Marlina back at Deer Run for the 8th year. At our March event, Bruce is teaching about:
Love That Lasts a Lifetime
- How Deep is Your Love? Communicating and Resolving Conflict in Healthy Ways
- Appreciating the Differences — Instead of Letting Them Drive You Crazy
- How to Understand and Meet Your Spouse’s Emotional Needs
- Love Never Fails — How to Get Through the Hardest Times and Still Love Each Other
Springtime Romance Weekend
March 21-23, 2025
Spring is a perfect season for getting away and renewing your commitment to each other.
Registration is open!
Aron Strong has a passion helping couples and individuals find the intimacy, joy, peace and purpose they long for. He has over 20 years combined experience of pastoral and professional counseling and has significant knowledge and experience in emotions, relationships, and other attachment issues.
Aron is the founder and director of Pathways Counseling and the creator of the therapy model Attuned Systemic Repair. He is also the co-founder of inRelationship, a company that provides workshops and resources to professional counselors and the general public on attachment and relationship issues.
Lindsey Castleman is passionate about transformation in relationships and because of this she very much leans in to the ‘why’ behind the way we show up in relationships. Uncovering the why is essential to transformation, otherwise it is just behavior change and that only lasts for so long. Lindsey has also experienced the benefits of therapy in her own life and marriage and wants to pass that experience along to others. Lindsey has been married to her high school sweetheart for 17 years and are incredibly blessed with a 7-year-old son and their Shepherd mix, Chief.
Throughout the weekend, they will focus on …The Secret to Being/With
Friday Night Session
How We Lose Connection
There is a reason that we start to feel disconnected in our own marriage. Oftentimes we avoid looking at this pattern of disconnection and it can take us over. In this session we slow down this pattern and start to engage our disconnection in a new and different way.
Saturday Sessions
Being
Once we recognize what keeps us apart, we need to engage in how God designed us to reconnect with each other and with Him. In this time we will learn the art of emotions and empathy and how they work towards restoration.
Being/With My Spouse
Knowing how to properly tend to each other’s places of hurt is what we long for. Yet, knowing how to do this is not taught. In this session, we will show how the repair process works in order to bring our loved one closer and strengthen our marital bond.
Sunday Session
Being Us
Our last session speaks to the deeper emotional places we get to experience with our spouse when we have done the work of creating safety within ourselves and the relationship. We will learn how to build a stronger story of love together.
Upcoming Married Couples Romance Weekend
November 22-24, 2024 Fall Romance Weekend — Recharge Your Marriage with Billy & Yolanda Jackson
- How to Recharge the Love in a Chaotic World
- We’re in This Together … Communication is the Key!
- Effective Ways to Refill Your Love Tank
- Creating a Marriage Legacy
Accommodations
Pricing is based on your choice of a private room or no overnight accommodations. Your weekend package includes meals (Friday night to Sunday morning), sessions, couples relationship-building activities, and a couple gift. Lodging options and pricing are listed below. There is a $4.95 registration fee added per person.*
Riversong Suite at The Lodge
2025 Pricing: $375 per person
$750 per couple
- Private second-floor suite with king bed and two sets of bunks — all with Pendleton blankets, plus a full size futon.
- A floor-to-ceiling stone gas fireplace is the focal point in the suite.
- The large bathroom has two private showers with changing areas and a double vanity with granite top.
- Amenities included.
- The suite has an exterior door to the upper deck on the back porch with chairs for a relaxing view of the woods. Exterior stairs lead to the lower back porch.
Treehouse Suite at The Lodge
2025 Pricing: $325 per person
$650 per couple
- This unique private third-floor suite is comprised of two rooms with spruce tongue-and-groove walls which have the feel of a private cabin in the woods.
- Room 1 has a king bed with a Pendleton blanket and room 2 has a twin size bed with a Pendleton blanket and full size futon.
- Private bathroom in room 1.
- Amenities included.
- Room 1 has an exterior door to a small, private deck on the back of the lodge with chairs for a relaxing view of the woods. Stairs lead down to both the upper and lower back porches of The Lodge.
- In room 2, french doors provide a view of the first floor and the surrounding woods.
Woodland at The Lodge
2025 Pricing: $325 per person
$650 per couple
- This spacious private second-floor suite has a queen bed, set of bunks, and a twin-size loft bed — all with Pendleton blankets.
- Private bathroom with amenities included.
- The suite features a large picturesque window which has a breathtaking view of the woods on the back side of The Lodge. The suite has an exterior door to the upper deck on the back porch with chairs for a relaxing view of the woods.
Mountain Dreams
at The Lodge
2025 Pricing: $325 per person
$650 per couple
- A private second-floor room with queen bed and one set of bunks — all with Pendleton blankets.
- Private bathroom with amenities included.
- The room features french doors which open onto an indoor balcony (seating for two) with a view of first floor and the surrounding woods.
Fawn Meadow Suite
at The Lodge
2025 Pricing: $325 per person
$650 per couple
- Private set of two second-floor rooms joined by a Jack and Jill bathroom.
- Queen bed in room 1 with Pendleton blanket. Additional private bath with shower in this guest room.
- Two sets of bunks in room 2 — all with Pendleton blankets.
- Amenities included.
- An exterior door in room 1 opens to the upper deck on the back porch with chairs for a relaxing view of the woods. Exterior stairs lead to the lower back porch.
Cabin Hideaway
at The Lodge
2025 Pricing: $300 per person
$600 per couple
- This private centrally located first-floor room has spruce tongue-and-groove walls which gives a warm welcome to anyone who loves a cabin-like atmosphere.
- The room has a full size bed and a set of bunks — all with Pendleton blankets.
- Private bathroom with amenities included.
Fox Run at Valley View Lodge
2025 Pricing: $325 per person
$650 per couple
- This private centrally located room has a full size bed and a set of bunks all with Pendleton blankets.
- Private bath with amenities provided.
Sunrise Peak at Valley View Lodge
2025 Pricing: $325 per person
$650 per couple
- This private room located on the upper floor has a scenic view, sitting area, and queen size bed with Pendleton blanket.
- Private bath.
- All amenities provided.
Hilltop Haven at Valley View Lodge
2025 Pricing: $325 per person
$650 per couple
- Private room located on the upper floor with queen size bed and two sets of bunk beds, all with Pendleton blankets.
- Spacious interior
- Private full bath with spacious shower and amenities provided.
Hillside Hideaway Suite at
Valley View Lodge
2025 Pricing: $325 per person
$650 per couple
- Full private suite located on bottom floor
- Private Entrance
- Spacious living space with refrigerator and kitchenette.
- King size bed and two sets of bunk beds, all with Pendleton blankets.
- Full private bathroom with amenities included.
Scenic Solitude Suite at
Valley View Lodge
2025 Pricing: $325 per person
$650 per couple
- Full private suite located on bottom floor
- Private Entrance
- Spacious living space with refrigerator and kitchenette.
- Full size bed and two sets of bunk beds, all with Pendleton blankets.
- Full private bathroom with amenities included.
Lakeview Cabin
2024 Pricing: $689 Per Couple
- Spacious interior
- Queen bed with Pendleton blanket
- A bathroom nook provides 2 private showers, 2 private toilet areas, and a double sink area with large countertop.
- Dining table and chairs, kitchenette with sink, small refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker
- Thermostat controlled heat/air and ceiling fans
Eagles Wing at Eagles Nest
2025 Pricing: $325 per person
$650 per couple
- Private guest room at Eagles Nest
- Queen Bed with Pendleton blanket
- Private bath
- All amenities provided.
Eagles Rest at Eagles Nest
2025 Pricing: $325 per person
$650 per couple
- Private guest room at Eagles Nest
- King Bed with Pendleton blanket
- Private bath
- All amenities provided.
No Overnight Accommodations
2025 Pricing: $175 per person
$350 per couple
- Includes everything for the entire weekend — sessions, activities and meals — except for accommodations.
FRIDAY
5:30 p.m. Room Check-in Begins
6:15 p.m. Welcome, Prayer & Dinner
7:30 p.m. SESSION 1
9:00 p.m. Campfire with S’mores
SATURDAY
8:00 a.m. Breakfast
9:00 a.m. SESSION 2
10:30 a.m. Couple Photos
11:00 a.m. SESSION 3
12:15 p.m. Lunch
1:15 p.m. Relationship-Building Activities
4:45 p.m. Couple Date Time
7:00 p.m. Candlelit Dinner, Music & Dancing
SUNDAY
8:00 a.m. Breakfast
9:00 a.m. Worship & SESSION 4
11:00 a.m. Pack Up & Check Out
FRIDAY
5:30 p.m.
6:15 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
9 p.m.
SATURDAY
8 a.m.
9 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
11 a.m.
12:15 p.m.
1:15 p.m.
4:45 p.m.
7 p.m.
SUNDAY
8 a.m.
9 a.m.
11 a.m.
Room Check-in Begins
Welcome, Prayer & Dinner
SESSION 1
Campfire with S’mores
Breakfast
SESSION 2
Couple Photos
SESSION 3
Lunch
Relationship-Building Activities
Couple Date Time
Candlelit Dinner,
Music & Dancing
Breakfast
Worship & SESSION 4
Pack Up & Check Out
Married Couples Romance Weekend Sample Schedule
Activities & Times are Subject to Change
FRIDAY
5:00 p.m. Check-in Begins
6:15 p.m. Welcome & Prayer followed by…
- Dinner
- Session 1
- Campfire with S’mores
SATURDAY
8:00 a.m. Breakfast followed by…
- Session 2
- Couple Photos
- Session 3
12:15 p.m. Lunch followed by…
- Relationship Building Activities
- Couple Date Time
7:00 p.m. Candlelight Dinner
with Music & Dancing
SUNDAY
8:00 a.m. Breakfast followed by…
- Worship
- Session 4
11:00 a.m. Pack Up & Check Out
Upcoming Events
