#HDCONNECT Retreat
June 23, 2025

HDYO has more information about HD available for young people, parents and professionals on our site:
www.hdyo.org
We are incredibly excited to host a new program, #HDCONNECT, an interactive two-day retreat held in conjunction with the Help4HD Symposium on September 5-6 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
This retreat will offer young people (14-30) in the US the chance to meet others impacted by HD to learn about HD through educational workshops and shared experiences. This retreat will combine traditional conference-style sessions with summer camp-inspired community building. For those selected to attend, HDYO will cover the travel and hotel costs.
Goal - We aim for young people attending this retreat to benefit by feeling less isolated, more supported, as well coming away from this retreat with an improved understanding of HD and strong peer connections with other young people in similar situations. This will be a youth focused track that will run parallel to the Help 4 HD Symposium.
General Details
When: September 5-6, 2025
Where: Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach - a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
Who can apply?
Young people ages 14-17 who are impacted by Huntington's disease who live in the United States (must be accompanied by a guardian at least 25 years old)
Young people ages 18-30 who are impacted by Huntington's disease who live in the United States
Find Out More Information
Drafted Schedule
Thursday, September 4
- Attendees arrive; dinner on your own
Friday, September 5
Breakfast on your own
10 a.m. – Check-in and Welcome
- Large group getting to know you activities
- Introduction of retreat groups (based on age and self-provided demographics)
11:30 a.m. – Lunch on the beach with groups
12:00 p.m.
Group sessions begin (various rooms)
- Break into small groups for topics like grief and loss, coping etc. based on needs of participants
- Larger sessions for understanding HD genetics
- Team building
2 – 3 p.m.
- Activities – art, free time, Game Over HD, walk, etc
4-5 p.m.
- Group sessions
5 p.m. Break
- Dinner – attend the Help4HD dinner reception with group and movie night
Saturday, September 6
Check-in with Help4HD Symposium
Young Person Track with a mix of:
- Young caregiver stories
- What symptoms mean and how to navigate those
- Talking about HD
- Support Services
- Activities/Free Time
Lunch will be provided through Help4HD
Sessions continue
- What’s next when you go home? Post event let-down
Dinner reception through Help4HD
Advocacy Partners
Program Partner
Supporting Partners