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Marriage Enrichment Retreats: Weekend, Annual, or Weekly

Marriage takes ongoing investment, especially during times of stress, transition, or separation. That’s why many couples—both military and civilian—turn to marriage enrichment retreats to strengthen communication, deepen connection, and prevent long-term breakdown.

In fact, the U.S. Military has long recognized the importance of supporting families. Through programs like Strong Bonds (Army), CREDO (Navy), MarriageCare (Air Force), and PREP (Marine Corps), thousands of service members and their spouses attend weekend marriage enrichment retreats every year—often at no cost.

But enrichment retreats aren’t just for the military. Whether you’re looking for a private intensive, a faith-based marriage retreat, or a low-cost group workshop, we offer flexible options to help you reconnect with your spouse.

What Are Marriage Enrichment Retreats?

Marriage enrichment retreats are short-term counseling and education programs designed to help couples:

  • Improve communication and conflict resolution

  • Strengthen emotional connection and listening skills

  • Develop long-term relationship maintenance practices

Think of them as scheduled tune-ups for your marriage—preventative care before small problems become major crises.

Military Marriage Enrichment Programs by Branch

The name and structure of enrichment programs varies depending on your military branch:

  • Army: Strong Bonds Program

  • Navy: Chaplain’s Religious Enrichment Development Operation (CREDO)

  • Air Force: MarriageCare Program

  • Marine Corps: Prevention & Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP)

These programs are often:

  • Free or low-cost for active-duty couples

  • Run by chaplains or support staff

  • Encouraged annually by commanding officers

  • Tailored for challenges like deployment, PTSD, anxiety, and reintegration

Are Marriage Enrichment Retreats Only for the Military?

Not at all. While military couples benefit from subsidized programs, civilian couples can also attend enrichment retreats in a variety of formats:

  • Non-religious marriage enrichment retreats

  • Christian marriage retreats

  • Jewish marriage retreats

  • In-person private intensives (customized to your marriage)

  • Virtual marriage retreats (learn from anywhere)

  • Affordable group workshops (like our 2-day Getting the Love You Want workshop at $895 per couple)

Why Choose a Marriage Enrichment Retreat?

Enrichment programs are more than just “getaways.” They provide:

  • Safe space for real conversations guided by professionals

  • Evidence-based tools for lasting change

  • New rituals to keep your marriage strong long after the retreat ends

  • Flexibility: attend annually, seasonally, or even as a weekend reset

Key Takeaways

  • The U.S. Military provides free or low-cost enrichment retreats through Strong Bonds, CREDO, MarriageCare, and PREP.

  • Enrichment retreats are not limited to military couples—custom, faith-based, virtual, and affordable group options are widely available.

  • Attending annually or even seasonally can provide the maintenance your marriage needs to stay strong.

FAQ About Marriage Enrichment Retreats

Are marriage enrichment retreats the same as therapy?

They blend relationship education, counseling techniques, and skill-building workshops, so you learn new tools in a retreat setting.

How much do marriage enrichment retreats cost?

Military retreats are often free or low-cost. Civilian group workshops start around $895 per couple for a weekend. Private intensives vary by provider.

Are enrichment retreats religious?

Some are chaplain-led (especially in the military), but many are secular or tailored to specific faith traditions.

How long are marriage enrichment programs?

They range from weekend intensives to annual tune-ups to ongoing weekly workshops.

Can enrichment retreats help if we’re in serious crisis?

If you’re considering separation or divorce, a discernment counseling intensive or marriage therapy retreat may be more appropriate. Enrichment retreats are best for growth and prevention.

Sources

  1. U.S. Army Strong Bonds Program
  2. U.S. Navy CREDO (Chaplain’s Religious Enrichment Development Operation) 
  3. U.S. Air Force MarriageCare 
  4. Marine Corps Prevention & Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP) 
  5. Doherty, W. J. (2002). Take Back Your Marriage: Sticking Together in a World That Pulls Us Apart. Guilford Press.
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