The Benefits of Grief Camp for Children Dealing with Sorrow

DeAnne Burke, bereavement coordinator

Children, in today’s environment, have dealt with the increased stress of school limitations, social changes, isolation and an overall feeling of uncertainty. For children who have experienced the death of a loved one, those feelings are often intensified.

Grief camps offer a unique environment for children to gather with peers facing similar experiences, share their feelings in a safe setting and begin to heal. Providing grief support in a group setting can have positive lifetime effects for children and promote new connections with peers that may have long-lasting advantages.

Through Elara Caring’s hospice program, we offer Camp Voyage, a one-day family camp for adults and their children ages 6-15 who have experienced the death of a loved one. Our team of bereavement professionals guide a program to promote positive healing and ensure wellbeing. Camp Voyage offers an opportunity for children to connect with other kids who are grieving and begin understanding the natural process of grief. This is also a great way for children to learn how to handle their emotions in a healthy way and learn how to express and cope with grief through arts, crafts and music.

Camp Voyage this year is on Saturday, June 24th from 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at the Howell Nature Center in Howell, Michigan. If you or someone you know would benefit from learning more about Camp Voyage or to register for Camp Voyage, please contact DeAnne Burke, bereavement coordinator, at (517) 348-9688 or dburke4@elara.com