At Camp Good Grief our mission is to bring children and teens who are grieving together in a caring and supportive environment. We want to help kids acquire the language needed to express the confusing feelings associated with grief and bereavement as they begin the ongoing process of integrating their loss into everyday life.
All activities at Camp have been carefully designed to meet the children’s need for age appropriate information about grief, in an atmosphere where a little work is balanced with lots of fun, while new friendships are forged.
The children spend a portion of everyday with their peers in group therapy and art therapy. The rest of the day is filled with activities like sports, swimming, arts & crafts and exploring nature. There is a special event every afternoon designed to bring an end to the day with fun and excitement!
All Camp Good Grief therapists are licensed in their specialty and have many years of clinical experience. There are advanced practice social workers, nurse practitioners, psychologists and art therapists who have undergone extensive training by East End Hospice in the treatment of children’s grief. Our volunteers have also undergone hours of training and have spent a year or more working under the supervision of the social workers helping to co-lead children’s bereavement groups.
Each day at Camp Good Grief is different. During small group and art therapy, the focus for the day is organized around a challenge we know grieving children struggle with. It may be managing new feelings, problem solving, honoring memories or developing strategies to cope with the changes in their lives.
The last day of Camp is exciting day for everyone. This day the children take the lead, they are eager to show you around pointing out everything they’ve done during the week and introducing you to their new friends. We break the ice with dancing led by a wild and crazy DJ. Then time is allotted for a session with your child’s therapist where you are encouraged to ask questions or seek advice. The therapist will let you know if additional help is recommended and provide you with referrals if needed.
Among the activities planned for the day is an art therapy project for you and your child/children. After our Camp song, the week comes to an end, both a happy and sad time for everyone.
