From the moment campers arrive, they are welcomed by a community that knows what it’s like to love and to have lost. Bereavement counselors, social workers, volunteers and integrative medicine specialists provide an opportunity for participants to express their grief and develop effective coping strategies in a fun, safe and supportive environment. At the end of the day, campers report a sense of lasting community and inner healing. 

“Children in grief often feel alone,” Holly Bender (LCSW), bereavement counselor, said. “They may not think that anyone else gets it or know that other people are experiencing similar situations. When you see those kids come together, and they see that other kids are going through what they're going through, they know they're not alone anymore. Throughout the day, we see them build that peer connection and learn that it is okay to talk about and express their feelings, often building friendships that last." 

Children and their caregivers engage in a variety of physical, mental and social activities to process their loss and find a way of expression that is a good fit for them. Campers start the day together with family activities before being divided into peer groups. Each age-appropriate activity is tied to a grief support objective, such as sharing their personal grief story, learning healthy coping strategies, developing communication skills to share feelings, and understanding the importance of remembering loved ones. 

“You see the connection that kids have made with other kids and the guardians have made with other guardians and the impact that Camp Hope has in just that day to help people find things in common that they can’t necessarily talk about with their neighbor or close friend,” Pam Dixon (MSW), regional counseling supervisor, said. 

In 2023, Eastern Kentucky’s Camp Hope will take place on September 16 at Four Star Village in Redfox. This camp offers peer group and family activities, music therapy and an emoji game. Central Kentucky’s Camp Hope will take place on October 21 at the Life Adventure Center in Versailles. In addition to activities, this camp also offers equine therapy, a giant swing and a variety of low ropes activities.  Families are welcome to select either camp to attend based on their preferred date or location.  

In the adult peer group, parents or guardians also participate in activities, process emotions and learn how to guide children through their grief. The hope is that healing will occur not only within peer groups, but also enable families to discuss experiences and difficult subjects moving forward. Each activity is led by a bereavement counselor or a social worker who is trained to help others fully process their grief, provide education and give permission and tools to express feelings. 

“Camp normalizes that I am not the only person to experience this,” Susan Houston (LCSW), bereavement counselor, said. “The ages are congruent, so they’re all on the same level in reacting and understanding their loss, and they know they’re not alone. You can see from the hesitancy in the morning, and it’s just this beautiful transformation by the end of the day.” 

Bereavement counselor, Dr. Lisa King (PsyD) was especially moved by a young camper in first grade. In the morning, the girl hid behind her guardian and wouldn’t approach the therapy dogs. By the end of the day, she was running around, giggling, had made a best friend and was hugging the dogs. 

Some campers make lifelong connections. In 2018, two 11-year-old boys attended Camp Hope after each experienced the sudden, traumatic loss of their father/father figure. The boys immediately connected and two weeks later attended a camp reunion. They ran into the room so happy to share that they discovered they go to the same school and are neighbor and get to see each other every day. 

“A few months ago, I ran into one of the mothers and she said the boys are still best friends,” Bender said. “Just to know that they have this lifelong connection where they can continue to help each other heal as they grow, that to me is what camp is all about!” 

Space is limited, so reserve your spot today! Southeast Kentucky Camp Hope is September 16 with a registration deadline of August 1. Central Kentucky Camp Hope is October 21 with a registration deadline of September 1.

The Bluegrass Grief Care program is available to anyone in the community who has experienced the loss of a loved one, and offers various programs, including camps, support groups and individual grief counseling. The Grief Care program and Camp Hope are possible due to the kindness and generosity of donors who support the program. Learn more and join us in supporting others through their grief.