Summer Programs

We recommend that you contact the individual programs for the most updated information.

Camp Angel Wings
Camp dates: Weekend of July 24 & 25, 2010
Location: Mattapoisett
Ages served: 5-17
Description of program:
Southcoast Hospice & Palliative Care in collaboration with the Southcoast YMCA will be hosting its annual Camp Angel Wings. A therapeutic two-day camp experience for children and teens, ages five through 17 who are grieving the loss of a loved one.
For more information or to apply for camp: download the registration form at http://www.southcoast.org/home/camp.html or contact Jo-Ann Richard, Camp Angel Wings Coordinator at 508-984-0277.

Camp Erin
Camp dates: June 25-27, 2010
Location: Camp Welch
Ages served: 6-17
Description of program: The camp provides a safe, caring environment and offers fun recreational activities and supportive discussions to help children build trust, self-esteem and coping skills. Age appropriate groups provide an opportunity for children to interact with peers also dealing with the death of a loved one. Planned activities, discussions and remembrance ceremonies create a safe environment for sharing, having fun and making friends. Specially trained hospice staff and volunteers lead art therapy, recreational activities and grief workshops.
Form more information or to apply to for camp: Contact Christine McMichael at 774-627-1916 or check out their website at http://www.vnasm.org/Bereavement.htm#Childrens

Camp Stepping Stones
Camp dates: July 10 & 11, 2010
Location: Beverly Farms, MA
Ages served: contact Hospice of the North Shore 978-774-5100 for more information
Description of program: Camp stepping stones offers grieving children two days of activities, support and fun. During the camp weekend children participate in many activities including creating their own memory stepping stones, recording their own songs and CDs with a music therapist and enjoying summer pastimes such as swimming and games. Adults are invited to participate in group activities as well, while also having the opportunity to partake in such relaxing offerings as Reiki, massage, reflexology and a nature walk.
For more information or to apply for camp: contact The Hospice of the North Shore at 978-774-5100 or grief@hns.org.

Camp Sunshine
Camp dates: May 27 – 31, 2010 (also offered November 10 – 14, 2010)
Location: Casco Bay, Maine
Ages served: Camp Sunshine serves the whole family after the death of a child from an illness. Children from 3 months – 18 years and their immediate family members.
Description of program: Camp Sunshine is a retreat for children with life threatening Illnesses and their immediate families. Camp Sunshine offers retreats for families who have lost a child to an illness for two weekends each year.
For more information or to apply for camp: www.campsunshine.org

Circle of Tapawingo
Camp Dates: August 23-28, 2010
Location: Sweden, Maine
Ages Served: Girls entering 3rd – 7th grade
About the program:
Circle of Tapawingo is a unique program that offers a week of traditional overnight camp to girls who have experienced the death of a parent.
The program’s youngest campers are entering third grade, and the oldest are entering seventh. Campers live in bunks, each with eight campers and three counselors, and participate in a full program of waterfront, arts and crafts, land sports, drama, and nature activities. During the course of the week, there are structured opportunities for campers to share and rework their stories of loss. Under the guidance of a professional, each bunk comes together in a “Circle Time”. This offers every girl a chance to share memories of her deceased parent with her bunkmates. Crafts projects allow girls to memorialize their parents. Later in the week, there is an evening campfire that focuses on the theme of loss. A service held on the final morning of camp is especially meaningful as all campers and counselors place a personally inscribed rock in a memory garden.

For more information or to apply for camp: contact Cathy Spears, Camp Director at 781-820-3388 or check out their website at www.circleoftapawingo.org.

Comfort Zone Camp
Camp dates: July 15-18, 2010 * Comfort Zone Camp has a number of other “camp weekend” dates. See their website at www.comfortzonecamp.org for more information
Location: Mechanicsville, VA
Ages served: 7 yrs old – 12th grade
Description of program:
Comfort Zone Camp® is the nation’s largest independent bereavement camp, located in the Richmond, Virginia, metropolitan area. Currently, we offer camps in Virginia and the New York Metropolitan area for grieving children from across the country. For the summer of 2009 we are starting a Massachusetts location. Dates and specific location for Massachusetts are not set yet. We hold camps for children ages 7-12 and a separate camp for teens age 13-17. For more information or to apply for camp: check out www.comfortzonecamp.org.

Cranberry Hospice Summer 2010 Children’s Grief Program: Drums, Drama, Dogs and Drawing
Camp Dates: July 13 – August 10, 2010; TBD – Drums; TBD – Drama; TBD – Dogs; TBD – Drawing
Camp Times: All sessions run from 6:30 – 8:00 on Tuesday evenings
Location: Camp Clark, Plymouth, MA
Ages Served: Children and Tweens
Description of Program: Our clinicians and trained volunteers have designed a special program of activities for grieving children and their parenting adults.  Participants are invited to attend one, two, three or all four sessions.  Registration will be accepted as space permits.  Pizza and drinks will be provided.  This program is free of charge.  For more information call Kathleen McAleer, MSW, LICSW, Bereavement Coordinator, Pediatric  Palliative Care Director at 508-746-0215.

Cranberry Hospice Summer 2010 Young Adult Grief Program
Camp Dates:  TBD
Camp Times: All sessions run from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: Cranberry Hospice, Plymouth, MA
Ages Served: Late teens and early 20’s
Description of Program: This group for grieving young adults uses a peer support model of care.  Discussions are based on group members’ experiences, expressed needs and individual goals.  New group members are invited to attend on an ongoing basis.  Pizza and drinks are provided.  This program is free of charge.  For more information contact Kathleen McAleer, MSW, LICSW, Bereavement Coordinator, Pediatric Palliative Care Director at 508-746-0215.

Heroic Journey – Summer Teen Experience
 1st session: June 25 – July 1, 2010 (ages 14-18)
2nd session A: July 15-21, 2010 (ages 14-18)
2nd session B: July 15-21, 2010 (ages 19-24)
3rd session: August 2-8, 2010 (ages 14-18)
Location: Denver, CO
Ages served: 14-18 | 19-24
Description of program : Heroic Journey is a course designed in partnership with Judi’s House, a support center for grieving families, to help teens grieving the death of a loved one. This is a week-long course in Colorado, and is designed to help teens discover the strength they have inside to face the challenges ahead. Tuition is covered in full; NFL Quarterback Brian Griese, who founded Judi’s House in honor and in memory of his mother, who he lost at age 12, is raising money to pay the tuition for any teen who wants to be a participant in this special experience. The only cost to the individual student would be $200 in administrative fees ($100 application processing fee, and $100 transportation fee), personal clothing, and the cost of travel to course start.

For more information or to apply for camp: check out their website at http://www.outwardbound.org/index.cfm/do/cp.course_detail/courseID/570 or contact Emily Drummond, Northeast Region Outreach Coordinator at edrummond@outwardbound.org or 207-321-8540 Toll-free: 888-837-5207 x8986.

Manitou Experience
Camp dates: August 22-27, 2010
Location: Oakland, Maine
Ages served: Boys ages 10 to 12
Description of program: Manitou Experience is an overnight camp for boys who have experienced the loss of a parent. The camp provides traditional camp activities, as well as a safe place to deal with their grief. Through the program campers will gain confidence while they work through their loss and develop lasting friendships.

For more information or to provide a camper referral contact Jenny Schreiber, LICSW – Director of Bereavement Services at 617-650-1866 or email her at campers@manitouexperience.org.

Wildflower Camp Foundation
Location: Wellesley Hills, MA
Description: Wildflower Camp Foundation provides camp scholarships for children who experienced the death of a parent. Applications for scholarships are based on nominations. To apply for the Wildflower scholarship ask your group leader for an application. For more information, please contact  info@wildflowercampfoundation.org.