Camp Sunrise helps grieving survivors

Visitors to Camp Sunrise light candles in honor of those they have lost.

Last weekend 35 campers ages 7-14 attended Camp Sunrise, a camp for bereaved youth created by Hospice of Redmond & Sisters and conducted at the United Methodist Church Camp on Suttle Lake.

Campers from Redmond, Prineville, Bend, Madras, and John Day were immersed in structured games, music, art, stories, and other therapies that teach about grief and loss and how to understand their feelings.

Music before, during, and after most activities was provided by Tom Robson, a musician and weaver, who was seldom seen without a guitar.

His music and enthusiasm brought campers, counselors, and staff together. Tom and his wife Darla also provided an array of guitars, mandolins, drums, and other instruments that were shared with the campers.

Saturday's activities included the construction of power-sticks, utilizing walking staff-sized sticks from the forest. Decorated with paint, ribbons, beads, feathers, and clay figurines molded by the campers, the sticks represented personal power.

Most campers kept them close-by for the remainder of camp.

The children constructed "memory boats" honoring those who had died. The boats were made from natural objects such as wood, leaves and feathers. The campers launched the memory boats in the creek Sunday morning -- accompanied by a bald eagle flyover.

The volleyball court was always busy during free time. A few braved the cold waters of Suttle Lake. The Humane Society arrived with dogs and kittens, which immediately bonded to gentle hands.

Saturday night's campfire ceremony featured the lighting of candles honoring those who had died. Each camper lit a candle and told who it honored. Some campers (and counselors) remained at the campfire with their memories long after others had returned to the lodge.

Upon arrival Sunday, parents were debriefed and presented with a follow-up plan. Then parents, staff, and campers joined together for a barbecue picnic.

Camp Sunrise was establish in 1997, survived for three years, then was dormant due to lack of funds. This year's funding came from Hospice fund-raisers, grants, and donations. Janet Whitney, camp co-director, singled out the Kiwanis Club of Sisters as a moving force in establishing this year's program with substantial early donations.

Attendance was free to all campers. Sisters residents who participated in this year's program were Ruth Goodwin (operations), Kit Stafford (movement, drama), Kerani Mitchell (counselor), and Jim Mitchell (photography). Applications for camps and donations can be made directly to Hospice of Redmond & Sisters. Call 548-7483.