Camp helps youngsters cope with grief

Camp Sunrise participants launch "memory boats." Photo by Jim Mitchell

Nearly everyone has experienced the difficulty of recovering from grief.

It's difficult enough as an adult. But as a child of seven? Or 10? Or even 14? Tough.

Hospice of Sisters/Redmond hosted a camp last weekend, June 27 through June 29, at Suttle Lake for young people who are working through the process of grief. It was the fifth year such a session has been held, according to Janet Whitney, LCSW, organizer of the community session.

"We have 40 children there ranging in age from seven years to 14, and 20 trained volunteer counselors," she said. "That's one counselor for each camper. Parents or friends bring their children and then leave."

Those attending the camp have suffered a personal loss, "probably within the past year or two years at most. These deaths usually are of a family member or relative and sometimes a close friend. Those who attend are still deeply affected," she said.

The outing, called Camp Sunrise, is held at the United Methodist Church camp grounds starting on Friday evening running through Sunday noon.

"While we do talk and counsel about the grieving process, we also have fun," Whitney said. "It is meant to be an enjoyable camping experience even though built around a heavy subject. We have music, play games, swim, and talk around a camp fire."

Parents arrive Sunday before noon for an hour session with Whitney to learn and to share information about their children and the recovery process before a final family picnic.

"We receive tremendous support, both financially and emotionally, from the Kiwanis Club of Sisters and the Sisters Episcopal Church," she said. "Tim Rusk is our camp director and Jim Mitchell, past president of Kiwanis, is generally on hand and always gives us a big boost."

Kit Stafford of Sisters is the "movement director," creating dance activities that form one of the therapeutic "games" used at the camp, along with music and art.

In addition to the counselors who are especially trained in grieving work, other volunteers from the Bend/LaPine chapter of Hospice as well as the Sisters/Redmond division arrive after the camp is over to clean and "put things back in order," Whitney said.

This is a free program for the children and their parents with funds coming from local grants and donations. Make contributions directly to Hospice, 7325 S.W. 23rd St., Redmond, OR 97756.