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Camp Care provides support to bereaved kids

Devon and Angelica are carefree nine-year-olds with energy to spare. This hasn’t always been the case. Last May, the twins’ grandmother died, she was only 66-years-old.

Believing that her children were having a hard time coping with the loss, their mother, signed them up for HomeCare & Hospice’s Camp Care program. Camp Care is HomeCare & Hospice’s summer camp for children who have recently lost a loved one. Camp Care is open to children between the ages of eight and 13.

Penny heard about Camp Care through work, and through her personal experience receiving bereavement support from HomeCare & Hospice, "A precedent of sincere emotional support had been set and I felt it would be beneficial to the children’s healing process. Playing a dual role as their mother and a grieving daughter, I recognized that I needed to do my own healing and may not be able to provide them with the highest level of bereavement counseling possible."

"We were excited to go to Camp Care," Angelica said. Both Devon and Angelica had the most fun with the water activities, which included swimming, fishing and canoeing

The children also participated in arts and crafts and made memory boxes. Camp participants wrote letters to their departed loved one’s. Letters were placed in a ceremonial bonfire the last night of camp. Many campers said the letter writing and bonfire ceremonies were the most memorable parts of camp, with one camper adding, "The hardest thing for me was putting my letter in the fire, but I am proud of myself for doing it."

Children learn more than just coping mechanisms. Camp Care attendees also learn that they are not alone in their grief. "Being around other kids, the experiences they had at the camp … and the healing process they went through at camp certainly helped," said Penny.

Today, Devon and Angelica are happy, spirited third graders who like to play computer games, soccer and football. They spend time with their friends, play with their new puppy Buddy, and pick on their older sister. They love every subject except math and look forward to summertime and the fun it brings.

Camp Care 2007 took place August 10 - 12 at Covenant Acres in Pike, NY.

Through community support, Camp Care is offered free of charge. Support Camp Care 2007 by calling 800-339-7011, or mail your donation to:

Camp Care
HomeCare & Hospice
1225 W. State St.
Olean, NY 14760