Grief camp offers healing fun
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News from Tamarack Grief Resource Center
FLATHEAD LAKE — When a child experiences the death of a family member, they often feel isolated and alone. Further complicating things, their parent or guardian is often immersed in their own experience of loss. For 18 summers, A Camp to Remember has provided healing, enjoyable summer camps for bereaved children in grades 3-9.
This summer’s A Camp to Remember on Flathead Lake, August 18-21, is open to children and teens throughout Montana who are grieving the death of a family member.
The four-day, three-night grief camp will be held at Flathead Lake United Methodist Camp, where there are plenty of opportunities for campers and staff to be outside exploring trails in the pines and playing among the rocks, dirt, and wild flowers along the water’s edge. Under the guidance of professionals with expertise in bereavement and outdoor activities, grieving and remembering are balanced with traditional camp fun, including swimming, canoeing, kayaking, campfires, games, singing, arts and crafts, treasure hunts, nature walks, and “secret pals.” During their time together, campers share stories, have fun, and gain strength from understanding peers.
A camper to staff ratio of 3 to 1 is maintained through a team of trained volunteers referred to as the CARE Team. The team is made up of counselors, schoolteachers, activity leaders, and other community members. Each cabin includes grief specialists and activity specialists. Volunteers complete a minimum of eight hours of training and supervision and donate four days of their summer to ensure a positive healing experience for grieving kids.
“Grief is a natural but tricky part of life. Kids thrive amidst connections with understanding others, time to remember, and permission to have lots of ridiculous fun,” Tamarack Grief Resource Center’s Executive Director Dr. Tina Barrett said.
Tamarack Grief Resource Center is currently the only organization in western Montana offering year-round comprehensive grief support for children, women, and men who have lost family members or loved-ones, and are facing the daunting task of integrating profound loss into their lives.
For more information about Tamarack Grief Resource Center, call (406) 541-8472.
