Detroit, June 25, 2015 – Hospice of Michigan is accepting applications for Camp Good Grief, a free day camp for children who have experienced the loss of a loved one.
The one-day camp will be held 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, August 28 at YMCA Camp Ohiyesa, 7300 Hickory Ridge Road in Holly. Children ages 8 to 17 are invited to apply for the camp, which offers a combination of fun and adventurous camp activities with grief education and emotional support. While this is the first year the camp will be offered in Holly, it’s been offered in West Michigan at Camp Newaygo since 2012.
The camp offers a sharing circle for children and teens to talk about their loss and grief experiences and to share memories of their loved one. Campers also will have the opportunity to create a therapeutic remembrance craft, such as a memory box, that they can personalize with memories of their loved one.
“Camp Good Grief offers a fun and therapeutic environment where children know they’re not alone in their grief,” said Jacqueline Morris, grief support service manager at HOM. “Connecting with others in a similar situation while also having fun is incredibly healing for these kids.”
Hospice of Michigan grief professionals and trained volunteers facilitate the camp, which is open to all children in the community who have experienced the loss of a loved one. DTE Energy Fleet Strategy and Procurement Team is providing transportation, as well as filled backpacks for each child.
Camp Ohiyesa is located on Fish Lake and offers 300 acres of groomed fields and natural woods for play. Its facilities and programs are accredited by the American Camp Association and licensed by the State of Michigan.
Applications for Camp Good Grief are due Thursday, July 30th. Space is limited and those interested are encouraged to register as soon as possible. For applications and more information, please call Jackie Morris at 313.578.6328.
About Hospice of Michigan
A nationally recognized leader in end-of-life care, Hospice of Michigan is the original – and largest – hospice in the state. The nonprofit cares for more than 1,700 patients each day, raising more than $4 million each year to cover the cost of care for the uninsured and underinsured. HOM offers a broad range of services to enhance the quality of life at the end of life, including At Home Support™, our advanced illness management program, community-based palliative care and pediatric care programs. HOM provides grief support and counseling, caregiver education and support, and education programs for physicians and health care professionals through its research, training and education arm, the Hospice of Michigan Institute. For more information, call 888.247.5701 or visit www.hom.org.