2015 Summer Programs for Grieving Children & Teens

1210 Massachusetts Avenue
Arlington, MA 02476
781-641-4741
childrensroom.org
2015 Summer Programs for Grieving Children & Teens
There are several summer camp programs in Massachusetts and beyond that have been
developed for children, teens, and families who are grieving the loss of a loved one.
The programs listed below are not affiliated with The Children’s Room but may be of interest to
your family. Each year we compile details for summer programs of which we are aware; this is not
meant to be an exhaustive list. If you need additional information on specific programs or would
like to register your child, please contact the camp directly.
Camp Angel Wings 2015 dates: Weekend of July 11-12
Location: Camp Welch, North Main Street, Assonet, MA
Ages served: 6-15 years
Description: Southcoast VNA will be hosting its annual Camp Angel Wings, a two-day
bereavement camp experience for children and teens, ages 6 through 15 who are grieving the loss
of a loved one.
For more information or to apply: Download the registration form at
www.southcoast.org/campangelwings or contact the Camp Angel Wings Director at 508-973-3227
or [email protected].
Camp Erin Boston 2015 dates: Weekend of August 21-23
Location: Camp Bauercrest, Amesbury, MA
Ages served: 6-17 years
Description: Camp Erin Boston is a FREE weekend overnight camp for children and teens ages 6
through 17 who have experienced the death of someone close to them. This three-day, two-night
experience will be filled with traditional and fun camp activities combined with grief education and
emotional support and will be facilitated by bereavement professionals and trained volunteers. The
Moyer Foundation has partnered with Parmenter Community Health Care in Wayland, MA as the
Boston area Camp Erin provider. Parmenter Community Health Care has been a leader in
Children’s Bereavement Services since 1992 with its award-winning HEARTplay program.
Applications due by June 1, 2015
For more information or to apply: Contact Jennifer Wiles at [email protected] or 508-3583000, ext. 244.
2015 Summer Camps for Grieving Children & Teens Camp Kangaroo 2015 dates: June 6-7
Location: Mt. Ida College, 777 Dedham Street, Newton, MA
Ages served: children 5-13 and families
Description: Camp Kangaroo provides a camp experience and a supportive atmosphere for
children who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, grandparent or significant friend.
The primary goal during this weekend will be to provide children the opportunity to meet other
children who have lost a loved one and to share and normalize the feelings surrounding their
experiences. Activities throughout the weekend will focus on memorializing their loved one, selfcare techniques, building relationships and having fun in spite of a difficult time.
For more information or to apply: Please contact Nancy Sherman, (617) 454-0200.
http://seasonsfoundation.org/camp-kangaroo/camp-kangaroo-boston/
Camp Stepping Stones 2015 dates: Weekend of July 18-19
Location: Glen Urquhart School, Beverly Farms, MA
Ages served: children and their families
Description: The Bertolon Center for Grief & Healing, a program of Care Dimensions, has
developed a weekend day camp to support children and their families who have experienced the
death of someone close to them. The camp offers a combination of child-focused activities
including arts and crafts, water activities and games. The camp also offers relaxation activities and
workshops for adults. The entire family will have fun while learning new coping skills. Free of
charge after the nominal registration fee, space is limited and advance registration is required.
For more information or to apply: Contact Care Dimensions at 978-774-5100 or
[email protected].
Circle of Tapawingo Camp 2015 dates: Sunday, August 23 - Friday, August 28
Location: Sweden, ME
Ages Served: Girls, 8-16 years
Description: Circle of Tapawingo is a week-long overnight camp program for girls between the
ages of 8-16 who have experienced the death of a parent. Our mission is twofold: to offer our
campers the adventures and fun of living and playing together at a beautiful, overnight camp while
offering them a supportive place in which to share their grief. http://www.circleoftapawingo.org/
For more information or to apply: Contact Audrey Rothstein, Camp Director, at 240-418-5587 or
[email protected].
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2015 Summer Camps for Grieving Children & Teens Comfort Zone Camp MA 2015 dates:
● Weekend of May 1-3, Sandwich
● June 27 (suicide loss), Boston
● July 25, Charlestown
● Weekend of August 28-30, Sandwich
● September 19, Milton
Locations: Camp Burgess, 75 Stowe Road, Sandwich, MA
36 First Avenue, Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston, MA
Pierce Middle School, 451 Central Ave, Milton, MA
Ages served: 7-17 years for May camp, 5-17 for June camp.
Note: Now accepting camper waitlist applications for the May 1-3 camp
Description: These weekend-long camps will include confidence-building programs and agebased support groups that break the emotional isolation grief often brings. There will also be fun
activities including a challenge course and bonfire. Because everyone here has had a loss and can
relate on a level that few others can, lasting friendships are formed. There are also times to hear
others’ stories, and to tell your own. Everything is done by choice, so you can share as much – or
as little – as you want.
For more information or to apply: Visit http://www.comfortzonecamp.org/parents-and-guardians,
or call toll-free: 866-488-5679.
Manitou Experience Camp 2015 dates: Sunday, August 24 - 29
Location: 47 Camp Manitou Cove, Oakland, ME
Ages served: Boys, grades 5 through 10
Description: Manitou Experience provides bereavement support to children who have lost a
parent, sibling or loved one. Manitou Experience Camps are one-week summer camp for boys that
help build confidence, encourage laughter and navigate grief through friendship, teamwork,
athletics, and the common bond of loss. We’ve put together a selection of the best activities that a
summer camp has to offer. We have land sports, water sports and creative activities. We have
integrated the camp program with bereavement activities and projects designed to help the boys
express feelings, explore memories, build confidence, and find comfort in the presence of their
peers.
For more information or to apply: Visit http://www.manitouexperience.org, call 203-642-4120
(winter) or 207-465-2271 (summer), or email [email protected].
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2015 Summer Camps for Grieving Children & Teens Outward Bound Programs – Expeditions for Grieving Teens
Summer 2015 Dates and Locations:
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Maine Coast Sailing: June 21 – June 27, 2015
Maine Appalachian Backpacking: August 21 – August 27, 2015
See additional locations and dates across the United States on their website (additional
scholarships may not be offered in these additional locations):
www.outwardbound.org/group-programs/grieving-teens/
Ages served: 14 – 18 years old
Note: Discounted tuition is available, but is limited to 10 participants on each course.
Grieving Teens Programs offered by the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School are now
enrolling. These 7-day journeys are a life-changing opportunity. They are for those seeking a fresh
challenge in a unique environment and in an intense team setting.
Grieving Teens expeditions help participants acquire coping skills, build an ongoing supportive
peer network, and to honor the griever through compassionate, purposeful grief processing and
activities.
Through the generous support of the New York Life Foundation and other donors, this program is
being offered at reduced tuition. Additional need-based scholarships are available.
For more details about these Maine Outward Bound programs, visit:
https://www.hiobs.org/courses/?program=12
ESPECIALLY FOR MILITARY FAMILIES
TAPS National Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp for Survivors: July 10-12,
2015 (Tentatively)
Location: New England area
Ages served: Children, teens and adults
Description of program: The TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) Good Grief
Camp for children and teens provides support and comfort for children and teens facing the loss
of a loved one in military service. The safe and supportive atmosphere offers opportunities to
learn coping skills, establish and identify support systems and create awareness that they are not
alone in the grief of their loved one. Children and teens meet others of their own age to share and
learn together. Each Good Grief Camp participant has a military mentor who serves as a
companion throughout the weekend, providing them with special one-on-one attention and
showing them that the military has not forgotten about them. Other summer camps are offered
across the US.
For more information or to register: Visit http://www.taps.org/Seminars/2015/NewEngland/
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