Hendrick Hospice Care’s Camp Courage helps children deal with death of loved one

One in 13 children in the United States will experience the death of a loved one by the age 18. Children who experience such loss often feel alone, different and misunderstood. Hendrick Hospice Care’s Camp Courage offers children peer support and mentoring to heal and regain hope.

Applications for camp volunteers and participants are now being accepted.

Camp Courage is a weeklong day camp open to children and teens entering third through 12th grade who have experienced the death of a loved one. Children are placed in small groups with peers their age and are led through a curriculum by specially trained volunteers and professionals from the community.

Featuring both recreational and therapeutic activities, this summer camp helps participants build self-confidence, trust and understanding of their grief experience. The supportive environment works to give children an outlet for unexpressed emotions, aids in development of coping skills and provides connections with other children who have suffered similar losses.

The camp is from June 5-9 at Hendrick Hospice Care Center, 1651 Pine Street. To apply as a volunteer or register as a participant, go to hendrickhospice.org/campcourage. Volunteer applications are due by May 8. The registration deadline for participants is May 22.

There is a $10 registration fee per child but all other costs are generously funded by Children's Miracle Network and other community partners.

For more information, visit hendrickhospice.org/campcourage, call 325-670-6951 or email campcourage@hendrickhealth.org.