A Beacon of Hope – Camp Lighthouse Helps Children Cope With Their Grief

[dropcap]Losing a parent can be devastating to a child, but a unique camp for grieving children is helping to make coping easier.[/dropcap] Nearly 50 children attended the 2nd 19 and 20 at the 4-H Education Center in Williamsburg. Trained professionals and volunteers were on hand to help participants explore their feelings and issues related to their grief during the camp, which was hosted by Sentara Hospice.

Anita Campbell volunteered for the camp last year and was so moved by the experience that she decided to help again this year, and rounded up roughly 30 other volunteers as well. “This camp is about showing these children that there is a community here who cares for them and that there are people who want to help them,” Campbell said. “We want them to know that we are rooting for them, we want to help them heal and we truly care about them. The camp really is a life-changing event, both for participants and volunteers.”

Campbell decided to volunteer again in part after running into an 8-year-old neighbor last year whose father had passed away.

“The camp was so helpful for him, and he opened up for the first time about it at the camp,” Campbell said. “It was so wonderful to see him so impacted so personally by it. It really touched me. These kids, you have no idea why they are here or what they’ve been through in their life. They don’t seem to show it when they are here, and they are happy when they are here. It’s very inspirational. I think it helps to see other people who are going through a similar experience and can help support them.”

During opening ceremonies, the children and accompanying adults paraded through the grounds carrying signs and flags representing their lost loved ones.

“We will support you,” Danene Abdallah, Sentara Hospice Program Manager, told the campers. “We will walk you through your journey and we mean that. Thank you for letting us in and letting us be a part of your life. When you leave here, you will be a different person. You will learn different ways to share and different ways to grieve.”

Campers in kindergarten through high school attended the camp, and were divided into age-appropriate groups for a fun-filled weekend that included team-building games, crafts, exercising, campfires, carnival games and other activities. Participants were also encouraged to discuss their grief and feelings during small group sessions, and the camp ended with a special memorial service.

“I think this camp is very beneficial for these kids,” said Allen Langford, who volunteered at the camp with his wife. “We as adults can condition ourselves to accept it [the death of a loved one], but it is harder for children to cope.”

For more information on Camp Lighthouse, call 757-736-0709 or email camplighthouse@sentara.com.