Hospice of the Valley and Community Bereavement Center will be providing Camp Hope for any child who is experiencing grief due to the death of a loved one. This will be the 13th year that Camp Hope has been offered by Hospice of the Valley. The one-day camp is filled with activities that teach healthy ways of coping with grief. The children will have opportunities to express their feelings and to memorialize their loved ones through art, crafts, music and drama. Camp Hope also offers parents and caregivers informational sessions throughout the day that are designed to help with issues of childhood grief, parenting and child safety.
Camp Hope will be held on Thursday, July 10 at the Point Mallard Pavilion from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Camp Hope is free of charge and is open to any child in grades K-12 in Morgan and Lawrence Counties. The camp is primarily funded through donations from the community. On the day of camp, each child will be introduced to their adult “buddy,” who is a trained volunteer. Background checks are conducted on each volunteer at Camp Hope. In addition to art, music and drama, the children will also have the opportunity to take a tethered balloon ride and test their skills on an inflatable obstacle course. Pet therapy will also be available for children at the camp. The campers, volunteers and parents will be provided with snacks and lunch. The day will wrap up with a memorial services designed by the children followed by a dove release. The day is sure to be filled with lots of laughter, fun and healing for grieving children.
Applications are now being accepted, and volunteers are needed as buddies or to help with the art, crafts, music and drama stations. It is easy to sign up your child for the camp or to volunteer. Please call Layla Niemann at 256-350-5585 for more information, or contact her via email at lniemann@hospiceofthevalley.net.
Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County
225 Church Street, Huntsville, Alabama 35801
www.HuntsvilleAlabamaUSA.com