This weekend, June 21 to 23, Hospice of Redmond will be hosting its annual Camp Sunrise for 36 children from Central Oregon who have experienced the loss of a loved one.
Camp Sunrise is an annual bereavement camp for children ages seven to 14 who reside in Deschutes, Jefferson and Crook counties and is offered at no charge. Structured games, music, art, stories and other therapies teach the children about grief and how to understand their feelings. With support by professionals, trained staff and volunteers, children share their experiences and gain skills to help them begin moving through the healing process.
“The camp is truly founded on the understanding that every child deserves the opportunity to grieve in a safe, supportive, and understanding environment. With loving support, children grieving a death can share their experience with acceptance as they move through the healing process. It can be a scary and challenging process, but we are here to help the children and families understand how to grieve and begin to heal,” said Diane Kellstrom, bereavement coordinator for Hospice of Redmond.
Hospice of Redmond also offers specially designed sessions for parents, which provide skills to strengthen their understanding of how to be an effective support system for their children. Post-camp support is offered to the campers’ parents to further enhance the grieving child’s journey to health.
To find out more information about Camp Sunrise or how to apply, visit hospiceofredmond.org/camp-sunrise. If you would like to donate to support Camp Sunrise and ensure that every child attends free of charge, visit the Camp Sunrise website to donate or contact Hospice of Redmond at 541-548-7483.
