Camp Erin Helps Kids Get Through Grief

Our House Grief Support Center hosted Camp Erin-LA June 10 – 12 at the at the scenic Camp Bloomfield in Malibu. The camp was for children and teens aged 6 to 17, who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, or guardian in the past three years.
Camp combined traditional camp activities with grief support, education, and remembrance projects.
“Typical fun and engaging camp favorites that took place, included rock climbing, swimming, arts and crafts, and campfires, which were interspersed with projects and experiences used to facilitate expression of feelings, memorialize their loved one who died, and promote healing,” organizers explained.
Andrea, an 8-year old camper, shared her camp journey by stating that, “I like it here as everyone has gone through the same experience as me.”
Campers began their camp journey with an intimate Friday evening ceremony where each camper shared their name, the name of their loved one who died, and placed a photo of that person on a “memory board.” Saturday evening’s Luminary Ceremony was equally powerful and another opportunity to come together to say goodbye to their loved one by writing a message or drawing on a lantern that’s lit and set adrift across the pool.
“By offering Camp Erin-LA, Our House puts a support system into place, offering a safe space to talk and providing the tools to cope with their grief,” said Michele Prince, Executive Director of Our House Grief Support Center. “Camp might be the only opportunity they have to work on their grief with other kids.”
The camp takes in to consideration that every person’s grief is unique in duration and intensity, and that commonalities of experience strengthen the value of a grief support group in helping the healing process.
Our House will be holding their second session of Camp Erin-LA, on August 19 – 21, at Camp Bloomfield. This will also be for children and teens ages 6 to 17 who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, or guardian in the past 3 years. For more information and to sign up, please visit ourhouse-grief.org/camp-erin-la-camper-application-form.
Camp Erin is an initiative created and funded by The Moyer Foundation in Seattle, WA, a non-profit organization established by Major League All-Star pitcher Jamie Moyer and his wife, Karen. Camp Erin is named in memory of Erin Metcalf, a friend of the Moyers who lost her battle to cancer at age 17. Camp is free of charge for all children who attend.