For children who are grieving the death of someone close, the opportunity to join with other peers that have faced such painful experiences of loss, often facilitates the treasure of feeling understood.

For young people in such a unique journey, the gift of realizing that the feelings they experience at different times of the grieving process are common, natural and normal -can open inner doors of healing, safety and transformation.

Ginna Maus, L.C.S.W a long-time retreat supporter, carries forward her passionate commitment to children and youth in visioning a gentle and welcoming environment for those that grieve. As one of the original team facilitators of the Bonner General Health Community Hospice Kids Camp, she shares her most moving observation for those children and teens facing the depths of mourning and grief. “It is amazing to me, that through this process of facing and working through grief, you see the light shining through”. For Ginna, it is a gift to be in presence as a compassionate witness, as these young people grow and find empowerment through self-awareness and shared understanding.

Beginning in 1999, Bonner General Health Community Hospice, first developed a pilot project to support children ages 8-17 that have experienced the death of someone close. Now, 19 years strong, the Hospice Kids Camp has served children and teens in both Bonner and Boundary County with an ongoing mission to help children cope with grief.

Reaching in, along a road-less-travelled, a team of trained Hospice bereavement volunteers and staff provide compassionate support and companioning for children and teens in this annual Kids Camp, scheduled June 22-24, 2018. The camp is offered free of charge to Bonner and Boundary County youth, and is an ongoing community service of Bonner Community Hospice.

Kids Camp, shares Ginna, provides a balance of fun, supervised activities and laughter partnered with a safe environment in which each child has the opportunity to recognize their fears, concerns & feelings and explore tools to support them through grief. The week-end camp experience is nestled in a beautiful natural environment with professional staff and bereavement volunteers that are sensitive and present to the individual and unique needs of participating children. Camp activities are supervised by trained adults and geared to the age of campers. Time is allocated for the gift of fun and adventure such as games, campfires, arts and crafts, sing-a-longs and sharing.

As camp participants share about their experiences of Kids Camp, they are moved in the revelation of deepened understanding: “I thought I was the only one”, writes a 14 year old coping with a profound loss. When children have experienced a sudden and tragic loss, the treasure of being in a shared environment with others, offers and opportunity to receive the inspiration from the depth of strength, insight and healing -each have experienced. For volunteers and staff of Bonner Community Hospice: “We listen … We share .. We understand .. We can Help . . . the healing begin”.

For additional information and application for the 2018 Kids Camp, please call Lissa @ 208-265-1185 or email: [email protected]

Lissa DeFreitas is part of the BGH Community Hospice Team as a bereavement/volunteer coordinator.