May 29, 2008 issue
Camp Sunshine Begins Soon in Watauga, Ashe and Alleghany Counties
Story by Corinne Saunders
Camp Sunshine is a free, nonreligious camp sponsored by the High Country Home Health & Hospice that helps children ages 5 to 12 deal with grief over a lost loved one.
“The overall goal is to help children learn to move through their grief through activities and interaction with other children who have experienced a loss,” said Kimberly Setzer, a Hospice social worker.
Camp Sunshine will be offered in three counties during the summer, and each camp will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Camp will be held in Watauga County from Monday, June 16, through Wednesday, June 18, at Oak Grove Baptist Church. It will take place in Ashe County at the Ashe Baptist Campground from Monday, June 23, through Wednesday, June 25, and in Alleghany County at the Sparta Lions Club Pavilion from Monday, June 30, through Wednesday, July 2.
Children who have lost a loved one within the past year can register until first day of camp, and adults can volunteer to help by calling the Hospice.
Teens who have also lost someone serve as junior counselors at the camp and in addition to Hospice staff, trained professional counselors are available for the children, Setzer said.
“All the activities help [the children] deal with grief,” Setzer said, adding that they cover what are normal feelings and reactions to grief.
The campers are divided into four groups according to age. In addition to age-appropriate activities, the children attend small group therapy sessions, do arts and crafts, and participate in large group activities with the whole camp.
The Hospice workers pay careful attention to the needs of the children at camp, and occasionally the grief counseling will extend past the three days of Camp Sunshine.
Last year, a large number of children had a lost a parent within the past year and the Hospice staff decided to continue working with them after camp ended.
“Last year as a result of camp, we started two groups for children in Watauga and Ashe,” Setzer said. “We worked with children to help them process grief and the [children’s parents] met at the same time to learn how to help children deal with grief,” she added.
High Country Home Health & Hospice offers bereavement services to the community year round.
For more information about camp enrollment, call Hospice at 828-265-3926. To volunteer for Camp Sunshine, ask for volunteer coordinator Janet Trivette.
Want To Go?
What: Camp Sunshine in Watauga
Date: Monday to Wednesday, June 16 to 18
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Oak Grove Baptist Church
Cost: Free
Want To Go?
What: Camp Sunshine in Ashe
Date: Monday to Wednesday, June 23 to 25
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Ashe Baptist Campground
Cost: Free
Want To Go?
What: Camp Sunshine in Alleghany
Date: Monday to Wednesday, June 30 to July 2
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Sparta Lions Club Pavilion
Cost: Free
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