Camp brings sunshine into lives

People

Friday, Oct. 16, 2009

Click here to enlarge this photo Submitted photo Camper Cheyenne Browne and Hospice of Charles County volunteer and dietitian Becky Sutay participated in the hospice's annual Camp Sunshine. E-Mail This Article | Print This Story

The ninth annual grief camp, Camp Sunshine, hosted by Hospice of Charles County in La Plata, was Sept. 26. The bereavement program is designed for children 6 to 12 who have experienced the death of a loved one.

Hospice Bereavement Coordinator Lucia Hartman and Volunteer Coordinator Susie Loomis organized Camp Sunshine as a one-on-one program. Little Buddies were paired with a Big Buddy throughout the day to help the children think about their losses, face their reality, express the feelings and emotions experienced with their losses and then reinvest in life. At Camp Sunshine, kids can feel normal.

The children had opportunities to mourn through art therapy, recreational activities, healing experiences, play, talking and memorials.

The magic of the camp is that everyone knows what it feels like to have someone in his or her life die, which is powerful for a child, according to a press release.

They can talk, be angry, be sad or cry and no one will make fun of them. Grieving children learn coping skills in a safe, caring and fun environment.

Happy times are remembered and in the end, when the balloons are released and dedicated to those who died, the experience becomes a path to new hope. Through a lot of talking, laughing and playing, kids learn about death and dying.

According to the release, the hospice thanks those who sponsored or volunteered at the camp including Jerry Behm, Tillie Brown, Karen Fenner, Corinne Hagan, Linda Harrigan, Destin Hogue, Susan Kuczera, Michelle Ritter, Becky Sutay, Ethel Taylor-Young, Susan Williams, Marisa Cucuzzella of Melwood Retreat Center and Chris Heinze of Pizza Hotline in La Plata.

The 10th annual Camp Sunshine will be held May 15 at the Melwood Retreat Center.

To learn more about Camp Sunshine or the other services Hospice of Charles County offers, call 301-934-1268 or e-mail lhartman@hospiceofcharlescounty.org.