The COVID-19 virus is posing a major threat to our communities. As a healthcare organization, we are doing our best to prevent the spread to any of our staff, including our volunteers, and the people that we serve. For this reason, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the Grief Camps.
We are proud to offer two bereavement camps each year for school-aged children that have suffered the loss of a loved one. Research in the field of grief management shows that camps are promising venues to help bereaved children develop and build resilience in dealing with loss. In addition to participating in many of the camp activities that Marmon Valley Farm has to offer (such as horseback riding, challenge courses, archery, fishing, rock wall climbing, etc.), we also participate in small group discussions, healing art activities, and remembrance services. We feel that the most valuable thing our camp accomplishes, is connecting children to other children their age that have experienced similar loss - many of our campers leave camp feeling like they are not alone in their grief.
The first camp is our Teen Retreat, offered in April of each year. This is a weekend camp for teenagers, ages 14-18. We stay overnight Friday night - Sunday morning, and all meals are provided as well. The 2020 teen retreat was originally scheduled for April 3rd - 5th. (Application Deadline: March 20th.) but had to be cancelled due to COVID-19.
Camp Braveheart is offered in June of each year. This is a day camp for kids, ages 5-13. This is not an overnight camp, and requires pick-up and drop-off daily. It takes place from 9:00am-3:15pm, Wednesday-Friday. Breakfast, snack, and lunch are provided each day. This 2020 Camp Braveheart was originally scheduled for June 3rd - 5th but had to be cancelled due to COVID-19.
Both events are 100% FREE for all participants. This is made possible by Universal Home Health and Hospice, The Green Hills Foundation, and The United Way of Logan County. Both events have a team of trained, background-checked volunteers that include hospice professionals, social workers, and nurses (at Braveheart). Both camps take place at Marmon Valley Farm in Zanesfield, Ohio.
A Grief Camp Volunteer Registration as well as online applications for the Teen Grief Retreat and Camp Braveheart registration will be found below starting in the Spring of 2021.
