Camp Braveheart, Helping Children Cope with Grief

(BELLEFONTAINE) - Suffering the death of a loved one can be difficult for each of us as adults but somehow we cope or at least somehow get through our pain, not that it ever goes away. But what about children who experience the passing of a loved one, who teaches them how to deal with the loss of someone close to them?

Losing a parent or even a grandparent can be a pretty traumatic experience for a youngster. So would be losing a brother or sister or friend. While they can be more resilient, does it make them less likely to have feelings of sorrow and grief?

Fortunately, there’s Camp Braveheart. For several years now, the camp has grown to include 60 children ages 5 to 13, all from the area, who learn that the camp is a safe place to learn to cope with their own grief and to learn that many other children are also coping with the loss of as loved one. This year’s camp will be held Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, June 11-13 at Marmon Valley Farm.

These children often feel alone, they may even mask their grief. Sometimes they feel that adults don’t understand them or the child might be afraid to talk to an adult about their feelings. At Camp Braveheart, they are surrounded by caring adults, trained counselors and hospice professionals.

Camp Braveheart is designed for the specific needs children have when they grieve while offering them a wonderful opportunity to laugh, play and create as well as remember. Children at camp participate in horseback riding, climbing a rock wall, archery, boating and fishing, and crafts. The children will also participate in small groups to help them learn about the grieving process, to express their feelings of loss and to learn that their feelings are normal and shared by other children. Children and their families will participate in a memorial balloon release that symbolizes the release of sorrow while the memories remain in their hearts. Parents, grandparents, guardians and other family members are invited to join the children for this remembrance service on the last day of camp.

Camp Braveheart is free to campers and is made possible through contributions from local community businesses, Caring Hearts of Ohio, united Way of Logan County, and the staff of Universal Home Health & Hospice care. For more information about Camp Braveheart or if you know of a child who would benefit from Camp Braveheart, contact Cheryl Varian at 937.844.2894.