November 19 marks Children’s Grief Awareness Day. At Camp Fire First Texas, we have a special place in our hearts for children who have lost a loved one. Most adults have experienced loss and grief and can understand their emotions. As we enter adulthood, it’s not uncommon to have dealt with a death experience. What we don’t realize is the shocking number of children who have experienced the same terrible feeling of loss.
Before they graduate from high school, one child out of every 20 children will have a parent die—and that number doesn’t include those who experience the death of a brother or sister, a close grandparent, an aunt or uncle, or friend.
Children don’t always possess the necessary skills to cope with their loss effectively. Camp Fire El Tesoro de la Vida, a week-long overnight camp for children ages 6-17, helps youth learn these skills alongside their peers. The program consists of 90% traditional camping activities such as horseback riding, archery, canoeing, hiking, nature study, swimming, crafts, sports and games. The other 10% of activities are structured to help children through the natural grieving process. Certified professional counselors lead small group sessions and are on-site at all times to provide counseling and support.
Timothy Sneed, an El Tesoro de la Vida counselor, believes in the healing powers of grief camp:
Children and adolescents facing loss can struggle with numerous issues. Depression, anxiety and trauma related reactions are very common in grief. These struggles can make it difficult for children to function as they typically would at home, in school, socially, as well as personally. It can also be challenging for a child in the midst of grief to cope with, understand, or even accept the loss.
Grief camp provides an opportunity for children struggling with grief to share their experiences with others who may be facing similar issues, allowing the grief process to be normalized. It is the chance to engage in socialization, team and skill building activities, and most of all, have fun. Fun in and of itself can be just as healing as the therapy provided at grief camp which can contribute to the emotional, social and personal development of children. At grief camp children meet new people, gain new experiences, make new friends and face the challenges of grief together with the support of a warm and caring team.
Today at Camp Fire and across the nation, we pause to honor those strong children.
Children’s Grief Awareness Day seeks to bring attention to the fact that often support can make all the difference in the life of a grieving child. It provides an opportunity for all of us to raise awareness of the painful impact that the death of a loved one has in the life of a child, an opportunity to make sure that these children receive the support they need.
El Tesoro de la Vida is made possible in part through the generosity of many individuals, foundations and organizations in the community. In 2014, 67% of the campers attended on a scholarship. To help a child attend El Tesoro de la Vida make a donation.
To request an application for Camp Fire El Tesoro de la Vida contact us.
