Archbold Hospice To Host Annual Camp H.E.A.L.

The loss of a grandparent, parent, sibling or friend may occur sometime in a child’s early years. Losing a loved one is difficult at any age but is especially hard on a child. Knowing how to help kids cope with loss can be difficult, especially if you are also working through your own grief.

Next month, Archbold Hospice will host their annual Camp H.E.A.L. (Healing and Encouragement After Loss), a bereavement day camp that helps children ages 6 to 12 to learn to cope with the loss of a loved one by providing a safe and fun environment where they can express themselves while meeting others dealing with a similar situation.

The day camp, funded through designated gifts to the Archbold Foundation, is free and open to any children who have experienced a loss.

“Camp H.E.A.L. provides children a unique opportunity to learn that they are not alone in their grief and that support is available,” said Sheri Walters, Archbold Hospice administrator. “The camp offers emotional support, activities to memorialize loved ones while learning healthy ways to cope with grief through arts and crafts, music and games.”

Camp H.E.A.L. will be held on September 20 at Cornerstone Church of Christ in Thomasville. Registration is required for the camp.

Registration for campers is open, and the deadline to register is September 1, or when camper registration is at capacity.

Camp H.E.A.L., first held in 2005, will celebrate its 20th anniversary this year. 

"As we recognize two decades of this special event, I am proud to continue serving the children in our community working through the loss of a loved one," said Linda Conti, Bereavement Coordinator at Archbold Hospice. "We're proud to know the difference Camp H.E.A.L. has made in the lives of these children, some of whom are now adults."

For more information about registering a camper or becoming a Camp H.E.A.L. volunteer, please call Archbold Hospice at 229.584.5505 or visit archbold.org/campheal.

If you are interested in financially supporting the mission of Camp H.E.A.L., please visit the Archbold Foundation website, designate your donation to Archbold Hospice, and make a note that you'd like to specifically support Camp H.E.A.L. This event is always free to attend for our campers because of the support of generous donors.