Program Information

H.U.G.S. is a one-day camp providing activities for children and teens, age 5 and up, and their families.

Youth are divided into four age groups to be able to more effectively assist them with the grieving process. Adults attending will gain ideas and learn skills to help their children through the grieving process, as well as attaining additional adult support.

Groups are led by professionals skilled in working with individuals that are grieving. Mental health professionals are also available to address individual concerns.

The theme for the 2008 Day Camp is ‘Exploring the Life – Surviving the Jungle of Grief ’. Activities are based on the struggle each of us experience throughout our journey through grief as we explore the life cycle of plants.

This year’s theme book is ‘Jungle Journey’.

Join us for a day filled with activities designed to remember your family member or friend and help your family with the grieving process. For a sneak preview at this year’s activities please click the appropriate age group below:

Age Group 5-6

The 5-6 age group will acquaint themselves with others in their group, who are also experiencing a loss. They will learn about the stages of grief, that it is normal to experience grief feelings and ways to cope with these feelings.

Group members will read books which deal with loss and discuss their feelings regarding their loss. Participants will make a mask, decorate a canvas bag, make a grief survival kit and make a picture frame. Memory pillows will be made, using an article of clothing from their loved one and a discussion will follow as they remember fun times with that special person. Fun Zoo activities will include a trip to the petting zoo/butterfly pavilion and a train ride.

Group leaders have experience working with children of this age and our goal is to make the day a fun and meaningful experience.

Age Group 7-9

The beginning will include a time for introductions and telling about each child’s loved one that died, after which a reading of the ‘Jungle Journey’ book. We will discuss feelings and emotions and make “Feeling Stones” for each of the children to take home. Continuing with the feelings – we will make a “Jungle Drum” and teach other coping skills to deal with primary feelings and emotions surrounding grief. The group will also make a “Survival Kit” for being in the jungle of grief, which will be filled with numerous items, again to be used as coping skills to deal with primary feelings and emotions surrounding grief. Through out the day we will also be taking a train ride around the zoo. Time will be available for each child to address specific issues, as well as, listen to other children with similar stories of grief to create the insight that they are not alone on this journey to healing.

Age Group 10-12

Our group will be doing activities that focus both on the feelings and experiences of grieving as well as some coping skills.

- Reading "The Jungle Journey" and having participants talk about which animal from the story they identify with in their own grief experience.

- The group will talk about the feelings that are part of grieving, including anger. We will talk about ways to express our anger, and the kids will make a drum out of a tin can that can be used to release feelings of anger.

-We will make survival bags. Participants will be able to choose among a variety of things to make and put in their own survival bag that can help them cope or give them support as they grieve. We will talk about the many ways we can cope with our grief.

-Participants will have the opportunity to make a memory pillow, using material or pieces of clothing that can remind them of their loved one or friend.

-There will also be time for participants to go on a train ride through the zoo, and visit some of their favorite places in the zoo.

Teens

Our group will be doing activities that focus both on the feelings and experiences of grieving and learning various skills to help them cope through their grieving process.

-Reading "The Jungle Journey" and having participants talk about which animal from the story they identify with in their own grief experience.

-The group will talk about the feelings and emotions that are part of grieving and how they often mask those feelings. Participants will make their own grief mask and write emotions/feelings that they experience on the inside versus the beautiful face they show to others on the outside.

-Share songs that help them with their grief and create a special memory CD.

-We will make survival bags. Participants will decorate a bag for their own jungle ‘Survivors Kit’ and select among a variety of things to make and put in their own survival bag that can help them cope or give them support as they grieve. We will talk about the many ways we can cope with our grief.

-Participants will have the opportunity to make a memory pillow, using material or pieces of clothing that can remind them of their loved one or friend.

- There will also be time for participants to go on a train ride through the zoo, and visit some of their favorite places in the zoo.

Adults

The adult participants will have the opportunity to meet in a small group and tell their grief story. We will learn about grief in general, talk about thoughts, feelings and emotions that accompany grief for the adults and for the children as well.

The group will hear the Jungle Journey story and have an opportunity to talk about the story and how it relates to themselves or their children. We will talk about how to use story telling with children to express feelings that are hard to talk about.

The group will hear from the children's group facilitators what the children are doing and have an opportunity to ask the facilitators questions.

The group will learn about creative healing and create their own grief survival kit.