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 themselves and 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 2010 Day Camp is ‘Exploring the Circle of Life – The Life Cycle of Butterflies’. Activities are based on the struggle each of us experience throughout our journey through grief as we explore the the life cycle of butterflies and the similar struggles they endure.

Age Group 5-6

The morning will begin with introductions; as each youth shares information about their loved one who has died they will realize that every one in the group is experiencing a loss.

Throughout the day, books will be read to introduce youth to the cycle of life and the many feelings involved in the grief process.

Group members will make projects to help preserve their memories, such as picture frames and memory pillows made from their loved one's article of clothing.

Discussions of feelings and memories will also be part of the day. Fun zoo activities will include pony rides and train rides. The 5-6 age group will have a fun and meaningful day.

Age Group 7-9

The morning will begin with introductions and story time of the Butterfly Story: sharing of each child's personal story of the death of their loved one. We will discuss feelings and emotions and make “Feeling Stones” for each of the children to take home. We will continue with the feelings and make “Feeling Faces” of the four primary emotions: happy, sad, angry, and confused.

As we continue with putting words to feelings, we will learn the cycle of life through the metamorphosis of butterflies and how it relates to the similarities of a child’s grieving process. Numerous activities focusing on memories and coping skills dealing with feelings, all relating to the butterfly theme.

Children will have the opportunity to make a memory pillow out of fabric (actually out of an article of clothing that belonged to their loved one) that can remind them of their loved one.

Other special activities will be explored to continue learning special skills to deal with grief. Throughout the day, we will also take a train ride as we explore 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 develop 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 a story of the butterfly lifecycle and having participants talk about what they identify in the story that is similar or different to 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 decorate a bag using a hammer as an example of a healthy way to release feelings of anger.

The kids will share memories and stories about their loved one and make a personalized photo frame.

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.

The transformation of a butterfly truly exemplifies the grief journey. Part of the grief process involves learning to live again in a life forever changed by the death of a loved one. Drawing on the butterfly’s symbolism, teen participants will focus on the transformational process following their loss and how that loss has forever changed their future.

Understanding the grief response and discovering helpful resources to cope with the loss is vital to the healing process. Activities within the teen group will be focused on identifying people and places where teens can receive ongoing grief support, including the creation of a “care plan” highlighting healthy coping activities, people who are healthy to be around, and different places where they can receive ongoing support.

The teen group will also participate in hands-on projects, such as making a memory pillow from fabric or clothing items that remind them of their loved one, and throughout the day, time will be available to address specific concerns and needs, as well as interact with peers dealing with similar grief experiences.

Adults

The adults will meet in a group facilitated by a trained professional. The adult participants will have the opportunity to meet in a small group and share their grief story with others experiencing similar losses. Grief, in general, will be discussed and we will look at how thoughts, feelings and emotions affect the grieving process for adults and children.

The group will hear a story that is also shared with their children, and the adults will have an opportunity to talk about how the story relates to themselves and their children‘s experiences in the grieving process.

Facilitators from the children's groups will stop in and share about the children’s activities. Adult participants will have an opportunity to ask the trained children’s facilitators questions at this time.

The adult group will conclude their day by learning about creative self-care, will assemble a “grief survival pack” and will share in a memorial closing activity with their children.