On the second weekend of June, Most cancersCare hosted the ninth annual Therapeutic Hearts Household Bereavement Camp, a free retreat for households with youngsters dealing with the lack of a cherished one to most cancers. Twenty-four households spent the weekend at Malibu Dude Ranch in Milford, PA at a tree-themed retreat, the place they swam, rode horses and processed their therapeutic journey.
“Annually on the camp we embrace the theme of hope and resilience,” shares Kathy Nugent, LCSW, Most cancersCare Director of Regional Applications. “Households are inspired to share reminiscences of the cherished one who has died and on the similar time discover new that means of their lives. Making new pals and connections with others is a part of their journey.”
Campers participated in actions together with swimming, archery, basketball, mini golf, fishing, row boats, paddle boats and a hayride by way of the attractive countryside. Arts and crafts tasks, like coloring in mandalas and adorning flowerpots stuffed with forget-me-nots, gave households an area to speak about their family members. Within the night, a campfire sing-along and magic present offered alternatives for adults, teenagers and youngsters to bond with one another.
Together with enjoyable out of doors actions, the camp additionally gives age-appropriate therapeutic grief actions. Adults, teenagers and youngsters have been separated to observe mindfulness workout routines. Households have been additionally invited to share pictures and reminiscences of their family members within the camp’s Tribute Room which, by the shut of the camp on Sunday night, was stuffed with a poignant assortment of essays and pictures celebrating the lives of relations who had handed away.
The camp encourages youngsters and teenagers to specific their feelings in inventive, collective methods. The kids at this yr’s camp showcased their creativity by composing and performing a music titled “Hope Grows” with the assistance of Meaghan Farrell and Andy McNamara, two well-known singer/songwriters. “I imagine music can heal folks and convey them collectively in a powerful manner,” stated Meaghan, who has volunteered on the camp for 4 years.
The adults used this time to take part in assist teams geared towards their conditions. Every group addressed the priority of elevating youngsters in a bereaved dwelling.
On Saturday, campers gathered for a memorial to their family members. They lit candles, recited poems, sang songs and heard the names of their family members learn aloud. Because the group gathered collectively outdoors, it started to evenly rain. At that second, Karina, age 9, stated, “Oh, these should be tears from our households in heaven. However they’re pleased tears as a result of it’s a solar bathe.”
Because the households ready to depart on Sunday morning, the main focus of the camp shifted in direction of methods to take this area of resilience and belonging into on a regular basis life. Adults and teenagers attended a resilience panel, that includes talks by Most cancersCare shoppers who skilled the lack of a mum or dad, a partner or a baby, and located methods to manage over time.
The weekend concluded with a closing ceremony. Every household was gifted a wood wall plaque with the quote: “Household: Like branches on a tree, all of us develop in several instructions however our roots stay the identical,” to commemorate their time collectively.
Shortly after the camp got here to a detailed, one mum or dad shared: “I am unable to even start to inform you how grateful my youngsters and I are for this previous weekend. Seeing them join with different youngsters which might be similar to them is the best reward I may get proper now. Every part was good this weekend. I am unable to wait till subsequent yr!” One other mum or dad shared: “Thanks for displaying my youngsters that it’s okay to speak about our cherished one and be pleased once more.”
Like all of Most cancersCare’s providers, the Therapeutic Hearts Household Bereavement Camp is made obtainable to households fully freed from cost. That’s why we’d like your assist. Please assist us proceed to supply this distinctive alternative to all who wish to attend by making a contribution. You can too contact Kathy Nugent at 201-301-6809 or knugent@cancercare.org must you want to make a charitable contribution.
If you want to attend the 2018 Therapeutic Hearts Household Bereavement Camp, please contact Claire Grainger at 201-301-6811 or cgrainger@cancercare.org.