Center for Hospice Care's Joel and Elizabeth Welch Life Transition Center recently hosted the 31st edition of Camp Evergreen at Camp Alexander Mack in Milford, IN. This year's day-long camp experience included 16 campers aided by 30 volunteers and five Center for Hospice Care counselors.
Camp Evergreen is a day grief camp in early summer for youth and teens ages 10 – 17 (18 if still in high school) and a Saturday family workshop for youth ages 6-12 and parents/guardians in the fall. Those aged 10 – 12 can choose which camp they want to attend. It is for those that have experienced the death of a significant person in their life. Like all grief services provided by the Life Transition Center, Camp Evergreen is free of charge to anybody within our nine-county service area.
Camp Evergreen attendees had the opportunity to take part in typical summer camp activities such as swimming, canoeing, fishing and archery. They also learned different ways to cope with feelings of grief. Being around peers also dealing with grief allows them to see that they are not alone. The camp ends with a ritual of remembrance where each camper hangs the name of their loved one on an evergreen tree.
One teen camper wasn't sure about attending Camp Evergreen. The Life Transition Center staff talked with the teen's mother several times and each time the daughter was feeling more comfortable with the idea of attending. One week before camp, they received confirmation that she would attend. Unfortunately, due to some unforeseen circumstances, it became unclear if she would be able to attend. Arrangements were made and she did attend camp. Several times throughout the day, she thanked staff members for convincing her that camp would be a helpful experience. She shared on her evaluation how supportive everyone was and that she liked the fact that she didn't know anyone going in as it provided a clean slate. Just one of many stories pointing to the impact of Camp Evergreen!
We thank the Linda Lloyd Mission Endowment for Camp Evergreen for their support of Camp Evergreen. Their generosity helped establish the endowment that ensures its existence in perpetuity.
This year's family workshop will be held on Saturday, October 5. If you know someone who could benefit from this experience, contact our Life Transition Center at 574.255.1064 or evergreen@cfhcare.org.
