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WHO CAN ATTEND?
The camp is open to anyone ages 6 to 17 who has experienced the death of a loved one.
WHEN IS IT?
Camp Erin is an annual event. This year’s camp will be held August 14-16, 2009 at Cascade Lake 4H Camp in Donnelly.
WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE OFFERED?
We offer a variety of activities that support campers while they are going through the grieving process. Camp Erin is filled with grief workshops and recreation, which vary from year to year:
- Sharing / Story telling
- Camp fires
- Swimming
- Kayaking
- Arts & Crafts
- Nature walks
- Love lights
- Music therapy
- Challenge course
- Initiative games
- Creative writing
- Skits
- Horses
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Camp Erin is free to all campers. We believe that this is a program that may affect us all – our children, our families and our community. Through an initial grant provided by The Moyer Foundation and through the generous support of local businesses, community organizations and volunteers, we are able to provide this service at no cost to the family.
WHO PROVIDES BEREAVEMENT CARE?
The camp is staffed by bereavement counselors from Life’s Doors Hospice as well as community volunteers who are trained by hospice employees.
HOW DOES A GRIEVING CHILD BENEFIT
FROM ATTENDING CAMP ERIN?
There is no road map or time table for grief. It is a life-long journey that can take many years to process. Therefore, one of the most important gifts we can give our children is the coping skills that help facilitate the normalization of loss…and the grief that follows it. The goal of Camp Erin is to help normalize the grief process for all campers.
With education and understanding, we can help children start to build a framework to assist them in making sense of their experience. Children will learn to address their feelings and to honor and celebrate their loved ones; thus, they begin to heal. We can build the foundation for healthy grief in this and the other losses they will experience throughout their lives. This foundation will last a lifetime. Loss affects us all, but with special care, children have the ability to overcome loss, move forward in their lives and successfully regain their childhood.
HOW DO CHILDREN GRIEVE?
Grief is a healthy and fitting response to a loss. The camp is designed to help children work through their grief and learn how to cope with loss. We will provide a safe method and place where children can grieve with others who have similar emotional needs. As adults, we seek people, books, counseling or other areas of support in our grieving. Children require physical activity as well as emotional outlets, coping skills and community-building to grieve in a healthy way.
WHAT IF THE LOSS HAPPENED A
LONG TIME AGO?
Regardless of when a loss has occurred, children tend to revisit the grief experience at various points in time: at each developmental stage and when there are important anniversaries or special occasions. Children grieve and re-grieve. Therefore, Camp Erin is open to anyone ages 6 to 17 who has ever lost a loved one.
HOW DO I REGISTER MY CHILD FOR CAMP?
Potential campers will be required to fill out an application form containing personal, bereavement and medical information. Because we want to ensure the best possible experience for every Camp Erin participant, each application will be reviewed in detail and may include an interview before the application process is complete. When we understand your child’s particular situation, we are better able to address his/her needs at camp. Please contact the Camp Director to request an application form.
HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?
Camp Erin would not be possible without the extraordinary contribution of our volunteers. Each year we need volunteers to serve as Cabin Big Buddies, lead arts & crafts workshops, supervise recreational activity, and to be committee members who help plan the camp. We will provide all volunteers with specialized training on topics such as loss and change, characteristics of children’s grief, and effective communication with children. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the Camp Director.
HOW DO I MAKE A CONTRIBUTION
TO CAMP?
We draw financial support from diverse sources sharing a common interest in providing support for the children of Idaho. Your individual contribution will be most welcome. Camp Erin is operated by Life’s DoorWays, Inc., an affiliate of Life’s Doors Hospice. Life’s DoorWays is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service code and, as such, can accept tax-deductible donations. If you
would like to send a child to camp,
please refer to our donations page
for more information or call the Camp Director.
HISTORY OF CAMP ERIN
Camp Erin is named in memory of Erin Metcalf, a young woman who developed liver cancer at the age of 15. Karen and Jamie Moyer met Erin during Spring Training in 1998, and they developed a special friendship with Erin and her family. In June of 2000, when Erin died at the age of 17, the Moyers wished to honor Erin’s memory and her caring spirit. Acknowledging Erin’s love of children and her desire to help others, the Moyers felt that a grief camp for children would be an appropriate tribute.
The Moyer Foundation was established in July, 2000 by Major League All-Star Pitcher, Jamie Moyer, and his wife, Karen.. The
Moyer Foundationfunds organizations that help children in severe distress - children with life threatening illnesses or physical limitations, children who are coping with the loss of a loved one, children who are victims of abuse or neglect. They have supported over 100 non-profit organizations that are committed to helping children in physical, emotional or financial distress.
CONTACT US!
P.O. Box 5754
420 South Orchard
Boise, ID 83705
Telephone: 208-275-0000
Fax: 208-344-6590 |
