Registration for Camp Dragonfly is now open. Camp Dragonfly is a weekend retreat, led by professional clinicians and trained staff, for children ages 8-12 who have suffered the death of a loved one. All activities at Camp Dragonfly are designed to help children heal and live successfully after loss. During the weekend, campers have the opportunity to participate in art activities, games, nature hikes, discussions, and a campfire with s’mores.
“Some people have the impression that going to grief camp ‘only brings up sad thoughts’,” said Camp Director, Jolene Senek, LBSW, CT, GC-C. “While it may bring up a few tears, attending camp can actually give kids their voice back and help them discover that they are not alone in their grief. Campers learn ways to process feelings and treasure memories. Camp is not about forgetting, it is about healing. It’s amazing that kids can be serious and very focused while working on remembering exercises, and then be ready to play in an instant as activities shift.”
Children grieve differently than adults. Some children have behavioral problems, some struggle with schoolwork, some become argumentative or fearful, some hesitate to be away from a parent, and many don’t like to be alone. Children dealing with grief often feel isolated as well as feeling that no one understands. One of the goals of Camp Dragonfly is to give the campers a chance to be with others who can relate to their feelings of grief and sadness and to help them realize that they are not alone. The campers often report feeling better after attending camp.
“My child very much enjoyed camp,” said a parent whose daughter attended an earlier version of camp. “She has always felt different from other children and camp seemed to make her feel like she belonged. She even wanted to go to summer camp when she thought it was a week-long Camp Dragonfly! The grief counselor I talked to was awesome! She was very honest and straightforward with me. She even asked how I was handling everything.”
Parents participate in a mini-camp designed to not only provide them with resources, but insight as to how children grieve. “Our hope is to equip them as a family unit to cope with their loss in a way that allows them to support each other,” says Senek.
The fall session of Camp Dragonfly is scheduled for October 9-11 at All Saints Camp on Lake Texoma, 418 Stanton Way, in Pottsboro, Texas. If you know a child who might benefit from participating, contact Jolene Senek at (903) 868-9315 or jolene.senek@homehospice.org. You can also download the application and learn more about this camp at http://www.HomeHospice.org/.
The application deadline for the October session is September 11, 2015.
Home Hospice of Grayson, Cooke and Fannin Counties is a 501(c)(3) local community-based organization founded in 1982. Our mission is to provide compassionate, quality care, emotional support and education to our patients, their caregivers and the community. We value those we serve as they are our neighbors, our friends and our families.