Hospice accepting applications for annual overnight grief camp for youth

May 19, 2024 | 12:08 am

Updated May 18, 2024 | 10:44 pm

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The third annual Camp Erin — a grief camp for youth aged 6-17 — is returning this August after much success in the first two years. Applications are currently being accepted for the camp, with limited space remaining.

Camp Erin is one of the programs created by the Eluna Network, a nationwide bereavement program. The local camp is put on by Hospice Palliative Care of Western Kentucky.

Hospice Bereavement Coordinator Caleb Potter said the camp is for any child who has lost a loved one in their life. Though the camp is primarily aimed at those overcoming a recent experience, Potter said it is open to all.

The camp runs from August 2-4, and space is limited. Families interested in signing their child up can find more information here.

The 3-day camp is free to attend. The camp will again be held at the Gasper River Catholic Youth Camp & Retreat Center in Bowling Green.

“The idea is really just to give them an opportunity to be around other kids that are trying to navigate the loss of a loved one, all the adjustments that come along with that, and the grief they’re facing,” Potter said.

Potter said allowing children to express the emotions they face with grief is crucial. When children are younger, Potter noted, they are not as prone to finding proper coping mechanisms when faced with grief.

“We see this as a correlation with the addiction epidemic that we’re seeing,” Potter said. “With so many of the people that we have counseled in the addiction community, they point to the death of a loved one or the removal of a loved one from their life as their turning point.”

May 19, 2024 | 12:08 am

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