Free camp for bereaved kids at LakeWenatchee

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7/28/2010 11:49:00 AM

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Photo submitted by Linda Kearny
Next month, the Good Grief Center of North Central Washington and the Moyer Fondation invite children struggling with the loss of a loved one to Camp Erin. The camp will host 30 campers at Lake Wenatchee for two nights and three days.

Free camp for bereaved kids at LakeWenatchee

Chelsea Gorrow
Staff Writer

Children struggling with the loss of someone close to them don't have to deal with their grief alone. Free of charge, the Good Grief Center of North Central Washington and the Moyer Foundation are hosting Camp Erin at Lake Wenatchee for the second year.

The three-day, two-night camp Sept. 10 through 12 is for kids between the ages of six and 17 and will provide grief education and emotional support while at the same time, hosting traditional and fun camp activities.

"The campers will get to sleep in cabins on the North Shore of Lake Wenatchee at the YMCA camp and I think cabins are the next best thing to sleeping outdoors," said Linda Kearny, Executive Director of the Good Grief Center. "We're wanting to serve 30 children and teens, with two big buddies per cabin, and are currently in the process of accepting applications."

Last year they hosted 20 kids on short notice after the Moyer Foundation, started by former Seattle Mariner Jamie Moyer, announced expansion of Camp Erin into other places, including Wenatchee, after receiving a grant from the New York Life Foundation in May 2009.

This year, with more time for planning, Kearny said it will be bigger and better.

"Last year was absolutely extraordinary and was beyond our wildest expectations. We felt we did a really good job," she said. "If we had a model of what to do step-by-step in our hands, I don't think we could have done any better. It was so much fun and every child had a great time."

This year, the camp will include swimming, archery, a balloon release for their lost loved ones, and other activities.

"We didn't really know what we were getting into last year and it went so good but it was a lot of hard work and we didn't know really how much hard work it would be but the children were great and got to share their stories of who they lost and bond with each other," she said. "When they come to camp, it's not awkward and they're not embarrassed by it, every child there has lost someone and it's a great way to start with bonding for these kids."

A memory board will also be assembled at the camp, of 4-by-6 photos of the person they lost which will be displayed all weekend. A frame will be given at the end of camp for each child to take their photo home.

According to the United States Census Bureau, more than 60,000 children in Washington State have suffered the loss of a close family member, while issued in a press release with the research suggesting if these kids do not have the proper support, they are more likely to face higher risks of emotional difficulties and substance abuse.

"My wife Karen and I are grateful to everyone who is getting involved to help support Camp Erin in their local communities and on a national level, bringing this much needed service to more children in more cities each year," said Jamie Moyer, Co-Founder of The Moyer Foundation through a Camp Erin Wenatchee Press Release.

To request an application for camp, Linda can be reached at 662-6069 or at www.goodgriefcenter.org. After the application has been mailed or e-mailed back, interviews will be held if the child is local, and if not, interviews can be held by e-mail or phone. Letters will then be sent out to those who have been accepted into the camp, as only 30 spots are available.

Chelsea Gorrow can be reached at 548-5286 or reporter@leavenworthecho.com.

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