There is a familiar saying that tells us “wisdom comes with age,” but recently I was reminded that we can learn valuable lessons from young children – even when it comes to grieving. Each summer Niagara Hospice holds its Camp Hope, a therapeutic weekend camp for children who are grieving, at Camp Kenan in Barker, NY.

Almost twenty children from throughout Western New York attended this past August; all had lost a loved one and Camp Hope provided an opportunity for them to learn how to express their grief in safe and healthy ways.
Campers learned how to utilize tools to cope such as yoga, karate, having a positive can-do attitude, and accepting the support of others. Through a variety of activities, they learned that even when you are afraid to do something, you can approach it in small steps, one step at a time, and then you can reach your goal. For example, they had the opportunity to participate in a rock wall-climbing exercise. Let me tell you, this is a high wall! Of course, all safety measures were implemented, but still, it’s a high wall! One step at a time, they climbed up, always focusing on moving upward, overcoming their fears with each step.
It was amazing to watch these children overcome their fears and insecurities as they attempted this feat. What was more amazing was how they related this exercise to their grief. Many talked about how they were so afraid when their loved one died, and how it felt like trying to take that first step on the wall. They related how if they focused on just one day, and told themselves they could “do it,” it was much like taking each step on the wall. When a child couldn’t make it to the top of the wall, they all expressed support for each other and recognized that it’s okay if you don’t make it to the top on the first try; what is important is that you tried!
As takes place every year at Camp Hope, the volunteers and staff who participate leave the rustic campground having learned so many lessons. The goal is for the adults to teach the children, but everyone learns. The children teach the adults all about resiliency, about enjoying being in the moment, about grieving - yet still enjoying life’s fun times. The children know the incredible value of each day, and their heartwarming smiles remind us to recognize the same. I suppose many of us can take a lesson from these amazing young children and smile, appreciate the clouds in the sky, make a new friend even when our heart’s may be heavy, and find something to enjoy every day!

Niagara Hospice will hold its 12th Camp Hope for grieving children June 29–July 1 at the YMCA’s Camp Kenan in Barker. Offered to children throughout Western New York who have lost a loved one through death - whether or not they ever received hospice care - the camp is FREE for children age 7 to 13. Call the Niagara Hospice outreach department at (716) 280-0777 for more information or visit www.NiagaraHospice.org for application materials.