Dear editor:
Realizing that a society can be judged by the way it provides for its children, a local organization is doing an excellent job of offering help and support to the most vulnerable kids in the area- those who have suffered a loss of a loved one. And for children, this loss doesn’t always mean the death of someone close to them- it could be the loss of a pet, having to move to a strange town, or going through divorce.
For the past 23 years, Hospice Care Options has helped children between the ages of six and fourteen to heal by getting them together once a year for the now well-known Camp Good Grief. Coordinators Brenda Knight and Tammie Malone have already done most of the work for the next camp, which begins on June 1st. They have gathered all the volunteers they need to have the camp operate smoothly, which will allow the specialists to pay close attention to the children.
There are approximately 20 volunteers. The children are organized in four groups, depending on their age.
The therapy, available to the kids during Camp Good Grief has five aspects, and different ones are used depending on the needs of each individual case.
These include art therapy, music therapy, writing therapy, pet therapy, group, and recreational games.
The camp last three days and during the last day, the parents or guardians of each child are invited to join a final ceremony, during which special paper fades away to symbolize the release of the grief from the children’s bodies and souls.
Children are considered resilient to the situations surrounding them and are therefore overlooked for offerings of support and encouragement. The goal of
Camp Good Grief is to allow the children to discover different outlets and resources from their feelings of frustration, sadness, anger, and guilt.
Knight and Malone are urging parents and guardians to pick up and submit the applications for a child in need as soon as possible. The deadline for applications is May 23rd. Since the camp provides lunches and snacks for the camp’s three-day duration, it would be helpful for the organizers to know as early as possible how many children are to be expected.
The funds for the camp are provided by the sponsor of Camp Good Grief-Hospice Care Options of Milledgeville. However, donations from the community are always welcomed and needed.
Camp Good Grief will be held at Northside Baptist Church on June 1st-June 3rd. The applications can be picked up at Hospice Care Options at 163
Roberson Mill Rd, near the Childcare Network Day Care Center. Parents can also call HCO at 1-800-726-5793 or at 478-453-8572.
Brenda Knight
Milledgeville