Crafts that promote conversation about grief are among the activities planned for the annual Healing Hearts Kids Camp, a one-day grief recovery camp for kids.Losing a parent, sibling or grandparent is hard at any age, but the younger you are, the less likely it is that your peers will understand the feelings you’re experiencing. That’s why Hospice of Chattanooga organizes the annual Healing Hearts Kids Camp, a one-day grief recovery camp for kids ages 5-12. This year’s camp is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 15 at Christ United Methodist Church from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m.
The free program is open to any child who has experienced a significant death, and they are not required to have received services from Hospice of Chattanooga. Susan Latta, director of bereavement for Hospice of Chattanooga, said about 50 kids typically attend the annual camp, and most have lost a parent.
The deadline to register is Thursday, Sept. 13, and registration is required to plan for the free snacks, lunch, craft supplies and T-shirts provided to participants.
“It provides an opportunity to be with other kids who have had a significant death in their world,” Latta said. “All of a sudden there’s this sense of normalization that occurs.”
Therapy dogs, one of which is assigned to accompany each small group throughout the one-day Healing Hearts Kids Camp, is one of the most popular components of the annual program organized by Hospice of Chattanooga.Kids are separated into groups according to age, and each group is assigned a therapy dog to accompany them throughout the day. Activities are focused on grief and intended to promote conversation, said Latta. They include crafts, games, music with local drummer Kofi Mawuko and a puppet performance by Kids on the Block. Kids are asked to bring a silver-dollar sized photo of their loved one, which will be placed in a button they wear throughout the day, which Hospice staff and trained volunteers will use as a jumping off point to initiate conversation about their loved one.