Camp Monarch Helps Kids Make Sense of Their Grief

Angela Hospice’s devoted Grief Care team is preparing an adventure for some very special young people. Their Camp Monarch for grieving children ages 5-12 is taking on an exploration theme, and over the two-day camp held in July, grief counselors will lead children through activities and exercises to help them find healing and hope.

Children grieve differently than adults, and the grownups in their lives many find it confusing to know how to support them. Many times children’s grief is expressed through behavior or play. They may be upset and crying about their loss, then laughing and playing just moments later. Using a variety of therapeutic games and activities, Camp Monarch offers a safe space, where kids can feel all their feelings, find support from our grief care social workers, and still have fun in the process.

“Even in the middle of grief, there is still room to grow, to laugh, and to feel love,” said Grief Counselor Joyce Lee. “Camp Monarch is where brave hearts come together to heal.”

Coming together is an important part of the process too, as campers come to realize they’re not the only one who lost someone special—other kids are feeling the same things they are. Helping to normalize their experience supports children to feel less alone, more accepted, and more confident.

Camp Monarch is open to grieving children throughout the community free-of-charge, through a grant from the Helen L. Kay Charitable Trust.

CAMPERS WERE ASKED WHAT THEY LEARNED LAST YEAR AT CAMP MONARCH. HERE ARE SOME OF THEIR RESPONSES:

Register by July 5 at angelahospice.org/campmonarch