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Camp Healing Tree 2009

A special weekend camp for grieving children and teens ages 7 to 17

Do you know a young person who would benefit from a weekend of grief support, encouragement and enjoyable activities? Camp Healing Tree exists to provide an opportunity for young people to share feelings of loss with other campers and caring adult volunteers and to learn that these feelings are normal.

Camp Healing Tree, established in 1995, is a program provided by several local hospice agencies. Grief and bereavement specialists from each of the participating hospices direct and supervise the camp. The camp utilizes over 130 screened and trained volunteers to provide a safe environment where participants may speak openly about their grief. Campers will be matched with an adult, trained buddy who will stay with them during the weekend for support and supervision. The camp is designed as a supportive environment in which to gently teach coping skills and build self-esteem and trust. Although the camp focuses on grief, there are many enjoyable and fun activities for the campers, such as swimming, arts and crafts, games, campfire, sing-a-longs and entertaining shows. While the camp environment is rustic, the cabins are modern and air-conditioned. A registered nurse will be at the camp at all times.

Camp Healing Tree, located on the west side of Indianapolis at Jameson Camp, Inc., begins at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and concludes with a Memorial Service for the camp participants and their families at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday. There is no charge to attend Camp Healing Tree. However, a refundable registration deposit of $25 per camper/$50 maximum per family is required and is returned upon check-in. If this fee is a hardship, please contact a sponsoring hospice or call the camp phone number listed below.

Due to limited availability, only first-time campers will be accepted this year. Additional bereavement support services for grieving families are available through Brooke’s Place (www.brookesplace.org or 317-705-9650).

For more information, or to register a young person for Camp Healing Tree, call 317-388-CAMP (388-2267) or visit www.camphealingtree.org beginning May 1, 2009. Please call soon, as space is limited to the first 70 campers.

Camp Healing Tree is sponsored by: Americare Hospice, The Ruth Lilly Hospice of Clarian, St. Francis Hospice and VistaCare.