Glossary
Grief camp
A camp, often free, where grieving children spend time with others who have lost a parent, sibling or caregiver.
A grief camp, or bereavement camp, is a camp program for children and teens who have had someone close to them die. Campers do ordinary camp activities, plus time to remember the person who died and talk with others who understand. The AAP (opens in a new tab) says children's bereavement support groups and camps, many offered free across the country, can help children talk about grief without worrying about upsetting family members who are also grieving, ease the isolation grieving children feel, and teach coping skills.
Examples:
- Comfort Zone Camp (opens in a new tab) runs free weekend camps for children 7 to 17 who have had a parent or sibling die, pairing each camper with a volunteer buddy;
- Experience Camps (opens in a new tab) offers no-cost camps for grieving children whose parent, sibling or primary caregiver died, mostly for grades 4 to 12;
- in the New York area, COPE runs Camp COPE, a free weekend camp for ages 7 to 17.
To find more by location, the National Alliance for Children's Grief (opens in a new tab) keeps a free directory of camps, centers and programs. Dates and eligibility change, so check each camp's site. See helping a child grieve a sibling and grief support resources.
What you can do today: look up one grief camp and its next registration date with your child.