Registration Is Now Open for Ohio’s Hospice Grief Camp for Children
Registration is now open for Ohio’s Hospice Camp HOCO, a four-day camp for children, ages 6-12, who have experienced the loss of a loved one. The 27th annual kids’ grief camp will be held June 25-28, 202, at St. Peter and Paul Retreat Center (2734 Seminary Rd. SE, Newark, OH 43056). The camp meets daily from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.
Camp activities include arts and crafts, hiking and music. In addition to traditional camp activities, the Ohio’s Hospice Pathways of HopeSM bereavement counseling staff provide grief support activities so children can learn how to manage their grief.
“Camp HOCO provides children with the opportunity to see that they are not alone.” said Maria Johnson, manager of Patient and Family Support Services at Ohio’s Hospice. “At Camp HOCO, grieving children learn how to express their emotions, recognize grief, and ask for help.”
The impact of Camp HOCO extends far beyond the four days spent at the retreat center. Children leave the camp with newfound friendships, a sense of belonging, and the knowledge that they are not alone in their grief. They carry with them the tools and resources to continue their healing journey, knowing that they have a supportive community to turn to whenever they need it.
The camp is open to the community and is available to campers at no cost thanks to generous support from the community.
“Because of the community’s support of our mission, we are able to offer grief support to all members of the community, regardless of whether a loved one has received services from Ohio’s Hospice. We are honored and privileged to offer the 27th edition of Camp HOCO to grieving children,” said Johnson.
For more information or to request a registration packet for Camp HOCO, please contact Maria Johnson at MJohnson@OhiosHospice.org or 740.788.1474.
Advance registration is required by June 17, 2024.
