ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - Phoebe Health System brought back a kid’s camp today, April 26. It is the first time the hospital has hosted Camp Good Grief since before COVID-19.

After five years, Camp Good Grief made its way back to the Good Life City.

Kids ages five through 18 came to Albany State University’s West Campus for camp today. While it is certainly fun, this is not just any day camp. Camp Good Grief is designed to help kids who are experiencing a loss.

At camp, kids got to meet with counselors and participate in activities they may not even realize were helping them process their grief.

Volunteers came together to facilitate journaling, rock painting dance and even puppy play time.

Camp organizers like Kari Pryor said they hope Camp Good Grief starts the conversation about loss and grief.

“It’s just something a lot of people are scared to talk about, and we need to hold each other’s hands through it,” Pryor said.

Grief touches everyone, no matter what age. According to the National Alliance for Grief Counseling, one in every 11 children will lose a parent or sibling before they turn 18. People like Pryor and the rest of the Camp Good Grief volunteers are here to help.

Volunteers got to interact with the kids before programming started, spreading joy however they can.

One volunteer, Kayla Harrell said, “There’s so much fun energy, and you can just tell that the kids are just really excited.”

Another volunteer, Aimee Davenport, added, “[We’re] dancin’ and yellin’ and chantin’, and we’re just – We’re having a really good time with the children.”

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