ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - Children dealing with the loss of a loved one often struggle to understand what they are feeling and how to express their emotions. At the Wilson Hospice House, Phoebe Health System is working to change that through a program designed for them.

Camp Good Grief is a camp designed to help children talk about and process their feelings when dealing with the loss of those close to them.

“It can be difficult for children of any age to really express their emotions and be able to kind of understand what they’re going through,” said John Lee, a bereavement counseling coordinator. “So we hope that this camp helps those children that are, that have those needs, be able to learn those skills, and that they can learn to express these things openly and gain support from that.”

Creating a safe space for healing

Camp Good Grief includes games, dancing, rock painting and visits from local therapy dogs, creating a comforting environment where campers can talk about what they are going through in a space where they feel safe.

Campers said they are already feeling better.

“It makes me feel more relieved. And I know that he’s watching over me and he’s protecting me every step of the way,” a camper said.

Another camper said the camp is helping with anger problems.

“It’s just distracting me from what happened. It can help with that trauma of my people dying. It’s really helping me. It’s really helping me. And I’m just so thankful to have me here,” the camper said.

Lee said it brings him joy knowing he can help bring relief to the campers and their families.

“Oh, it’s fantastic working with children of all ages that are dealing with issues of grief. It’s much needed for those children, and it’s just a blessing to be able to see them connect with their peers and with their family members and staff. That and volunteers that love to provide that help,” Lee said.

The goal with Camp Good Grief is that the kids take what they learned home with them so they can continue to process their grief in healthy ways.

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