07/15/2026
Camp Sunrise, a day camp for children who have experienced grief was led once again this year by Hospice of St. Mary's staff and volunteers. 14 campers between the ages of 6-14 gathered at Greenwell State Park at the end of June.
Through a partnership with Greenwell Foundation, campers were able to connect with nature; campers learned how to groom horses, led them thru an obstacle course, and even painted them! They were taught how to approach the horses safely, and in doing so learned about mindfulness and how to be aware of your body and emotions. Greenwell staff also took the campers kayaking, which was a first for many of our campers. Every afternoon the campers engaged in games, crafts, and activities that taught them more about grief and new ways to cope. Campers gained new language for their grief experience and were able to share stories of their special person with fellow campers, staff, and volunteers. Our 3 days ended with a beautiful butterfly release in honor of our loved ones that was attended by campers and their families.
Camp Sunrise is a special program that is open to all children in our community as a part of Hospice of St. Mary's Bereavement programs. This year's camp was made possible thru some generous donations from our community, and through the support of dedicated volunteers. Ongoing grief support is available for children and adults throughout the year.
One of the final camp activities each year is for everyone to make a poem together by finishing the sentence, "Hope is..." This year's poem ended with powerful words written by one of our older campers:
"Hope is courageous. The science of hope tells us that it is more than just a feeling; it is a powerful force that can shape our lives."
