Retreat Helps Children Cope with Any Loss

Children between the ages of 7 and 12 who’ve suffered any kind of loss are being urged to attend the free Helping Hands Retreat at Camp Penuel in Eldred on Aug. 13-15.

To enable a child to attend the camp, call Bradford Regional Medical Center’s (BRMC’s) McKean County VNA & Hospice office at 814-362-7466 by Aug. 9.

“If you know of a child who has experienced the loss of someone close to them, or any other loss that is affecting them, encourage their family to call the VNA,” said Martha Dibble, RN-C, hospice coordinator for VNA & Hospice.

“We can accommodate 20 to 25 children at the sixth annual camp that’s filled with fun and meaningful activities,” said Mrs. Dibble.

Registration is open to all children, not just those who live in McKean County.

Also, “Children who’ve attended before are welcome to come again,” Mrs. Dibble said. Those who return will find new activities have been added.

The camp is staffed by full-time VNA staff, a registered nurse, a social worker, a lay minister and multiple hospice volunteers.

“This camp is geared for children who’ve experienced any kind of a loss of a loved one, pet or friend through separation, divorce or death in their young lives,” Mrs. Dibble explained. The camp offers an opportunity for children to interact with peers, helping them to know they are not alone in their grief. It also provides friendship, counseling and learning about the normalcy of grief, she said.

There will be a variety of fun and therapeutic games, craft activities, fishing, swimming that is supervised by a certified lifeguard and other staff members, a scavenger hunt, a bonfire and more.

Although the children may be somewhat reserved or quiet when first arriving, “They begin to open up. They feel safe to express their feelings because they are reluctant to do so when at home for fear of upsetting someone,” Mrs. Dibble said.

As time progresses at the camp, “You begin to see a lot of healing. During the second day you can tell the children begin to trust us and are able to relate to the other children.”

In the evening of the second day, a memorial service and bonfire will be held. “This gives them a chance to remember their loved ones and say goodbye to get some closure. The children also write a letter to their loved one that is burned in the bonfire. The smoke from the fire symbolizes the children’s messages are going to their loved ones,” she said.

To attend the camp, children only need to bring a sleeping bag, pillow, clothes for the weekend and a bathroom bag. “If anyone forgets something, though, we’ll have extras to supply the children,” she noted.

Gifts to the Melissa A. Price McKean County VNA Children’s Bereavement Camp Named Fund are used to support the Helping Hands Retreat. To give to the Fund or others, contact Bradford Hospital Foundation at 20 School St., Bradford, PA, 16701, call 814-362-3200 or go online at www.brmc.com.

Martha Dibble and Stacy Williams will be on an upcoming LiveLine to talk about the retreat.