CAMP EVERGREEN SPONSORED BY HOSPICE OF WILKES
2/14/2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tammy G. Love
Director of Marketing & Medical Staff Development
Phone: (336) 651-8116
Last year 48 children attended this annual camp at beautiful Herring Ridge's Camp Harrison. The camp is a yearly one-day event for Wilkes County youth who have suffered the loss of someone important in their life. Divided into small groups according to their ages, children meet to verbally discuss death, grief and how to manage their ongoing emotions. There are also physical activities like rock climbing, ropes challenges and hiking to remind all that it is okay to laugh, play and have fun.
Grief is a normal reaction to loss and comes with many obstacles. School counselors, Hospice Staff and Herring Ridge instructors combine efforts to show the children that obstacles can be challenged and overcome, one step at a time.
During small group sessions, children are given the opportunity to preserve their memories and tackle their grief. They can make "memory boxes" as a special place to put items that evoke memories of their loved one. They also participate in Spin Art. This activity allows the campers to creatively express their feelings of the past, present and future using colors as expression.
During a "Time of Remembrance", children place special written memories and notes on a rainbow. Campers are reminded how memories are like a rainbow; neither can be touched, but they are still real and present.
This year camp will be held Friday, March 9th, a scheduled day off from school for local students. If you know of a child who is going through a time of grief and emotional loss, refer them to Camp Evergreen. If you are interested in more information on Camp Evergreen, contact your school counselor or call Hospice of Wilkes at 903-7700.
A special thanks to the individual "Sponsor a Child" donations we've received, the United Way and the support of the community, because of your generosity, we are able to offer the camp free to all participants. If you would like to sponsor a child, your tax-deductible donation may be made to Hospice of Wilkes designated for Camp Evergreen.
Hospice of Wilkes is a department of Wilkes Regional Medical Center and a United Way Agency.
