Hospice of Union County

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Camp Whittle

Children grieve differently than adults do. They process information differently and based on their age and developmental level may feel the loss and continue to grieve in ways that the adults in their world may not even perceive as grieving.

Camp Whittle, as the name implies, focuses on helping children to whittle away their grief. Not to resolve it in a single day – but on that single day to gather the tools that will help them grieve not only this loss, but future ones, as well. To find ways of expressing their grief in healthy ways and to share their feelings in ways that others will understand that not only are they grieving, but how that hurt effects their world.

The activities at Camp Whittle are organized by age groups, so that the methods of expression in differing age brackets don’t ‘get in the way’. Teenagers find it easier to talk to other teenagers rather than a group of six-year olds, for instance – and vice versa.

There is also a session at the end of the day for the parents, so that the days’ activities can be reviewed and discussed. A parent may find it surprising to know that some pattern of behavior that they have been seeing is actually related to the grief that their child is feeling. It also gives the parents an opportunity to ask questions regarding either the day’s activities or a specific question related to their child or children.

If you have any questions about Camp Whittle or our bereavement support for children, please feel free to contact Pamela Collins at 704-292-2105.