Painting . . . singing . . . sitting . . . talking . . . remembering . . . healing . . . and celebrating. On Saturday, May 2, a group of children who experienced the loss of a loved one did all of this and more at Camp Kate. Sponsored by Longleaf Hospice Foundation, Camp Kate permitted the youthful bearers of grief to spend the day with other children who share the loss of a parent, grandparent, other family member or close friend. Through small group activities involving music, art, and play, and sessions about loss, grief, pain, and feelings, these brave souls from 5 years to 13 bonded with their adult and high school/college-aged counselors, new friends, both two-footed and four-footed and hopefully came away with the understanding that they were not alone in their grief.

Camp Kate was held in the Clark’s Grove neighborhood and Montessori School of Covington. It was staffed with volunteers from Longleaf Hospice, members of Ebenezer United Methodist Church in Conyers, several college/high school students, and therapy dogs and their owners. Phil Stone of Longleaf Hospice along with its foundation’s board were strong supporters of the idea to provide support for the youth in families whose grief is often overlooked in the loss of a loved one. One of the camp counselors, Hannah Caruso, a junior at the University of Georgia is no stranger to grief. She lost her sister Kate, for whom Camp Kate was named, to cancer four years ago. Hannah was involved with the camp’s planning from the onset and opened the day with remarks to the entire group of children and volunteers.

Although this event was the first, Longleaf Hospice Foundation plans on hosting future camps, and possibly once more before the end of the year. It is open to all children ages 5 – 12 in the Rockdale and Newton County area. If you have a child or children who have experienced the death of a loved one, or if you are a counselor, youth leader, social worker or minister aware of a family who might benefit from this camp and would like more information, please contact Jane Caruso, bereavement coordinator – Longleaf Hospice at 404-374-2313.