Camp Agape Bereavement Camp for Children

Description

Camp Agape is a grief support program that supports children and families who are grieving the death of a loved one. Each year, Camp Agape assists children and families who are dealing with the death of a parent or other significant familial figure from tragedies such as homicide, suicide, illness, military combat, and COVID-19. Camp Agape provides a summer camp, family camp, and after school program.

The trained staff and counselors are committed to sharing the belief that there is Hope beyond despair and will provide a safe and nurturing environment for the children to heal from the pain of grief. We typically have 4 groups separated into boy/girl groups by age where each camper is paired with a Buddy who will mentor the camper throughout the entire camp program.

A child’s unresolved grief results in mental health problems that increase government costs (conservatively estimated at $250,000 over the course of a lifetime, per the National Alliance for Grieving Children research) for social and criminal justice programs. Children who have experienced the death of a parent are more likely to suffer depression, have substance abuse issues or commit violent crimes. Camp Agape helps children address their grief by learning positive and age appropriate coping skills.

We work to make children’s lives easier and equip their families with the tools to help the entire family through the pain, anguish, and ambiguity of the trauma that is grief due to the loss of a loved one.