Grief Camps Aid Children Amid Limited Support

Grief among children is widespread but often overlooked, with statistics showing one in ten children in Georgia experiencing the loss of a close family member and many teachers feeling unprepared to support them. Specialized camps and centers, including Camp Erin Denver, Camp Memiki in Indiana, Camp Hope in Sonoma County, and the McClean Fletcher Center in Mississippi, provide vital peer support, therapeutic activities, and expressive spaces for grieving children. These programs help children build resilience and address the mental health risks of unaddressed grief—such as substance abuse and involvement in the juvenile justice system—by offering resources that go beyond traditional therapy. Children benefit from connecting with peers who share similar experiences, emphasizing the need for accessible group-based support. Despite their benefits, access to such programs remains limited in many areas. The situation highlights the importance of expanded community resources and increased training for educators to better support grieving children.