When a child loses someone they love, grief can feel isolating. For many children, it can be difficult to find others who understand what they are experiencing. Camp Erin® King County helps change that.
Supported by Providence at Home with Compassus, Camp Erin is a free weekend bereavement camp for children and teens ages 8-18 who have experienced the death of a family member, friend or significant person in their lives. Through a blend of traditional camp activities, grief education and peer support, Camp Erin creates a safe space where young people can honor their loved ones, build coping skills and connect with others navigating a similar journey.
This year, nearly 90 campers participated in Camp Erin King County, supported by more than 70 volunteers, including Providence at Home with Compassus teammates, community partners and individuals whose own grief experiences inspired them to give back.
For many volunteers, the mission is deeply personal. Some have experienced the loss of a loved one themselves, while others once attended Camp Erin as campers and now return to help the next generation of grieving children feel seen, supported and understood.
A cornerstone of the Camp Erin experience is helping children discover they are not alone. Surrounded by peers who have also experienced the loss of a loved one, campers find connection, understanding and support in a safe environment where they can share their stories, honor their loved ones and learn healthy ways to navigate grief together.
One caregiver shared, “The boys had a great time. They have proudly shared their crafts with many visitors who have been over to the house since then. They both loved the therapy dogs and had a memorable time.”
Held in a traditional camp setting, Camp Erin combines fun, friendship and healing. Throughout the three-day experience, campers participate in activities designed to foster connection and self-expression while creating opportunities to process grief in healthy ways.
Children spend time enjoying camp activities, staying in cabins with peers their age and participating in facilitated grief support sessions led by trained professionals and volunteers. Age-based groups help ensure campers receive support that is appropriate for their stage of development while allowing them to build meaningful relationships with others who share similar experiences.
One of the camp’s most meaningful traditions is the luminary ceremony. During this special remembrance event, campers decorate illuminated stars in honor of the loved ones they have lost. As the stars glow throughout the evening, children have an opportunity to reflect, remember and celebrate the lives of those who continue to hold a special place in their hearts.
The camp experience also includes comfort items that children can take home, including handmade quilts donated by community organizations and volunteers. These keepsakes serve as tangible reminders that support and comfort continue long after the weekend ends.
The expertise and dedication of Providence at Home with Compassus teammates help make programs like Camp Erin possible. Team members work alongside community volunteers, donors and grief support professionals to create an environment where children feel safe sharing their stories and learning tools to navigate their grief journey.
“Grief does not end when hospice care ends, and for children it can feel especially isolating,” said Palliative Care Area Executive of Clinical Operations, Sarah Jackson. “Supporting families through loss is an important part of our mission, and programs like Camp Erin extend that care by creating space for kids to connect, be understood and carry their person forward in a healthy way. As both a leader in this work and someone with personal experience with grief, I’ve seen how important it is that no one has to navigate that alone.”
Camp Erin King County is made possible through the generosity of community supporters and funding partners, including the Compassus Living Foundation and Providence at Home Hospice of Seattle Foundation. Their support helps ensure families can participate at no cost, removing barriers and making grief support accessible to children who need it most.
The camp is part of Eluna’s national Camp Erin network, which provides grief support programs for children and teens across the country.
As families continue navigating life after loss, Camp Erin offers something many grieving children need most: a place where they can laugh, remember, heal and discover they are not alone.
To learn more about the Compassus Living Foundation and its commitment to supporting patients and families beyond hospice care, https://compassuslivingfoundation.org/. To learn more about Providence at Home Hospice of Seattle Foundation and its impact in local communities, visit https://foundation.providence.org/wa/hospiceseattle.
