A Bereavement Camp for Children

Near Missoula, Montana, there is a summer camp for children who have experienced a death in their family. The first session of Camp O-Ki-Suya (this Native American name means "to remember") was held in July, 1997. This program was designed to give support to children, and the activities promote fun and healing through creative expression and cooperative games. The children work at integrating their loss into their lives.

Fourteen kids ranging in age from eight to fourteen attended, and while there were the typical camp activities (canoeing, swimming, hiking, and games), there were also many opportunities for the kids to use expressive arts to tell stories about the people they knew (some of them parents and/or siblings) who had died. Whether it was around a campfire or the lodge fireplace, on a hike, or using craft materials, kids were encouraged to tell more and more of their stories. Precious photographs, wallets, jewelry, letters, and other things were proudly shared in a "memory circle." There was a "memory trail" where ribbons and drawings were placed on tree limbs and natural openings carved by wind and weather in tree stumps.

An important and moving outcome of the experience occurred when adult visitors came to camp. The kids invited visitors to see their special ways of honoring loved ones.

The camp's counselors volunteered their time and planners solicited donations making it possible to have scholarships available to anyone needing them. The staff received a brief training so that they could acknowledge, encourage and honor the camper's stories and feelings.

A follow-up revealed that the children seemed relieved, lighter in spirit, and were eager to return to camp next summer. Camp planners will host a reunion in early spring and want to include more middle and high school age kids in the 1998 Camp O-Ki-Suya session.

Whether it was around a campfire or the lodge fireplace, or on a hike, or using craft materials, kids were encouraged to tell more and more of their stories.

This program was designed to give support to children, and the activities promote fun and healing through creative expression and cooperative games.