April 08, 2004
Camp Good Grief
Rick's House of Hope Offers Unique Summer Camp For Grieving Children and Adolescents
Davenport, IA - Children and adolescents experiencing grief are often unable to name or express their feelings in ways that can restore a healthy sense of identity and wholeness. Rick's House of Hope, a grief and trauma recovery center for children, will hold a special summer camp for those who have experienced the death of a loved one.
Camp Good Grief is a week-long day camp for children ages 5 and up. The camp will be held from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., the week of July 26, at Rick's House of Hope, 4867 Forest Grove Drive, Bettendorf. Campers will participate with trained volunteer mentors in activities designed to facilitate the reconciliation of loss and grief, reconnect them with positive memories of their loved one and experience the reassurance that they are not alone in their grief. Children will also participate in outdoor recreation, music and art therapies.
New this year is Camp Good Grief-XTE (Extended Teen Experience). This is a unique overnight experience for teenage campers, on Friday, July 30 and Saturday, Aug. 1, who are looking for more reflection and recreation time.
Camp Good Grief is not appropriate for children who have experienced a recent traumatic loss or those who are diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), bi-polar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or other mental illnesses. Free assessment for post-traumatic stress and referral services are available through Rick's House of Hope.
The cost for summer day camp and/or the extended teen experience is $20 per child. If teens want to register for both, the cost is $35. Rick's House of Hope will offer a discount to families interested in enrolling more than one child. For more information or to register, call Rick's House of Hope at 563-324-9580 or the Spiritual Care Department at Genesis Medical Center, 563-421-7970.
Rick's House of Hope - named in memory of the Reverend Rick Johnson, Founder of the Prairie and River Spiritual Resources - is a division of the Genesis Medical Center Spiritual Care Department.
