Hospice by the Sea, Inc. (HBTS) was awarded a $5,000 grant from the BRCH (Boca Raton Community Hospital) Foundation, Inc. to help support Camp Good Grief, a weekend overnight bereavement camp for children ages five to 15. HBTS, a not-for-profit, community-based provider of hospice, palliative care, caregiver support and home health services, offers the camp at no charge to all South Florida children who have experienced the loss of a loved one or close friend. Annually, 128 children from diverse backgrounds have the opportunity to participate in the program, which is held twice per year.
Camp Good Grief offers children a safe environment in which to understand and talk about the grieving process, share their feelings and connect with other grieving children. Under the gentle guidance of its clinical staff and trained volunteers, the camp program offers therapeutic activities, including art, music and drama, designed to help children heal and learn various ways to express and cope with their feelings. Campers also participate in recreational activities, such as sports, dancing, games, magic shows and swimming, that encourage them to simply have fun. Additional activities include journal writing and team-building sessions, as well as a memorial service and bonfire, where campers honor their departed loved ones.
The program relies heavily on the support of volunteers, including Hospice by the Sea staff and members of the community, with more than 150 staff volunteers and 300 community volunteers supporting its operations over the past five years. Hospice by the Sea will use the BRCH Foundation grant to help cover the cost of children attending the weekend program. In addition, funding will be used to establish an ongoing relationship with the BRCH Foundation, with the goals of promoting Camp Good Grief, identifying children who could benefit from its services, and reaching out to prospective clinical and non-clinical camp volunteers.
Children are sometimes called “the forgotten mourners” because parents are often unaware of the extent of their children’s grief, shield them from discussions and customs, or feel inadequate in trying to help them cope. Children left on their own to express grief may feel anxious, confused and alone, and can sometimes carry their unresolved grief into adulthood. Bereavement programs specifically designed for children offer an emotionally safe and supportive environment that facilitates the healing process and helps parents who may be struggling with their own grief.
As of August 2010, Boca Raton Community Hospital was renamed Boca Raton Regional Hospital. As a result, the BRCH Foundation changed its name to the BRRH Foundation. The Foundation’s Community Outreach Grant Program promotes philanthropy and the building of strong relationships that support the hospital’s mission of providing quality healthcare to the community.