Calvary Hospital doesn’t just deal with those facing their final days.
It also remembers to deal those loved ones left behind, especially young sons and daughters, offering them hope and ways to handle their sense of loss.
From August 20-24 the hospital hosted them at Camp Compass, its 15th annual bereavement camp, .
The hospital broughtcamp broughtd 75 campers ages 6-17 this year and took place at Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn.
Forty four hospital employees served as counselors for the week-long camp.
Campers participated in various activities such as swimming, arts and crafts, sports and fishing.
Campers also enjoyed some special events which included visits from clowns from the Big Apple Circus, a basketball experience with the Harlem Wizards, Camp Olympics, and a balloon release on the last day to remember their lost loved ones.
The camp offered a safe, nurturing environment for children of diverse backgrounds to validate their feelings, offer hope and enjoy a week of fun.
All of the campers participate in Cavalry’s year-long bereavement programs and support groups.
The groups meet at the hospital’s locations in Morris Park and in Brooklyn and have helped hundreds of children with the grieving process.
All of the support groups are free and open to the community.
Supporters of the hospital’s children’s bereavement programs and Calvary’s Camp Compass include Newman’s Own Foundation, the Peter Jay Sharp Foundation, the van Ameringen Foundation, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Thomas & Agnes Carvel Foundation, Robert Mize and Isa White Trimble Foundation, and A Little Hope, Inc.
The programs are available to anyone who has lost a loved one, whether that person was a patient at Calvary, or someone fwhose death was attributed to illness, accident, or violence.
Kirsten Sanchez can be reach via e-mail at ksanchez@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 742-3394
