Camp Safe Haven helps children cope with loss

Haven Hospice’s Healing Hearts program hosted eight children at Camp Safe Haven on July 17 at First Baptist Church in Williston. The day camp, designed for children ages 6 to 12 who have experienced the loss of a loved one, provides an opportunity to have fun with their peers as well as sharing experiences. 

“Camp Safe Haven is designed to educate, encourage and empower young people to experience their grief in a healthy and safe environment. Pain is a real, natural and emotional response to loss, and kids are not immune. The goal is for the kids to have some fun while learning some tools to help them through the pain,” said Vonceil Levine, bereavement specialist for Haven Hospice.

The kids who came to the camp engaged in activities on how to deal with grief and participated in a bubble activity. The Williston Fire Department helped the kids cool off by hosing them down with water.  To close the day, there was a candle lighting ceremony to remember and honor loved ones.

Haven Hospice’s Healing Hearts program provides individual, family and group counseling to help anyone who is coping with grief, regardless of how the loss occurred. Skilled Haven Hospice social workers also assist in times of community crisis and tragedy, providing debriefing services for emergency personnel and caring for health professionals. We support grieving families in a multitude of ways.

To learn more about Camp Safe Haven and future camp dates, please contact Vonceil Levine, MSW, at 352-692-5105.