ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses ways to recruit campers, and work needed before, during, and after camp. There are several different formats for healing camps that serve bereaved children, including day camps of different length, weekend camps, and weeklong camps. The camp agenda originally consisted of grief activities such as sharing the story, identifying feelings, writing letters to the deceased, a memorial service, and a balloon release. Recreational camps have a play agenda where campers bond and support each other through the different activities. Psycho-educational camps have volunteers or professionals who help educate the campers on natural grief reactions and teach coping skills. Volunteers need training to maintain good boundaries with their charges. The American Camp Association recommend that young children aged 6–8 have one adult per six campers, while children aged 9–14 have one adult per eight campers. Teenagers aged 15–18 may have one adult per ten campers.
