For the past 14 years, Mercy Health - Hospice has offered Camp Robin, a day camp that provides support and counseling to children affected by the loss of a loved one or friend. This year’s camp will be on Saturday, March 23 from 9 am to 2 pm at Heartland Church. Registration begins at 8:45 am.
Camp Robin consists of therapeutic activities in a fun, safe environment to help children (ages 4-17) deal with grief. The camp is offered free to children and their parents or guardians living in Western Kentucky and Southern Illinois. Campers will enjoy Animal Tales, a free lunch, arts and crafts, story and letter writing time and a memorial ceremony with a balloon send-off at 1:45 pm to end the day. Sessions available for parents or guardians that will be offered include “How to Help Yourself” and “Helping Children Grieve.”
“We continually work to improve our camp and the techniques that will most benefit those who attend,” says Shannah D. Poindexter, Community Relationship Manager. “Our teen program, like the other age grouped sessions, focuses on specific needs that teens face. Just being around others your same age who have experienced loss enables an open atmosphere and the understanding that “I am not alone”. This year we have a group of teen volunteers who will help and further enhance the idea of kids helping kids.”
Camp Robin was named to honor a Mercy Health - Hospice patient who passed away in the fall of 2005; she died at the tender age of thirteen.
For registration information or volunteer opportunities, contact Shannah Poindexter at 270-415-3636 or spoindexter@mercy.com or stop by Mercy Health – Hospice, Paducah at 911 Joe Clifton Dr. or register online at www.mercy.com/camprobin.
