Bereaved Families of Ontario – South Eastern Region is excited to be launching their first bereavement support camp for kids ages 6 to 17. The two-day camp taking place from 9am to 5pm on September 9th and 10th is open to all kids in Cornwall, SDG, and Prescott Russell who have experienced a death of someone close to them.
Camp BFO-SER is free for participants thanks to the sponsorship of United Way/Centraide Stormont-Dundas & Glengarry and generous donations from community partners. Activities and meals will be provided throughout the two-day camp, and participants will be gifted comfort kits for the program.
“The comfort kits have things that the kids can use to help them through the activities, through the emotions, and they can bring all of that home,” said Heidi Poulin, BFO volunteer and camp organizer, “It’s a lot of work, but it’s very important work and very fulfilling.”
Poulin explained that the region previously had a bereavement camp, Camp Erin, a 3-day camp run by Carefor Health & Community Services, but it hasn’t run since before the pandemic.
“This is something that we need in our community,” Poulin told Seaway News, “Grief is an isolating experience. Knowing you can connect with other kids who have experienced the same feelings is very empowering. We started off small this year but want to expand and grow as the word gets out.”
Registration for this year’s camp is closed, however people who wish to be put on a waitlist or access other forms of grief support can email bfo.enquiries@bfoser.ca.
