In August Hospice of Queen Anne’s will mark the 20th year that Camp New Dawn has been a refuge for children and teens learning how to live with the loss of a loved one.
Rhonda Knotts, MCC, grief counselor for Hospice of Queen Anne’s and director of Camp New Dawn, says, “Camp New Dawn takes the essential ingredients of summer camp – fun, food and friendship – and adds activities that help children and teens express what it feels like to lose someone they love. ”
Knotts adds, “Children and teens are often the forgotten mourners because they grieve differently than adults. Camp New Dawn can help these young people develop healthy coping skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.”
The 2014 dates for Camp New Dawn are Saturday, August 9 through Monday, August 11. During their weekend at Camp Pecometh in Centreville, campers, who range in age from 7 to 17, interact with professional grief counselors, who help them learn about and express grief in a safe, natural environment.
This year, Camp New Dawn will continue for a third night on Monday, August 11, when family members join the campers for an overnight family retreat.
The success of Camp New Dawn depends on a corps of adults who volunteer as buddies for the campers. “Each camper is paired up with an adult,” Knotts says. “Some of our camp volunteers sign up because Hospice of Queen Anne’s or another local hospice organization was there when they and their families said goodbye to a loved one.”
Courtney Williams, manager of volunteer and professional services for Hospice of Queen Anne’s, says, “Many buddies come back year after year because they get as much as they give from participating in the camp activities.”
Williams adds, “We rely on other adults to help with set up, clean up and the many other jobs it takes to coordinate this event.”
Adults who apply to volunteer at Camp New Dawn must be 21years of age or older and complete a training program before camp begins.
The cost for each camper is $30. “No child is turned away because of inability to pay,” says Knotts. “We depend on donors and sponsors to help us fund the cost of Camp New Dawn so that everyone who will benefit from the experience can attend.”
Camp New Dawn is one of the many grief support programs offered by Hospice of Queen Anne’s. For more information about Camp New Dawn, contact Rhonda Knotts, 443-262-4109, [email protected]. Learn about the full program of grief support services offered by Hospice of Queen Anne’s by calling 443-262-4100 and by visiting www.hospiceofqueenannes.org.
Camp New Dawn buddies Dominic Digiovine (left) and Mark Wade (right) with camper DJ White.
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