“Camp was so important for my son because it helped him learn not to hold it in. The information they provided me also helped me look for warning signs to make sure he was doing okay,” said Renita Mixson, who attended Camp Safe Haven with her son and goddaughter in 2012 after the loss of her husband and returned with her goddaughter this year after her mother died suddenly. “He carried the burden for a long time and felt responsible because he could not save his dad. Camp Safe Haven helped him talk about it and understand that there wasn’t anything he could do.”
Camp Safe Haven is free and open to children and youth, ages 5-18, who have experienced the loss of a loved one, regardless of how that loss occurred. Attendance at camp will give participants the tools they need to acknowledge that a change in their life has occurred and to accept that change through a three-step approach:
» Encourage participants to acknowledge their feelings, thoughts and behaviors related to loss.
» Empower participants to learn how to manage their grief reactions.
» Enlighten participants with the understanding that grieving is a natural process, it’s okay to feel sad, and it’s okay to express their feelings and learn that others experience grief too.
As a not-for-profit organization, Haven opens its doors to all children at NO CHARGE.
While children attend Camp at no charge, the expenses for providing this service are not reimbursed to Haven through insurance or any other funding. Expenses for camp include:
- Facility costs
- Meals and snacks for campers, staff and volunteers
- Salary for professional counselors and staff
- Materials for crafts, games, arts, books, t-shirts, back packs, photo booth
- Other needs for a safe camping experience
This is where you can help. For a tax deductible contribution of $250, your gift will send a child to camp. It takes courage for these children who have lost a loved one to join together and share the pain in their hearts. We ask you to give careful consideration to support this program that can make a real difference in the life of a young person. Please join us by sponsoring a child.
Haven would like to thank the following donors for their generous contributions to Camp Safe Haven:
- Jackie Price
- Mary Press
- Keith Leibfried
- Tyson and Kathy Johnson
