A camp for bereaved children and teens will be held in late May near Austin. The 13th Annual Camp Bridges Weekend is set for Circle Square Ranch.

Prairie Mountain Health and Southern Health-Santé Sud are organizing the thirteenth annual Camp Bridges weekend, a weekend camp for bereaved children and teens. Camp Bridges will be held at the Circle Square Ranch near Austin on May 25, 26 and 27, 2018.

“The goal of Camp Bridges is to support children and teens with their grief and bereavement. This is achieved through activities designed to help share grief and honour memories in a caring community environment. The youth also get to enjoy regular camp activities and programs” said Palliative Care Coordinator Melissa Peters.

The Camp will provide a safe, supportive and fun environment where grieving children and teens learn that they are not alone in their grief and are free to share their thoughts and feelings with peers who are going through a similar experience. This camp is intended to complement existing bereavement services for children and teens by providing a weekend of “caring and sharing”.

Donations are being accepted to cover the cost of the camp rental, meals and activities, so that campers may attend at no cost. Anyone wishing to make a donation to Camp Bridges or seeking more information about the camp may contact their regional Palliative Care representative.

“We can host up to 50 campers and some years have had as many as 70 applications.”

Camp Bridges cannot occur without the volunteers. The application deadline for volunteers is April 3.

Camp Bridges was held last year at Camp Wannakumbac and hosted 38 children and teens between the ages of 7 and 15.

Camper Applications can be obtained from your regional Palliative Care representative and should be submitted by May 1.