Helping children deal with the loss of a loved one can be difficult.

“When a loved one dies, expectedly or suddenly, the aftermath is surreal and frightening for family and friends,” said Randy Berryhill, bereavement counselor for Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County. “For children, this is equally true, yet oftentimes parents think the child is ‘taking it so well.’ ”
To help children deal with their feelings, Hospice is sponsoring an all-day grief camp called Rainbow Retreat.

The camp, which caters to kids in grades two through five, will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Troutman Elementary School.

The grief camp is free to kids between the ages of 7 and 11 who have experienced the loss of a loved one. The event is open to children regardless of whether the family was served by Hospice.

Berryhill said too often children are left out of the grieving process.

“Self-help groups are typically for adults; in fact, most human service agencies cater to adults,” he said. “Too often our youngest generation gets overlooked. Yet, they too experience the gamut of emotions of grief, and especially when it comes to grieving, no man is an island,” Berryhill said social interaction is vital in grief recovery, especially interacting with those in the same boat.

That’s the reason behind the all-day camp for kids only.

Child psychologist Lura McMurphy will facilitate the heart of the gathering. Hospice staff and volunteers will help lead other grief-related activities, some of which will be serious and others, fun.

Registration is required. For more information call Berryhill at 704-873-4719, extension 4353.

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