HelloGrief.org
March NJ Camp Reflection
By Maggie Harrison, Camps and Services Manager, New Jersey
Amazing weather, amazing family, amazing healing.
Just a comment on the weather – we could not have asked for anything better in mid-March! While there was a slight chill in the air, the bright skies and lack of rain more than made up for it!
Family is the best word to describe the group of campers, volunteers and staff who came out to our NJ Comfort Zone Camp session this past weekend. It was in no way evident that approximately 1/3 of them were first timers!
I am always amazed that the common goal of helping these grieving children is really all we need to pull together and accomplish the start or furthering of their grief journey. The amount of support, of encouragement, of love is enough to make anyone’s heart overflow. It is a blessing to be involved in it all!
The memorial service summed the weekend up nicely. There was laughter and there were tears – proof that the healing process was in place. There was a new found (or newly revived?) courage in each of these campers who wanted to commemorate and honor their loved ones in front of new and old friends and family.
A transformation over the weekend was clearly evident. Campers who came in shy and apprehensive were running around on Sunday saying goodbyes to all their new friends, making promises of seeing each other at future camps. Volunteers who were nervous of the unknown (will I be a good Big Buddy? What will I need to do?) realized that by giving their time, they were also taking away more from the experience than they could have ever imagined.
On a more personal note, while I have heard countless testimonials about CZC changing and improving family interactions…it was not until just after this camp that I experienced it firsthand. Having my step-brother and step-sister at camp brought us closer together. Before this weekend, I do not think I would have been invited to participate in a 17-year old’s (turning 18!) birthday celebration. Now, I will find myself sky diving this summer to do just that.
Simply put, last weekend was amazing and we thank everyone involved for their participation!
Comments
After I went to camp last
After I went to camp last weekend I felt so much better. I had my brother and my step-sister there and both of made me feel so much better after the bonfire. I realized that there are other people other then my family that do care and understand. I met some really cool girls and we talked and joked like we knew each other forever. My brother swore he wouldn't talk but I know he did, he had the biggest smile on his face when he left the camp on sunday and all he did was talk on the way home. The three of us had a plan to make my step-mother cry on sunday at the memorial service and we did, so did my and and of course I did to. Thanks so much
N.J. Camp
I must say that I was amazed at the transformation I saw in my 2 stepchildren after this weekend. My 17 year old stepson who swore and made me promise that he would not be forced to share or talk...well, he talked and all the way home, he couldn't stop talking! He told of meeting a little camper of about 9 who lost his dad and well, he kinda took to the kid and the kid took to him so, he felt like he could buddy up and see him and talk to him once in a while and his Mom is greatful. It was said and proven...he drank the kool-aid! My stepdaughter who likes to talk was able to, without fear, talk about her loss with people who understood and cared. As for myself, my 3 kids gave a beautiful and touching memorial to their brother and though my husband and I cried without hesitation, it was a healing cry because they remember, they feel and they were not afraid to show it. Thanks Comfort Zone
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