A Day At Camp Paz

Stepping Stones of Hope provides an opportunity to answer this question at A Day at Camp Paz, which has been designed to provide a fun, creative and nurturing environment for healing to begin.

Local schools, churches and other community-based organizations host this one-day workshop, available to children ages 6-18. Activities and dialogue center on trust, vulnerability, family dynamics, interpersonal relationships, memories, hopes and dreams. In the final two hours of the day, family members are invited to participate.

"Children will grieve naturally, and in healthy ways, if we let them. Providing a safe environment, setting the example, giving them permission, and listening from the heart allows even the youngest children to share with others their insatiable desire to understand, and make meaning from their experiences." Dr. Charles Finch, Founder

Death is a difficult concept for children to grasp. Kids often keep their emotions hidden, not knowing how to communicate their pain, and not wanting to add to an adult's grief burden. A Day at Camp Paz provides a safe place for these children to express themselves. Through art, music, role-playing, and a lot of talking and laughing, kids learn about death and dying. And, they learn how to begin to cope.

Founded in 1999 by Dr. Charles Finch, an Emergency Department physician, and Fr. Don Kline, Stepping Stones of Hope is a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for the bereaved and providing programs that support the grieving process. In addition to the Day at Camp Paz program Stepping Stones of Hope offers: Camp Paz for Kids/Grown-Ups, Camp Paz at School, Camp Erin for Kids/Grown-Ups, After Camp Support Groups, Grief  at School, Educational Outreach, and a variety of collaborative and special program offerings.

"The day programs allow Stepping Stones of Hope to introduce healthy coping skills to grieving children in a familiar setting and teaches host agencies how to help others heal. The partnership is powerful and creates a ripple effect in the community. The smile, look, or hug from a young person despite their tremendous grief, painful memories and shattered lives touches the soul" -Lisa Weyer, Executive Director

Healing can transpire with the day camp programs, where children establish a place within themselves to cope with the lonely, sometimes all-consuming grief they feel. The workshops promise to help lift the burden and provide the support that grieving kids need. Memories will be made and friendships begun. Anger and pain will be sorted out. Happy times will be remembered. And in the end, the experience will become a stepping stone to new hope.

Join Us for A Day at Camp Paz