About Us - Experience Camps

We believe that every child deserves to live a life rich with possibility.

Experience Camps, founded in 2009, is a national, no-cost program for grieving children who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling or primary caregiver. Our one-week, overnight summer grief camps, year-round programs, and content help to reframe the experience of grief, and empower kids with the necessary coping skills to move forward with their lives. Through compassion, connection, and play, Experience Camps allows grieving children to embody a life full of hope and possibility.

Watch “Experience Camps: The Power of Grief Camp”

Directed and Edited by John Patrick Hayden

We give grieving children experiences that change their lives forever.

At Experience Camps, everyone understands what it’s like to lose someone important. Here, kids can laugh, cry, play, honor the memory of the person who died, while getting a break from the grief that often weighs them down. At camp, they learn they are not alone.

Experience Camps is a beacon of light guiding them back to safer waters. Where there was once despair, there is now hope. Yes, they lost their loved one, but they have gained a family, a band of brothers.”

— Lori Lane (mom of Trevor, age 13)

The need is enormous.

1 in 5 children will experience the death of someone close to them by age 18.

Over the last five years, our demand for grief camps has increased 500% and COVID-19 means tens of thousands more kids are now being impacted by childhood grief. Our 5-year goal is to double the number of kids attending camp and expand our reach and resources to millions more.

The Issue

Who we are

Experience Camps is made up of an incredible network of full-time staff, camp directors, Experience Camps volunteers, and licensed clinicians whose skills and passion ensure that our campers enjoy a transformative experience at camp and beyond the bunk.

Meet Our Team

Our programs

Summer Camps

We provide children and teens whose parent, sibling or primary caregiver has died, with free, one-week overnight summer camp programs.

Beyond The Bunk

Our community of support for grieving kids extends beyond the bunk, all year-round.

Leaders In Training

Building resilient youth leaders through mentorship, training and peer support.

Adults Grief Retreat

A weekend retreat for adults who are grieving.

Learn More

Be there for grieving children when they need us the most.

Raising a world of confident, happy and hopeful humans takes a village, especially when those humans have endured challenges and losses that leave them feeling vulnerable and all alone. It’s up to all of us to be there for grieving children. Find out how you can be part of our village.

Get Involved