September always marks a shift—from long summer days to school routines—but for our team, it’s also a moment to pause and take in all that unfolded at camp. We swap stories of joy and laughter, remember the moments of courage and connection, and reflect on the transformations we witnessed in returning campers. These stories refill our hearts and ground us in our “why”—the reason behind the months of planning, fundraising, logistics, and evaluation. We love to kick off the fall with a big-picture look at camp by the numbers.
What the numbers said:
# of camp programs: 14 (including the opening of our Connecticut program)
# of campers who attended: 1,422 (up from 1,244 in 2024)
% campers (eligible) returning from prior year(s): 86%
# of states campers came from: 41
# of countries campers came from including the U.S.: 8 (Canada, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Peru, United Kingdom)
# of volunteer counselors & staff: 958 (up from 799 in 2024)
% of volunteers and staff from prior year(s): 70%
# of candles lit for a person who died: 3,022
# of times campers shared about their grief: soooo many beautiful times
What we saw in terms of causes of death:
Of the 1,422 kids we served at camp, some of the most common causes of death for their person included…
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- 293 died by cancer
- 235 died by heart disease
- 156 died by suicide
- 117 died by car/motorcycle accident
- 116 died by drug overdose
Sample of what parents and caregivers had to say this summer…
My boys haven’t stopped talk about their experience at Experience Camps in Connecticut! I’m so very thankful. They can’t wait to return next year.
Year 4 is in the books! My son Graduated from LIT program and my daughter had her best year yet! Thank you Experience Camps and all the staff and counselors for creating THE BEST WEEK EVER!!
This was my son’s sixth year at camp, and each year, he grows in ways that astound me. Last year, he was finally able to say out loud (for the first time) his dad’s name and how he died. This year, he got his bunk mates’ phone numbers and has been texting them – he has been too afraid (until now!) to get too attached to friends because he is afraid of losing them.
My daughter, Kariann, had an incredible experience during her first year, and I am thrilled to witness her tremendous progress. Her ability to learn, share, and express herself has been truly remarkable, and I am deeply grateful!
Thank you so much Experience Camps! First year for our son, Thomas, he came home and immediately asked to go next year. We appreciate you all!
Want to find out how you can get involved?
- Learn how to volunteer for us.
- Learn how to apply for camp next summer (applications open in November).
- Donate to support more grieving children.
- Sign up for our newsletter to read about upcoming events and opportunities
