FAQ for Family Camp Families

Families with a child(ren) entering grades 4-12th in the fall of 2024 who have experienced the death of a partner/parent or primary caregiver. Families do not need to be current or former Experience Camps campers. We also recommend that at least six months have passed since the death of your family’s person or people.

Priority will be given to families who are local to the Family Camp locations so that participants can continue the bonds of camp after the weekend concludes (within a 90 min – 2 hour drive).

Family Camp, including lodging and meals, is free of charge, thanks to the generosity of our donors. Travel is not provided.

Yes, your camper is able to attend both programs in one year. Families attending Family Camp will be a mix of currently enrolled families and new families who have never been to Experience Camps before.

Experience Camps will review all applications. Unfortunately, we can’t accept every family that applies. If your family is eligible and there is space at your preferred location, you will be contacted for an intake conversation. You will receive an update in your application status within a few weeks of your application.

When a spot becomes available for your family, they will be enrolled, and you will receive a confirmation email and text. Enrollment closes for each Family Camp two weeks prior to opening day. If your family has not been enrolled by that point, you will receive an email with instructions on how to apply for Family Camp next year.

The grief specialists leading clinical activities have a masters-level degree in a related mental health field. Additionally, all of our volunteers participate in a grief training program led by our licensed clinical mental health professionals who specialize in grief work. A number of our volunteers have also experienced the death of a parent or primary caregiver and wish to provide support to other families with a similar experience.

Camp can accommodate most basic allergies including gluten-free, nut-free, and dairy-free and most dietary restrictions. You may choose to avoid certain foods at meal time. If a family member has more severe allergies, reach out to familycamp@experiencecamps.org. Families are not permitted to keep individual food in the cabins.

All families will be required to complete pre-camp forms. This information will be communicated a few months before camp. The adults of accepted families will be expected to attend a pre-camp virtual info session that will provide an overview of what to expect, packing list, and meet some of your Experience Camps team who will be at camp with you. All materials will be provided by email as well.

Transportation is not provided. All families must arrange their own transportation to camp. If you have any questions or need assistance, contact us at familycamp@experiencecamps.org. Details regarding when to arrive at camp will be communicated along with pre-camp forms.

Families will arrive to camp at 12:00 p.m. on the first day. Families leave after lunch on the third day, around 2:00p.m. Once at camp, families will not leave the venue unless there is an emergency.

Camp provides all meals. You should bring all clothing, toiletries, bedding, linens, and necessary medications. No outside food should be brought to camp with the exception of those with a severe allergy (see below for details). We will provide a detailed packing list in advance of camp.

On its surface, a vast majority of the weekend will look like any other traditional camp with singing, cheering, laughing, running, etc. What you might not notice right away is that every element and activity has a purpose and clinical component to it.

For campers, scheduled programming may feel like 80% camp activities and 20% clinical activities. For caregivers, the weekend may feel like 65% camp and 35% clinical. However, 100% of the program is clinically-informed and designed to create a safe space to connect around your grief, even during the in-between moments like walking to free swim or settling in for the night.

After your family arrives on Friday at 12:00 p.m., you’ll settle into your bunks and meet our volunteers before jumping into camp activities and intention setting as individuals and as a community. After a family-style meal, we’ll have a large group activity designed to bring out the laughs, and then a welcome campfire. The rest of the weekend is filled with different camp activities like a ropes course, arts and crafts, and playing at the waterfront. Facilitated by your grief specialist, clinical activities and discussion will take place in peer groups rather than as families (caregivers together and campers together).

A full day of camp might look like:

8:00 a.m. – Breakfast

9:00 a.m. – Morning camp and clinical activities 

1:00 p.m. – Lunch

1:30 p.m. – Rest Time

2:30 p.m. – Afternoon games and free swim

6:00 p.m. – Dinner

7:00 p.m. – Evening Activity

8:00 p.m. – Campfire

9:00 p.m. – Head back to the bunks for lights out

We have land sports, water sports, and creative activities. We have integrated the camp program with bereavement activities and projects designed to help the campers express feelings, explore memories, build confidence, and find comfort in the presence of their peers.