A weekend camp for bereaved siblings

The purpose of this article is to describe a weekend bereavement camp for children age 6 to 18 years who have lost a brother or sister to cancer. A description of the planning for the camp and the weekend program is included.

Camp New Horizons is a weekend camp for children age 6 to 18 years who have lost a sibling to cancer. At the camp, the children are divided into age-appropriate groups and spend time, through various activities, learning about the grief process to reduce their feelings of isolation, to express grief appropriately, and to move forward in the grief process. Similar programs, as well as the uniqueness of this program, are discussed.

Camp New Horizons has met many of the educational and support needs of bereaved siblings. Networks of support and friendship have formed that allow the children to reach out to one another when needed. Parents and children have increased their communication about the death in their family, thus accepting their feelings and increasing support in the family system. Continued collaboration between centers will create ongoing support for the healthcare professionals and the programs they provide.