Camp Evergreen Family Manual - hosparushealth.org · [email protected]) or you may send a thumb drive. The pillow is a personal memento for each camper to create and take home

502-456-5451 | 888-345-8197 www.hosparushealth.org

Camp Evergreen Family Manual

MISSION STATEMENT AND GOALS

Camp Evergreen provides a weekend experience for bereaved families, children ages 6 and older and their parent(s)/guardian(s). The goals for Camp Evergreen are as follows:

• To provide a safe and accepting environment where grieving families can meet other families who have also experienced loss due to death.

• To provide a variety of outlets for expression of thoughts and feelings.

• To support and encourage healthy, age appropriate coping and adaptation to loss.

• To promote understanding within the family unit of each other’s unique grief experience, strengthening family bonds.

Emergency Numbers

You may bring your phones to camp but service may be spotty. We request that all campers refrain from cell phone use during camp activities. We suggest that you leave the following contact information with your family/friends.

In the event of an emergency at home, you can be reached at the following numbers:

Country Lake Retreat Center (812)-294-4789 Hosparus Health Louisville Customer Support Services

1-800-264-0521, then press Option #2 (After Regular Hours)

The Hosparus Health Customer Support number is answered 24-hours a day. This number should be used only if someone at Country Lake cannot be reached. Customer Support will have the ability to reach the Camp Evergreen staff, who will relay a message to you.


Directions to Country Lake

Country Lake Retreat Center 815 Country Lake Road, Underwood, IN 47177

Follow I65 to Henryville Exit #19. From the south, turn right onto Route 160 at the top of the ramp. From the north, turn left onto Route 160. At the flashing light, turn left onto Route 31. Go 4.6 miles and turn left onto County Line Rd. Turn left at the first left onto Country Lake Rd. In 1.6 miles you will be at the main entrance.

CAMP EVERGREEN PACKING LIST

Toiletries

Comb/Brush/Hair Care Items

Deodorant

Shampoo/Conditioner

Sunscreen

Toothpaste/Toothbrush Clothing

Athletic Shoes

Socks (3 pair)

Shorts/Pants/Jeans (3 Pair)

Shirts (3)

Rain Gear (Poncho/Rain Jacket)

Undergarments (3 Changes)

*Swimsuit (Women/girls: one piece bathing suit or two piece suit with a dark t-shirt cover. Men/boys: No speedos)

Beach towels for water activities

Cap/Hat or Bandanna (Optional)

Light Jacket

Pajamas *Water activities are seasonal and subject to change. Camp staff/volunteers will make you aware of any planned water activities prior to start of camp.

Other Items

Sunglasses

Alarm Clock

Medications (prescribed and over the counter)

Flashlight

Watch

Picture of Person(s) Who Died

Small Memento of Person(s) Who Died (symbolizing something about him/her)

Non-Aerosol Insect Repellent (Optional)

Ear Plugs (if snoring bunkmates would interfere with your sleep)

Night Light (Optional) Reminders

❖ Please NO: Perfume, hair spray, mousse, gum, candy, and snack food – they all attract insects

❖ Snacks are provided. ❖ Please tag your belongings with

appropriate identification. ❖ Leave your valuables at

home! Evergreen Team/Country Lake Staff assumes no liability for lost or missing items.

THE CAMP EVERGREEN WEEKEND

Each family will be assigned a Family Support Volunteer (FSV) to accompany them throughout the camp weekend. (An additional FSV may be assigned to a large family.) Each FSV will call their assigned family prior to the camp weekend to introduce him/herself and answer any additional questions the family may have. ARRIVING AT CAMP

Check in begins at 5:15 and we will be eating dinner together at 6:30 pm. Please plan to arrive on time! Upon arrival, families will be welcomed, shown to their assigned rooms and oriented to camp by their FSV(s). Cars will be parked for the weekend and camp will be navigated on foot after unloading. Campers will also make name badges prior to the opening of the Healing Space. A complete schedule of activities will be provided upon arrival, and FSVs will help families get where they need to go throughout the weekend.

THE HEALING SPACE

Families, staff, and volunteers are encouraged to bring a few photos and mementos about their person who died to share and to create a memory table. The Healing Space is a centerpiece for the weekend, providing a reflective place for thinking, feeling, and remembering people who have died. During the weekend, families, staff, and volunteers will create and memory posters[AS1] that will be hung in the Healing Space. (Note: All photos, mementos and posters will be returned to campers on Sunday).

GROUPS AND WORKSHOPS

Campers will be divided into groups throughout the weekend. Some groups will be for the family together and some for peer groups. The FSV's will accompany families to all activities which involve the whole family together and accompany the younger children/teens to their groups when campers divide into peer group workshops. Families are encouraged to discuss any concerns with their FSV and with the Camp Evergreen team who are there to support them throughout the weekend. PILLOW PROJECT Each camper will have an opportunity to create a special pillow in honor of their person(s) who died by using a variety of materials, including photographs which are scanned onto fabric transfer paper. We will be preparing for this workshop prior to your arrival, so it is important that photographs are sent in prior to camp. They may be sent by hard copy, emailed as digital images[AS2] (send to: [email protected]) or you may send a thumb drive. The pillow is a personal memento for each camper to create and take home at the end of camp. For this reason, we encourage that each camper select photographs which are meaningful to them. Each camper will be able to have up to three photographs scanned on to an 8 ½” x 11” piece of fabric transfer paper. The scanned photos will then be cut apart and applied to the pillow. Campers will go


to the workshop with their peer groups and we will have an envelope with the scanned pictures ready for each camper. For this reason, we need for you to indicate which pictures belong to each member of your family when they are submitted with your application. If everyone wants to use the same photo, that can be done, just let us know! We understand the significance of your family photographs and want you to know we plan to take great care in preserving and protecting them as we prepare for the workshop.

LOW ROPES

Families will learn important lessons about teamwork, about communication and about understanding and coping with grief by participating in the low ropes course at Camp Evergreen. The low ropes course is a series of obstacles that are challenging but not physically strenuous. Low ropes is a workshop in which families will be participating with other families. Please wear shoes for this workshop- not flip flops or sandals!

BURDEN BASKET CEREMONY/CAMPFIRE

The Burden Basket Ceremony provides reflection upon the experience of the whole life shared with the person(s) who died, including releasing things that still seem particularly troublesome. Campers will have some time to enjoy the campfire with percussion, music and s’mores after the ceremony.

SUNDAY MORNING GATHERING

An optional Sunday morning non-denominational service will be available before breakfast for campers, staff and volunteers and will be led by Hosparus Health staff.

MEMORIAL SERVICE The Memorial Tree Service is a special time to honor the memories of the person(s) who died. An important part of grief work is taking the time to pause and honor the life shared with these family members, to be thankful for this shared time, and to claim the things that remain from the life that was shared with them. Persons are reminded that it matters very much that the person(s) died—but it matters much, much more that the person(s) lived. Family members will always be with us, in heart and mind. They will be firmly rooted in our memory. These memories will give comfort and help make us strong. There will be a way we can continue to learn and grow from knowing the person(s) who died. Campers are encouraged to have their family’s picture taken in front of the Camp Evergreen tree after the tree planting and prior to departing camp on Sunday. Camp will end before lunch on Sunday[AS3].


A FEW MORE THINGS… Campers must be able to stay for the entire weekend and will not be permitted to come and go from camp during the weekend. Campers will be encouraged to participate fully in all activities. Though everyone is expected to attend all events, campers will have the right to determine their level of participation. Campers are still expected to respectfully listen and lend quiet support to others if choosing not to participate. Mutual respect for individual experiences, thoughts, and feelings is expected. Everyone is expected to convey respect through appropriate language, dress and behavior. This respect extends to the Country Lake Staff and property. Every measure has been taken to make Camp Evergreen as safe as possible and still ensure that everyone has a positive experience. Even though every family has a family support volunteer (FSV), parents are still responsible for knowing where their child or teen is at all times during camp. Please be aware of this, especially during free time and after meals. Communicate with your FSV clearly about who is watching the children. Families may enjoy the camp together during their leisure time without staff/volunteer supervision as long as they notify their assigned volunteer or a staff member. Families may ONLY go out onto the docks, be in the swim area or in the water during times of a supervised camp activity. Complete water safety rules are outlined on page 11 of this manual and guidelines will be reviewed again at camp. Your family will be kept busy! While Camp Evergreen is a weekend to get away, it is also a time to do some very deliberate, focused work. No iPods or electronic games are permitted because of this. We ask that you be “present” at camp and keep your cell phone activity to a minimum. Campers are NOT allowed to text or email during camp activities[AS4]. Campers who would like to stay in touch with each other after camp may exchange contact information (children and teens with parent/guardian permission please!) Campers must exchange contact information with each other, as volunteers and staff are not allowed to give out camper’s personal information. THE LODGE Each family will have their own room. Rooms have two queen sized beds and a bath. Rooms lock and bed linens and bath towels are provided. If a family has more than four family members, additional rooms will be assigned, but an adult family member must sleep in each room with minor age children. Children/teens are not allowed to sleep in rooms together without an adult. We must be packed and out of the rooms at 11:00am on Sunday, prior to our retreat ending around lunchtime.


The lodge is large. Children/teens may not leave their family’s room unless accompanied by a parent or guardian for safety reasons. Additionally, parents may not leave their children/teens alone in the room. Families/volunteers/staff are not allowed in each other’s rooms. Please gather in public areas only. There will be a “lights out” time on the camp schedule. At that time, families will retire to their rooms for the evening. There are no televisions at camp and we ask that electronics be left at home. Board games will be available for families to take to their rooms if they are not yet ready for “lights out.” Dress Code-Casual dress is appropriate for all staff, volunteers, and campers. No short shorts, spaghetti strap shirts, deep cut tank tops or see through shirts. Campers should wear athletic shoes for outdoor activities such as ropes course, hiking, or camp fire. No speedos for men or two-piece bathing suits for women, unless covered with a dark colored T-shirt if water activities are provided. Staff, volunteers and families will respect and adhere to any dress, behavior or other restrictions particular to the Camp Evergreen venue, should they differ from Camp Evergreen policies. Pajamas are not allowed in public areas. FOOD SERVICE Meals/Snacks-Camp Evergreen venue or Hosparus Health will supply all meals, snacks and drinks. Exceptions may be made if family has a special need outside the scope of what Camp Evergreen can provide. Family will alert staff prior to Camp Evergreen that they will be bringing food and plan for food storage in these cases. Peanut Restriction-NO foods containing peanuts shall be allowed at Camp Evergreen. Universal Precautions-All staff and volunteers will wash hands and wear gloves if serving food and remind families/children to wash hands. Snack Provision-Snacks will be commercially purchased and prepackaged if provided by Hosparus Health. Food Allergies/Dietary Restrictions-Families will identify any food allergies and dietary restrictions in writing prior to Camp Evergreen. Camp Notification of Allergy/Dietary Restrictions-The Camp Evergreen Director will provide a list of food allergies and special needs to the Camp Evergreen vendor location in writing prior to Camp Evergreen so that accommodations can be made, and provide this information to the staff and volunteers.


MEDICAL Hosparus Health will have a nurse on staff throughout the weekend. Families will be oriented and shown the location of the nurse’s room when they arrive at camp. All health concerns, including illnesses, and non-life-threatening injuries (even if minor) will be reported to the Camp Evergreen Nurse. Campers will be brought to the Camp Evergreen Nurse’s room to provide privacy for the medical intervention and/or discussion. A parent/guardian must be present for treatment if person is a minor. The nurse will have a stocked first aid kit on site. Medications-Staff/volunteers/families will be responsible for their own storage and dispensing of prescribed and over the counter medications and kept in camper’s locked rooms. The exception would be items such as inhalers, epi-pens and insulin pumps, which may be carried on the person, with the nurse’s knowledge. Staff/volunteers/families will be responsible for bringing a cooler to store any medications needing to be stored in refrigerated conditions. Hosparus Health will not supply campers with any over the counter medications. Emergencies: EMS will immediately be called in case of emergency. Families may choose the hospital of their preference if a camper needs treatment at a hospital. Staff/volunteers will NOT transport families, although families may provide their own transportation to preferred hospital or ask for an ambulance to be called. A staff member will accompany family to the hospital, following by car. CONFIDENTIALITY Sharing Information-All information about campers and their families will be kept confidential. Information will be shared between staff and volunteers on a need to know basis, when sharing of information is necessary to ensure a safe, successful and meaningful Camp Evergreen experience for campers. All team members will know basic information about the families attending Camp Evergreen, such as loss experience and any other information that is necessary to ensure safe and effective support of the family. Mandatory Reporting-Families/children/campers will be assured that what they share is confidential and will not be shared with others without their consent. Information disclosed by campers in cases of suspected physical, sexual, or emotional abuse or an indication that a camper may hurt themselves or someone else will be shared when necessary and in accordance with the law. Sharing Information with Parents/Guardians-There may be instances in which it is in the best interest of a child for the parent/guardian to be aware of his/her thoughts or feelings. Staff will talk with the child first to ensure that the child agrees to avoid violating trust and will encourage child to be present for that conversation in these cases. Counselors will not proceed without child’s permission unless the situation is one in which disclosure is mandatory.


Health Information of Minors- Hosparus Health staff may break child/teen confidentiality to advise parents/guardians about concerns that could significantly affect their child’s/teen’s health or well-being if they are under the age of 18. Staff/Volunteer Personal Contact Information-Camp Evergreen staff and volunteers are not permitted to give families their personal phone number or email address. Families can exchange with other families if they wish. Facebook and Social Media- Staff, volunteers and campers may not post pictures of Camp Evergreen on social media websites. CAMP SAFETY The Rule of Three- Staff and volunteers will not engage in 1:1 interactions with campers out of observable sight of others and will follow the “Rule of Three.” A minimum of three participants should be together at all times, ideally with two adults present when traveling the camp grounds or accompanying children to the bathroom. Should a child/youth camper attempt to leave a group or activity, two adults (staff or volunteer) will follow, ensuring that the other campers are cared for in their absence. Evergreen is a Non-Smoking Event- If a camper must smoke at camp, this would have to be limited to specific break times. Country Lake Retreat Center only permits smoking in camper’s cars in the parking lot. DO NOT throw cigarettes on the ground. NO smoking in rooms.

NO recreational drugs, alcohol, fireworks, or weapons, including pocket knives, are allowed on camp property, including those stored in personal vehicles. Violation of this policy will result in dismissal from camp. Candles-Memorial activities involving candles will use battery operated candles only. Safety Plan Review -Family Support Volunteers will review with their assigned families fire and weather safety plans, including where the nearest exits are to their room as well as where to meet in case the building must be vacated. WATER SAFETY

Water Activities may be available depending on the camp selected and time of year. No campers, staff or volunteers may be on the docks, in the swim area or in the water unless engaging in a supervised water activity. No one under the age of 18 is permitted in the waterslide or paddleboat area without being accompanied by their parent/guardian. If water activities are available at camp, the following must be observed:


1. Life Jackets-All participants must wear a life jacket at all times when in a boat, on the dock or in the water. Life jackets are provided by the camp venue location.

2. Lifeguard-Camp Venue will provide a lifeguard for scheduled water activities. 3. Water Area Supervision-Parents and guardians must be present for minor age children to

participate or to be present in the water activity area. 4. Boats/Paddleboat-All must stay away from the shore. No standing up in the boats. 5. Canoeing-All must stay away from the shore. No flipping canoes. 6. Diving-No diving. 7. Fishing-Parents and guardians must be present with minor age children. No fishing license is

required for this activity. Please bring your own fishing gear. Water Activity Privileges-Water activity privileges may be revoked if above rules are not followed.


PARENTING GRIEVING CHILDREN: 10 GUIDING POINTS

1. Take care of you -- Exercise, eat well-balanced meals, stick to regular routines and reach out to others for support. These activities might be difficult when you are grieving, but taking care of yourself is still important. Grieving children do better when they have a healthy adult providing support and understanding.

2. Be honest with your child -- Discussing the death with your child in a simple, direct and age appropriate manner. Be honest and share clear, accurate information about what happened. Children need to hear the truth from someone they love.

3. Listen -- Listen to your child share his or her story about what happened. Let them ask you questions and answer their questions as best as you can. Do not be afraid to say, “I don’t know.”

4. Acknowledge your child’s grief -- Recognize that your child is grieving. Be careful not to impose your grief on your child, but allow him or her to grieve in his or her own way. It is normal for children to feel an array of emotions, including sadness, anger, frustration and fear. It is also normal for children to move in and out of grief reactions, at times being very upset or getting angry easily and at other times playing as if nothing has happened. If you are not sure how grief is impacting your child, spend time with them playing, coloring, drawing or sharing stories. Quite often children will give you clues to their grief through these activities.

5. Share -- Tell your child stories about your own life. Times you were afraid, sad or angry. Tell them how you dealt with these situations and what you learned. Children love to hear stories about the adults in their lives and when those adults were children. Sharing stories helps a child normalize what he or she is experiencing.

6. Be creative -- Give your child a creative outlet to express feelings. This can be done through drawing, writing, doing crafts, listening to music, or playing games.

7. Maintain clear expectations -- Keep rules and boundaries consistent. Children gain security when they know what is expected from them. Children will often use their pain as an excuse for inappropriate behavior. While you should always acknowledge the grief your child is experiencing, you should also teach them to be accountable for their choices, no matter how they feel.

8. Reassure your child -- Remind your child that he or she is loved and that you are there for them. Following the death of a person in his or her life, a child's sense of safety can be shaken. Children often fear that you or other people in their life might die. While you cannot promise that you or others will not die, you can let your child know the plan if such an event occurs.

9. Create rituals and new family traditions -- Rituals can give your family tangible ways to acknowledge your grief and honor the memory of those who have died. Lighting candles, recognizing special occasions, sharing stories about those who have died or volunteering with a local charity as a family are some of the ways you can incorporate new traditions or rituals.

10. Be patient -- You and your child are grieving and the most intense parts of grief often take longer than we might want. Grief also changes us in many ways. So, be patient as you and your child experience your grief. Be patient with your child. A child often comes back to the same details and questions. Patiently spend time with your child as they (and you) grow, change and continue to construct their (your) life story. Provided by NAGC member The Amelia Center, www.ameliacenter.org


10 Things Grieving Children Want You to Know #1 – Grieving children want to be told the truth.

Tell grieving children the truth with these considerations in mind:

The age of the child

The maturity level of the child

The circumstances surrounding the death

Answer questions as honestly as you can

#2 – Grieving children want to be reassured that there will always be someone to take care of them.

Grieving children spend a lot of time worrying about another person in their life who might die.

To help alleviate this fear, it’s important to reassure them that there will always be someone in their life who will take care of them.

Enlist the aid of their parent or caregiver to determine a plan for the children. Let the children know what the plan is.

#3 – Grieving children want you to know that their grief is long lasting.

Children will grieve the person who died for the rest of their life.

Grieving kids don’t “just get over it”.

They will often be bewildered when other people in their life have seemed to move on.

Their grief changes over time as they grow and change over time.

#4 – Children often cope with grief and loss through play.

Children grieve through play.

Typically, they cannot sustain prolonged grief.

Children use play as a way to cope with their grief and to take a break from the grief.

#5 – Grieving children want you to know that they will always miss the person who died.

People die, but love doesn’t die.

Grieving children will miss the person who died for as long as they live.

#6 – Often, grieving children want to share their story and talk about the person who died.

Having an opportunity to tell his or her story is often beneficial to a child’s healing process.

Sharing memories about the person who died is also very important.

Grieving children don’t want to forget the person who died – they are also worried that others will


#7 – Every child grieves differently.

Every child has his or her own grief journey and own way of grieving.

Some children might be more expressive with their grief.

Some children might keep it all in.

Siblings grieve differently.

Just because children come from the same family doesn’t mean that their grief will be the same.

It is important to honor each child’s story, even if it is different than his or her sibling’s story.

#8 – Grieving children often feel guilty.

Grieving children will often feel pangs of guilt.

Even if the guilt is not justified and has no basis in reality.

#9 – Even though I might be acting out, what I’m really feeling is intense emotions of grief.

Grieving children frequently feel sad, angry, confused, or scared.

Since they might not know how to express all of these emotions, they often end up acting out instead. #10 - If you’re not sure what a grieving child wants, just ask him!

When in doubt, ask a grieving child how you can help.

Check in with the child – do they want to talk about the person who died? Maybe not.

Expect myriad answers.

Do they want to write about their grief or do some other activity to express their grief?

What do they need?

You can help grieving children by:

Listening

Really hearing them when you’re listening

Following their lead

Validating their feelings

Answering their questions

Seeking out additional resources, as needed

Written by: Pamela Gabbay, M.A., FT Program Director The Mourning Star Center for Grieving Children and Teens Camp Director, Camp Erin (760) 836-0360 www.mourningstar.org

Documents

Camp Evergreen Family Manual - hosparushealth.org · [email protected]) or you may send a thumb drive. The pillow is a personal memento for each camper to create and take home