Camp instills courage in grieving kids

As at most summer camps, the kids at Camp Courage play games, swim and have cookouts.

But what makes this day camp unique is the special bond the 50 campers share.

Run by Barrington-based Hospice of Northeastern Illinois, Camp Courage is for children coping with the loss of a loved one.

"It helps the kids realize they are not alone," said Jordon Wolf, the hospice's manager of clinical social services and a camp organizer.

The four-day program, held this month at Camp Duncan in Ingleside, gave children aged ages 4 to 18 avenues for coping with their feelings. Projects included making memory boxes, creating quilt squares, tie-dying T-shirts and numerous musical activities.

When 11-year-old Jade Green's father died last year, she said she felt alone, like no one understood what she was going through.

But after making new friends at Camp Courage, the Mundelein girl said she knows that's not the case.

"Now I realize everyone goes through this," she said.

The camp gives kids the chance to talk with bereavement counselors and medical professionals who can address some of their questions about life, illness and death.

Wolf said seeing the campers rally behind each other is a great aspect of the program.

"They are all super supportive of each other," Wolf said.

Some of the heavier issues were balanced with usual camp activities like ballgames, swimming, boating and rock-climbing.

"It was really fun," said 15-year-old Amanda Bourque from Round Lake. "I loved the canoeing."

Crystal Lake's Elizabeth Harrison, whose husband died last year, decided to send her three kids to Camp Courage.

"They were just pretending everything was normal," Harrison said.

She also liked that the camp offered activities for parents, too, like musical therapy sessions, journaling workshops and a relaxation program.

"I wanted this to be a family experience," Harrison said.

This was the first year parents played an active role in the camp.

"We wanted to make sure they had a camp experience, too, and that we offer them the same support," Wolf said.

Though there were plenty of activities designed to get the kids thinking about their emotions, Harrison said the counselors did a great job of not putting on too much pressure.

Hospice's Cathy Fine, who spent the week as a camp counselor, said the kids come a long way in four days.

"There is a lot of growing and bonding because they do have that common link," Fine said.

One highlight was a visit by several members of the Chicago Rush arena football team, including head coach Mike Hohensee.

He said the team got involved in the program through his wife, Deb, a hospice nurse. The Rush held a special fundraiser for the camp during one of the team's games earlier this year.

"I think the camp does a great job of helping (kids) through the healing process," Hohensee said while signing autographs and taking pictures with kids.

Through donations from the AptarGroup Charitable Foundation, Schaumburg AM Rotary Club, Palatine Jaycees and the Chicago Rush, the camp was free of charge to participants.

Wolf said this year's group was the largest in the camp's 14-year history.

• Hospice of Northeastern Illinois is a community-based, not-for-profit organization serving families throughout McHenry, Lake, Northwest Cook, Kane, Boone and DuPage counties. Visit HospiceAnswers.org or call (847) 381-5599.