Camp Sunshine is a day camp for children between the ages of 5-12 who are grieving due to the death of a family member or other loved one. Camp Sunshine is available  to children and their family free of charge, however pre-registration is required. The camp is offered to any child who has experienced a loss not only those who's loved one was a High Country Health Care System Hospice patient. Camp Sunshine is held in Ashe, Alleghany, and Watauga counties and normally takes place during June and July. Children are asked to attend only one camp a year and should attend camp in their county of residence.  

Camp Sunshine is focused on helping children learn about their grief with specific activities designed to facilitate this process. If you would like to receive Camp Sunshine information or have additional questions, please call the High Country Hospice office in your county. An application for camp is located to the right in the downloads box.

Ways to Help with Camp

Junior Counselor
Junior Counselors are between the ages of 13 and 18 and are paired with a child and will assist that child in the activities each day. Junior counselors will have the opportunity to process their own grief as well as have times to  debrief and talk about specific experiences each day. Junior counselors are required to go through training Each training session will include a discussion of the stages of grief for children, camp theme, activities, and expectations of junior counselors during camp.  For more information on junior counselors, contact your local High Country Hospice office.

Adult Volunteer
Camp Sunshine is always looking for adult volunteers that have an interest in working with children who are grieving. Adult volunteers will assist in leading camp activities, help with food and snacks, assist with registration and sign out, and/or additional requests of the bereavement coordinator as needed. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer for camp is encouraged to fill out the application for volunteers located to the right under downloads by May 15th, 2010.

Donations
Items, such as craft supplies and snacks, are always needed to make our grief camp a success. You drop off the items listed in the right hand column at your local HIgh Country Hospice office, or you can send a monetary donation specifically for Camp Sunshine that can be used where needed.  Thank you for your support!

2011 Camp Sunshine Dates

Alleghany County
June 21-24, 9am-12pm (9-1 on 24th)
Sparta Lions Club

Watauga County
July 13-15, 9am-4pm
New Watauga High School

Ashe County
July 18-20, 9am-4pm
Westwood Elementary School

Downloads

Camper Application

Adult Volunteer Application

Junior Counselor Application

    Camp Wish List

Ashe County
Jennifer Richardson
jrichardson@hchealth.net
336.246.6443

Watauga County
Jennifer Johnson, MA, NCC
jjohnson@hchealth.net
828.265.3926

Alleghany County
Mary Lee, MSW, LCSW
mlee@hchealth.net
336.372.8018