what is a bereavement camp

 

Bereavement camps are a magical experience for children and teens who are grieving the death of a special person. These programs offer traditional, camp programs, that include "child and youth friendly" grief centred activities & special memorials for campers to share and learn from one another in a supportive environment.

Bereavement camps are a place where, in a very short time, peer support unfolds as campers can make lifelong friends who share similar journeys. These camps help participants recognize that they are not alone in their experience, which in turn, serves to normalize their experience.


The benefits of our programs are numerous, including identifying coping skills, increased resilience, as well as creating a connection to new friends who they can reach out for long after camp is over.

We are proud to share a variety of bereavement camp experiences, each of which offers their unique brand of friendship, support, smiles and fun.

We encourage you to explore the different types of camps available.

Camp Bridges, Prairie Mountain Health

  • Street
    150A 7th Street
  • City
    Brandon
  • Province
    Manitoba
  • Postal
    R7A 7M2
  • Email
    Carla Mitchell, Camp Bridges
  • Website
    Camp Bridges, Prairie Mountain Health
  • Phone
    204-578-2310
  • Contact
    Carla Mitchell
  • Services
    Camp Bridges is a grief camp for children 7-15 years old in Manitoba who are grieving the death of someone significant to them.  Camp Bridges will be held on May 23, 24 and 25th, 2025 at Circle Square Ranch near Austin MB.   Camp Bridges will provide a safe environment where the campers have opportunities to interact and share their feelings with other children in similar circumstances. They may learn to understand their grief, recognize that they are not alone, and that their feelings are normal. The camp is not designed to provide grief therapy, but we will acknowledge the loss and grief, honour memories, and have some fun, too.
  • Relationship to Camper
    Any child who is grieving the death of someone significant to them
  • Location served
    Camp is open to any child from Manitoba, primary area served is the Prairie Mountain Health Region.
  • Return campers
    Yes, return campers accepted
  • Age restrictions
    7-15 years of age
  • Camp Location
    Camp Bridges is held at Circle Square Ranch, Manitoba
  • Cost
    Free for children to attend
  • Financial Support
    Donations accepted (receipts provided)
  • Transportation
    Parents transport the child to camp
  • Day/Sleepover
    Sleepover program
  • Duration
    3 Days 2 Nights
  • Language
    English with bilingual staff
  • Timing
    Annually in May
  • Instagram
    @Prairiemthealth
  • Facebook
    Prairie Mountain Health
  • Twitter
    @prairiemthealth

Camp Carousel Island

  • Parent Organization
    Nova West Island
  • City
    Beaconsfield
  • Province
    Quebec
  • Email
    info@novawi.org
  • Website
    Nova est Island
  • Phone
    514-695-8335
  • Contact
    Meghan Harnum
  • Services
    We offer biannual one-day bereavement camps which take place over a weekend day.
  • Camp Location
    Cap St. Jacques
  • Cost
    FREE
  • Financial Support
    an "In Memoriam" donation on behalf of their loved one would be appreciated.
  • Timing
    a weekend bereavement camp is offered twice a year, spring and fall
  • Other
    During this weekend, an experienced counsellor and qualified volunteers will offer support and advice to help them in the healing and growth process of their grieving. Several activities are offered, such as recreational sports, crafts, campfires, breakout sessions, a remembrance ceremony, including release of butterflies.

Camp Circle O' Friends

  • Street
    901 1st Avenue North
  • City
    Saskatoon
  • Province
    Saskatchewan
  • Postal
    S7K 1Y4
  • Email
    cfriends@sasktel.net
  • Website
    Camp Circle O' Friends
  • Phone
    306-374-2802
  • Services
    Services:Support group offering camps for children with cancer as well as bereaved siblings aged 6 - 18.
  • Age restrictions
    6 - 18
  • Facebook
    Camp-Circle-O-Friends

Camp Erin Toronto

  • Parent Organization
    Gilda's Club Toronto
  • City
    Toronto
  • Province
    Ontario
  • Email
    Camp Erin Toronto
  • Website
    Camp Erin Toronto
  • Phone
    647 957 2267
  • Contact
    Jodi Pereira
  • Services
    Camp Erin Toronto is a free, weekend bereavement camp for youth who are grieving the death of a significant person in their lives. Children & teens ages 6 to 17 attend a weekend camp experience that combines grief education and emotional support with fun, traditional camp activities. Led by bereavement professionals and caring volunteers, campers are provided a safe environment to explore their grief, learn essential coping skills, and make friends with peers who are also grieving.
  • Instagram
    Camp Erin Toronto

Camp Keaton Hamilton

  • Street
    277 Stone Church Rd. E
  • City
    Hamilton
  • Province
    Ontario
  • Postal
    L9B 1B1
  • Email
    kturco@kemphospice.org
  • Website
    Camp Keaton
  • Phone
    905-387-2448 ext 2205
  • Contact
    Kat Turco
  • Services
    Camp Keaton Hamilton is a free annual bereavement camp for children and teenagers, ages 7 - 17 years, who have experienced the death of a someone. Camp allows children who have experienced the loss of a significant person in their life to come together, work through bereavement activities in a camp environment, grieve, mourn and make connection.
  • Facebook
    Camp Keaton Hamilton

Camp Kedooopse

  • Parent Organization
    Brigadoon Village
  • Street
    5523A Young Street
  • City
    Halifax
  • Province
    Nova Scotia
  • Postal
    B3K 1Z7
  • Email
    info@brigadoonvillage.org
  • Website
    Camp Kedooopse
  • Phone
    1-888-471-5666
  • Contact
    Krista Naugler
  • Services
    (Family Program/Kids only program/Teen Program/Young Adult Program) Kids only
  • Relationship to Camper
    Sibling, Parent, Guardian, Primary Caregiver
  • Location served
    Atlantic Canada
  • Return campers
    Yes, return campers accepted
  • Age restrictions
    Ages 9-18
  • Camp Location
    Annapolis Valley
  • Cost
    Pay-as-you-can
  • Transportation
    No
  • Day/Sleepover
    Sleepover program
  • Duration
    6 Days 5 Nights
  • Language
    English
  • Timing
    July 23-28
  • Instagram
    Brigadoon Village
  • Facebook
    Brigadoon Village
  • Twitter
    Brigadoon Village

Camp Skein

  • Parent Organization
    Maple Leaf
  • Street
    132 Reynolds Street
  • City
    Oakville
  • Province
    Ontario
  • Postal
    L6J 3K5
  • Email
    info@campmapleleaf.ca
  • Website
    Camp Maple Leaf
  • Phone
    905-338-5200
  • Contact
    April Young
  • Relationship to Camper
    Parent or Sibling
  • Location served
    Ontario (Open to children across Canada).
  • Return campers
    We encourage campers to return year after year. Many will grow up to become staff for the whole summer
  • Age restrictions
    Turning 7 in the calendar year and up to 16 for leadership programs
  • Camp Location
    Ennismore, Ontario Other: Private Island on Pigeon Lake in the Kawarthas (20 Minutes from Peterborough).
  • Cost
    Pay what you can (up to $1300.00 total)
  • Financial Support
    Yes
  • Transportation
    Yes, from centralized locations
  • Day/Sleepover
    Sleepover
  • Duration
    Days 6 Nights 5
  • Language
    English (we have bilingual French speaking staff)
  • Timing
    July 21 - 26, 2024
  • Other
    We are located on a private island. Our campers find support through fun and friendship in a tradition waterfront camp environment. Our bereavement specialists (From the Seasons Centre for Grieving Children) provide extra support through hands-on, child- friendly, grief activities that makes up approximately 20% of the week's traditional camp schedule.
  • Instagram
    Welovecampmapleleaf
  • Facebook
    welovecampmapleleaf

Camp Stepping Stones

  • Street
    Box 250
  • City
    Gimli
  • Province
    Manitoba
  • Postal
    R0C 1B0
  • Email
    campsteppingstones@ierha.ca
  • Website
    Camp Stepping Stones
  • Services
    Children and Adolescent weekend grief camp ages 7 to 17
  • Location served
    Interlake Eastern Region
  • Return campers
    Campers can only apply 2 times but may only be accepted once depending on circumstances
  • Age restrictions
    7-17
  • Camp Location
    Camp is hosted at Camp Arnes
  • Cost
    N/A
  • Financial Support
    Our camp is all donation funded
  • Transportation
    No
  • Day/Sleepover
    Sleepover
  • Duration
    3 days 2 nights
  • Timing
    First weekend in June
  • Other
    Virtual age appropriate activities will be mailed out to the campers in June

Caring Hearts Camp

Coping Adventure Camp

  • Street
    1740 Blair Rd
  • City
    Cambridge
  • Province
    Ontario
  • Postal
    N3H 4R8
  • Email
    coping@copingcentre.com
  • Website
    The Coping Centre
  • Phone
    519-650-0852
  • Contact
    Roslyn Crichton
  • Services
    Grief and bereavement support programs for children, teens, young adults and adults. Also offering summer camp programs for children.
  • Relationship to Camper
    Yes
  • Location served
    Ontario
  • Return campers
    Yes
  • Age restrictions
    10-17
  • Camp Location
    Cambridge
  • Cost
    $395/week
  • Financial Support
    Available
  • Transportation
    No
  • Day/Sleepover
    Sleepover
  • Duration
    English
  • Language
    English (we have bilingual French speaking staff)
  • Timing
    July
  • Facebook
    theCopingCentre

Grande Prairie & District Grief Support Association: Camp Heal-A-Heart

  • Street
    10031 103 Avenue
  • City
    Grande Prairie
  • Province
    Alberta
  • Postal
    T8V 1B9
  • Email
    circleoflife@telus.net
  • Website
    Camp Heal-A-Heart
  • Phone
    780-539-5432
  • Contact
    Jamie Tissington
  • Services
    Summer camp for children& youth experiencing changes and loss, ongoing support and follow up throughout the school year.
  • Facebook
    Camp Heal-A-Heart

Hope House Community Hospice

  • Street
    350 Industrial Parkway South
  • City
    Aurora
  • Province
    Ontario
  • Postal
    L4G 3V7
  • Email
    info@hopehousehospice.com
  • Website
    Hope House Community Hospice
  • Phone
    905-727-6815
  • Contact
    Julia Zinn
  • Services
    Support for children, youth, and families navigating serious illness, end of life, and grief. Services include individual counselling, group support, family consultation, summer camp programs, and wellness offerings.
  • Facebook
    hopehousecommunityhospice
  • Twitter
    hhchospice

Lumara Grief and Bereavement Care Society

  • Street
    322-198 Island Hwy East, PO Box 809
  • City
    Parksville
  • Province
    British Columbia
  • Postal
    V9P 2G8
  • Email
    info@lumarasociety.org
  • Website
    Lumara Society
  • Phone
    604-553-4663
  • Contact
    Heather Mohan
  • Services
    Individual/Family Grief Counselling, Expressive Arts Therapy, Child/Youth & Family Grief Support Groups, Youth Bereavement Retreats (BC), Family Bereavement Retreats (BC & ON), Professional Workshops, Education & Volunteer Training
  • Instagram
    Lumara Society
  • Facebook
    Lumara Society

Myra's Kids Foundation Family Camp and Weekend Camp

  • Street
    6783 Ashkelon
  • City
    Montreal
  • Province
    Quebec
  • Postal
    H4W 3E4
  • Email
    info@myraskids.ca
  • Website
    Myra's Kids Foundation
  • Phone
    438-346-7989
  • Contact
    Corrie Sirota, Clinical/Camp Director
  • Services
    At Myra’s Kids Foundation (MKF), our mission is to provide a safe place for children to honour and understand how they may be impacted by the loss of a loved one. To this end, we offer a free, non-denominational bereavement camp for children and teenagers, ages 6 to 17, who are grieving a significant death. We provide a traditional, fun, and high-energy camp experience, combined with grief education and emotional support. MKF also offers free monthly support groups for families along with psycho-social support.
  • Relationship to Camper
    Anyone, anyway, anytime, anyhow.
  • Location served
    Montreal and surrounding areas.
  • Return campers
    Yes, all campers are welcome - subject to an interview by the director.
  • Age restrictions
    Program is directed at children ages 6 - 17
  • Camp Location
    Montreal
  • Cost
    FREE
  • Transportation
    Yes, we provide bussing to and from camp
  • Day/Sleepover
    Family Camp 1 day in city, Weekend program 3 nights
  • Language
    English with bilingual staff
  • Timing
    Family Camp is June 14th, 2025 9:00-5:00pm. Weekend Program Meet and Greet is on August 3, 2025. Camp is now 4 days in August 7-10, 2025.
  • Instagram
    Myra's Kids Foundation
  • Facebook
    Myra's Kids Foundation

NB COPES: Camp Copes

  • Parent Organization
    NB Copes
  • Street
    87 Prince William Street, Suite 201-52,
  • City
    Saint John
  • Province
    New Brunswick
  • Postal
    E2L 2B2
  • Email
    mailto:admin@nbcopes.com
  • Website
    NB COPES
  • Phone
    506-271-5241
  • Contact
    Bernadette Skodje
  • Services
    We offer child, youth and family support through a combination of online and in-person activities. We facilitate group sessions that integrate creative processes such as art, music, recreation, play & holistic healing. We have a peer mentor education program. We have two advisory committees 1. Pregnancy & Infant Loss 2. Child, Youth and Family. Camp COPES for Grieving Youth (Fall/Winter). Camp COPES for Grieving Families (Yearly, August) Camp COPES for Families Grieving Loss by Suicide (Spring)
  • Instagram
    NB COPES
  • Facebook
    NB COPES
  • Twitter
    NB COPES

Disclaimer

The Canadian Alliance for Grieving Children and Youth (CAGCY) lists third-party grief support service providers who serve children, teens and their families. CAGCY does not evaluate or confirm the validity or existence of certifications or licenses of any provider. In seeking grief support services and/or counselling, CAGCY recommends you seek qualified independent advice as to the training, certifications, government licensing, and sufficiency of the providers listed here. We aim to update the information in this directory annually and the information provided herein may therefore not be accurate or up-to-date. Please note, the inclusion of a service in this list does not imply that CAGCCY endorses the service and we reserve the right to remove any entry from this directory for any reason. In using this directory, you agree to hold harmless all of CAGCY’s officers, directors, employees, or agents from any and all liability and/or damages arising out of or in connection with your use of the directory or of any of the providers referenced herein. CAGCY has not reviewed any Internet sites linking to this site or the contents of any links contained herein and is not responsible for the content of any linked off-site pages or any sites linked to this site in any manner.

Main Menu