The crisp, pine-scented air at Suttle Lake will soon be filled with a unique blend of childhood joy and quiet sorrow. For the 27th year, Hospice of Redmond is preparing to host Camp Sunrise, a three-day overnight camp that offers a lifeline to children navigating the turbulent waters of grief. From June 20th to 22nd, this haven will open its doors to children aged 7-12, each carrying a story of loss. For the first time, teens aged 13-17 will have their own dedicated space for healing, with a day-long Teen Grief Retreat on June 21st.
Last year, camp began with eight-year-olds from Cabin Three attempting precarious splits on the cabin floor, while the discordant notes of an old piano filled the room. With gentle hands, counselors rinsed blue finger paint from a little girl’s hair, a testament to the messy, vibrant creativity that blossomed here. Glue sticks to tiny fingers, and laughter mixes with the occasional tear. Before dinner, a chorus of voices rose in “the blessing song,” hands moving in time with the quickening guitar. Dinner plates, piled high from the buffet, revealed the quirky preferences of childhood: a mountain of black olives on one plate, a collection of lime wedges on another. These were, undeniably, children. Yet, they shared a bond forged in heartbreak, a shared understanding of why they were at camp.
Camp Sunrise, a program born from Hospice of Redmond’s deep commitment to the community, believes every child deserves a safe space to grieve. Referred by schools, families, and local organizations, these children arrive with stories of lost parents, siblings, grandparents, pets, and friends. Some losses are sudden, and a few others are shadowed by the stigma of suicide. But here, campers find they are not alone.
The camp’s carefully crafted curriculum, designed by social workers, begins with a gesture of comfort: each child receives a colorful pillowcase and quilt. They’ll meet their cabin mates and counselors, listen to stories that gently address grief, and participate in activities encouraging self-expression. The first night, around a crackling campfire, they can share their stories if they choose.
The following day will be a tapestry of therapeutic activities. A fashion show, a poignant expression of inner emotions, will transform campers into “clowns,” “tough guys,” or “babies,” each costume reflecting their unique grief journey. They will learn that grief is not just sadness; it can be anger, loneliness, or a feeling of being out of control. The afternoon will be dedicated to creating “power sticks,” walking sticks adorned with memories, and “memory boats” crafted from natural materials reminiscent of their loss.
As twilight falls, candles flicker, casting a soft glow as campers present their power sticks, honoring the loved ones they have lost. The final morning will be a moving procession to the lake, memory boats in hand. Campers will pen heartfelt messages on the paper sails: “I love you, Mom,” “I miss you, Papi.” Then, with a collective breath, the boats will be launched, drifting into the lake’s vastness, a symbolic act of letting go.
When staff ask what they’ve learned, the answers will echo the camp’s purpose: “We all have different feelings, but they’re all okay.” “You don’t have to grieve alone.”
“It is critical for children and teens to have a safe place to process their grief and connect with others their age,” said Jane McGuire, Executive Director for Hospice of Redmond. “We are grateful to the volunteers who share our passion to help and are so giving of their time.”
As this year’s Camp Sunrise approaches, anticipation builds. The promise of new friendships, shared stories, and the simple joy of bunk beds will soon fill the air. For these children, Camp Sunrise is more than a camp; it’s a beacon of hope, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, they are not alone.
If you know a child who could benefit from Camp Sunrise or the Teen Grief Retreat, please visit https://www.hospiceofredmond.org/camp-sunrise/ or call 541-548-7483 and ask for Kat. Camp Sunrise is always free of charge.
Hospice of Redmond also offers a free adult bereavement group on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at their office: 732 SW 23rd St., Redmond, OR.
Donations of time or funds are always appreciated and can be made by visiting, calling, or through the website: https://www.hospiceofredmond.org/ways-to-give-2/