Kid's Camp
Our annual kid’s grief camp is designed to help children connect with other children to know they are not alone in their grief, achieve opportunities to learn about the reactions and emotions associated with grief, the significance of developing healthy coping skills, and ways to grow through the grief journey by sharing our stories. Our Kid’s Camp is for children between the ages of 4-14 who are grieving the death of a loved one. Thanks to our generous donors, our camp is offered free of charge.
"I learned that there are many people that
understand what I'm going through."
- Pink Team Camper
days until
Kid's Camp
At our 2026 Kid's Camp, hitting grief out of the park required us to...
Team up with others to navigate grief.
Strike out fears and worries.
Catch hope when grief feels overwhelming.
WHEN?
WHERE?
WHAT?
Thursday, July 23 & Friday, July 24, 2026
Hillside Middle School, 775 N Center St, Northville, MI 48167
Children are grouped by age and then rotate through different activity stations over the course of two days. The children also participate in a Hope Huddle each day where they participated in a guided peer discussion about grief and loss.
Kid's Camp Registration Has Closed
To ensure we have the space, staffing, and supplies needed for each camper, registration closed on July 8.
We’re looking forward to an incredible camp with our registered campers and volunteers on July 23 & 24! If you missed registration this year, we’d love to welcome you to one of our upcoming Family Friday events or another New Hope program.
Camp Activities
Our activity stations vary each year, but below are some of our favorite activities we have done in the past. From football to art therapy, we have a wide variety of activities. Each station incorporates a grief-related lesson while still allowing children to have fun and connect with one another. Over the course of two days, each camper group rotates through the stations.
Volunteer at Kid's Camp
Volunteers are the heart of Kid’s Camp and help make this meaningful experience possible for grieving children and families. We offer a variety of volunteer opportunities to match different interests, skills, and comfort levels.
Kid’s Camp Volunteer Registration has closed.
Our 2025 Kid's Camp
Together, we learned that hitting grief out of the park takes teaming up with others to navigate grief, striking out fears and worries, and catching hope when grief feels overwhelming.
Kid's Camp is offered free of charge.
Kid's Camp FAQs
Campers are required to be between the ages of 4-14.
Kid’s Camp is completely free thanks to our generous donors.
Upon arrival, your child will be provided with a colored bandana based on their group color and a camp t-shirt. They will also be provided with lunch, snacks, and beverages. If your child has any dietary restrictions or allergies, please notate that on their camper application. If you choose to pack a lunch for your child, our staff and volunteers will ensure it is stored safely.
If your child requires medication throughout the day, please notate that on the camper application and check in the medication with the registration desk upon arrival.
Recommended Items
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Any personal items clearly labeled with your child’s first and last name
To help campers stay present and engaged in activities and peer connection, we ask that personal technology such as headphones, music devices, gaming devices, and similar electronics remain at home. If a camper brings a cell phone, it should remain on silent and stored away during camp activities, unless needed to contact a parent or guardian.
We recognize that some campers may use headphones or similar items as a supportive tool for sensory regulation or neurodiverse needs. These are welcome; we simply ask that caregivers notify the camper’s group leader so we can best support their comfort and participation.
Children are placed into groups based on their age to ensure the questions and activity variations are developmentally appropriate. Children’s concept of death and responses to grief vary depending on their developmental stage.
While grief exists in many other capacities, our camps and programs are specifically designing for children grieving the death of a loved one.
New Hope Center for Grief Support staff and trained volunteers will serve as camp counselors. Each group will have multiple camp counselors, including police officers and mental health clinicians. Adult volunteers are required to pass a criminal background check, go through a volunteer interview process, and complete our Kid’s Camp volunteer training.
No. Regardless of who or when the child experienced the death of a loved one, they are encouraged to attend camp.
Our volunteers will spend time connecting with your child and encouraging them to participate in our activities. If your child continues to share that they are homesick, we will allow them to place a phone call to their caregiver.
New Hope Center for Grief Support’s camp program is committed to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for all campers. We ask parents/caregivers to review camp expectations and safety rules with their child before camp begins.
Camp Expectations
- Be kind to others
- Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself
- Stay with an adult and follow safety instructions at all times
- Respect other campers, volunteers, and camp property
- Avoid bullying, mean language, or any behavior that creates an unsafe environment
We understand that camp can be a long day. If a child exhibits behavioral challenges, the camp counselors will talk to the child. If the behavior continues, there are designated staff members and volunteers that are available to spend time with the child while they regulate. This may include walking around the park or simply taking a break in the shade. If the behaviors continue and cause physical and/or emotional harm to others, we will reach out to you and determine the best course of action.
New Hope Center uses a three-strike guideline for behavioral expectations. Campers may receive warnings if rules are not followed. After three warnings, a camper may be asked to leave camp. In situations involving serious safety concerns, the three-strike guideline may be bypassed and the camper may be dismissed immediately. Our primary goal to help campers remain at camp and have a safe, positive, and meaningful experience.
We understand that caregivers have jobs and obligations that may make it difficult to drop off or pick up your child at the designated times. If this is the case, please let us know who the designated pick-up person is. Upon their arrival, they will be asked to provide picture identification prior to the child being released into their care.
Volunteers are required to participate in two training sessions prior to camp. The training and orientation will include information on children’s developmental stages and how that impacts their concept of death and common responses to death, how to best engage with the children, and additional information related to children and grief. In addition, logistical details will also be shared.
Volunteers are not licensed clinicians.