Write a commentThe Friends Of Hospice In Oswego County, (FOHOC), recently held a celebration on Tuesday, Oct. 29, to commemorate 25 years of their bereavement camp for children, said Elena Twiss, FOHOC executive director
“Camp Waves of Hope (formerly Camp Rainbow of Hope) began serving children of Oswego County Hospice families in 1999 at Camp Hollis on Lake Ontario,” Twiss said. “Since then, it has grown to serve children who have experienced any loss from all corners of Oswego County and beyond. We now serve children ages 5-18 with various program options. Our teens are the big buddies who mentor the younger campers throughout their stay. For the last 2 years we have been holding a day camp for the youngest children ages 5-7, while the older kids stay for 2-3 nights.”
The celebration brought together volunteers, former campers, big buddies, and even a few of the founders of Camp Waves of Hope who were involved since the beginning, Twiss said. “The current planning committee volunteers were acknowledged for their hours of work and preparation to make camp such a powerful experience. There were many memories and stories shared by the group that attended making for a heartwarming event.”
“My grandchildren have been attending Camp for 15 years now,” said Brenda Petrie. “My grandson lost his dad when he was 3, and the year that he was old enough to attend, he came home from Camp and said ‘Wow, I didn’t know there were other kids like me.’ He continued to go until this past year before he left for the army. They wouldn’t continue to go if they didn’t enjoy it and get something out of it. I’m also enthusiastic about the day camp for ages 5-7 and some of my younger grandchildren have been able to attend this camp already as well following the loss of their grandfather. “
Ashley Lawton, Camp Healing Circle Coordinator, said: “It was so nice seeing not only some of the founders of Camp Waves (Rainbow) in attendance but to see some of the very first campers as well. To hear what an impact this program has made on them filled my heart with so much joy!”
“Camp Waves of Hope is such a special and unique program that I am honored to be a part of!,” said Keeghan Mc Sweeney, Camp Waves fun time facilitator, “The way it approaches healing, and the fact that kids realize there are other people out there who have and continue to feel the same feelings, and have had similar experiences surrounding loss, is so impactful, not only to the kids, but to everyone involved in the healing process! Camp Waves of hope is the highlight of my summer every year!”
Friends of Hospice in Oswego County is a volunteer organization that provides financial and non-medical support to individuals, caregivers, friends and families during the end-of-life journey and supports them following their loss. For additional information, visit www.friendsofhospice.org, or call 315-216-7580.
