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KINGSTON TWP. — Gabby and Lizi, both 14 and from Kyrgyzstan, were adopted and when they suffered loss, they entered the Grief Camp at The Lands at Hillside Farms. Now they serve as volunteers to help other children.
“They will heal here,” Gabby said of the participants. “These little kids come here and they are happy with the animals. The program is very helpful. They have all been through a lot. When I was here, I was always happy. Kids come here and they feel safe.”
The interaction between grieving children and animals has proven to bring great comfort and healing to participants in the Grief Program at Hillside Farms.
Since 2014, The Lands at Hillside Farms has offered its Children’s Grief Camp to children ages 6 through 14 who have within the last 12 months experienced the loss of an immediate family member through illness, accident, homicide or suicide. The program is also open to children who are in foster care, or who are experiencing life-changing circumstances due to divorce or family addiction.
The Grief Camp runs this week through July 12, and also July 29-Aug. 2, and Aug. 12-16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Chet Mozloom, executive director at The Lands at Hillside Farms, said investing in the children who have tough hurdles early in life is a huge investment in their future independence and welfare.
“This is a significant piece of Hillside’s mission,” Mozloom said. “Here, sustainability means far more than recycling and the environment. Sustainability is a collective of key variables, and children are a priority.”
Suzanne Kapral, director of development and marketing, agreed, saying sustainability begins with an overall strong foundation made up of healthy children, individuals, families and communities.
“All children, regardless of circumstances and abilities, have value, matter, and belong,” Kapral said. “Kids need to believe that and our grief camp is just one way to help them get to that place.”
According to the National Alliance for Grieving Children, children who suffer a significant loss are at a greater risk for depression, suicide, substance abuse, and poverty. Kapral said the goal of the Grief Camp is to help reduce children’s feelings of isolation, loneliness, guilt, anger, fear, stress and anxiety.
Kapral knows the value of the program — she spearheaded the effort to create the Grief Camp because when she was a child, she suffered at the hands of an alcoholic, abusive uncle.
Working with grief professionals and Hillside’s trained camp counselors, children work and play side-by-side with others who are also grieving.
“Comfort can be found knowing that there are others having similar experience and feelings,” Kapral said. “Here, children will learn coping strategies, communication skills, and when necessary, how to say good-bye.”
Participants enjoy
Lindsey Sutton is the director of education at The Lands. She said the program has positive outcomes and she finds that when the children work with the animals, they smile and they feel safe.
“And they get to interact with their peers — other kids who have suffered loss,” Sutton said. “They talk and they discover that whatever happened in their lives is not their fault. They open up and they bond and they stay in touch.”
Participant Landon likes chickens. He said he used to have a chicken he named “Funny Feet.” He said he calls all the chickens at Hillside “Funny Feet.”
“They’re all cute,” Landon said.
Autumn, 7, was cleaning manure from a stall with other children.
“This is disgusting,” she said and then she laughed.
About Grief Camp
Each day includes one-hour grief education sessions as well as emotional support activities tailored to the children’s individual needs. While group sessions and activities are encouraged, they are not required. Children have the acceptance and freedom to process and progress at their own comfort levels.
Campers work alongside staff members, assisting with chores relevant to the operation of the farm. Activities include feeding and watering animals, brushing goats, donkeys and calves, basic barn care, collecting eggs, and a camp favorite — reading to the animals.
Other activities include hiking Hillside’s wooded trail, exploring streams, creating nature-based crafts, and preparing lunches together. The week ends with the children planting a memorial garden behind the greenhouse, followed by a butterfly release.
