As the world grieves recent tragedies in Orlando, Our House Grief Support Center hosted Camp Erin-LA in Malibu on June 10-12 to provide grieving children with a weekend of healing activities.
The camp was open to children and teens ages 6-17 who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling or guardian over the past three years. Traditional camp activities — including swimming, arts and crafts, rock climbing, and campfires — were combined with grief support, education and remembrance projects.
Dozens of grief specialists and trained volunteers led the camp, which began with a ceremony on Friday evening where each camper shared about themselves and their loved one who died. Saturday evening’s luminary ceremony gave campers another chance to commemorate their loved ones by writing messages on lanterns that were then floated on the pool.
Camp Erin is an initiative created by The Moyer Foundation — a nonprofit organization established by Major League pitcher Jamie Moyer and his wife, Karen. The camp is named in memory of the Moyer’s friend Erin Metcalf, who died of cancer at age 17.