1st Edition

Bereavement Camps for Children and Adolescents Planning, Curriculum, and Evaluation

    280 Pages 8 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    280 Pages 8 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    Bereavement Camps for Children and Adolescents is the first book to describe in detail how to create bereavement camps for children and adolescents. It is a comprehensive how-to guide, offering practical advice on planning, curriculum building, and evaluation. Readers will find a step-by-step plan for building a non-profit organization, including board development and fundraising, such as grant writing, soliciting businesses, and holding special events, as well as valuable information on nonprofit management and volunteer recruitment. The appendices include a variety of sample forms, letters, and more.

    Introduction 1. Bereavement Camp Background  2. Theories of Childhood and Adolescent Grief  3. Interventions for Bereaved Children and Adolescents  4. Nonprofit Organization and Administration  5. Critical Components of Camp  6. Camp MAGIK and Other Models  7. Evaluation  8. Outcomes of Camp Interventions  9. Former Campers Returning as Volunteers 

    Biography

    Irene Searles McClatchey, PhD, MSW, LCSW, developed a healing camp for bereaved children and adolescents, Camp MAGIK, in 1995. She is actively involved with camp and has published extensively on its efficacy.

    Jane S. Wimmer, PhD, MSW, is retired from a career in child welfare and college teaching. She is a volunteer with Camp MAGIK.

    "Who knew that the horrors of childhood loss—trauma, tragedy, accidents, suicide, family violence—could be addressed head-on with clarity, competence, compassion, and hope? This holistic and sensible guide combines caution with courage, ethics with empowerment, and professional expertise with practice wisdom. While at times necessarily detailed and technical, the authors stake out a well-researched path for the healing and well-being of children, adolescents, families, and ultimately our communities. To those who want to make a pivotal difference in the lives of vulnerable kids and their families: prepare to be equipped and encouraged!"

    Pamela Awtrey Harrington, MSW, LMSW, global child welfare specialist

    "Bereavement Camps for Children and Adolescents is a how-to-guide for those dealing with grief caused by the death of a loved one. The text is practical, applied, and provides best-practice guidelines for child and adolescent grief camps. The reader is offered careful and considerate means for empirical evaluation of camp experiences, which is particularly valuable. The authors’ strong research scholarship gives weight to their clinical expertise. Readers will appreciate the forthright discussion of what works, with whom, and under what conditions."

    Jackson Rainer, PhD, ABPP, board certified clinical psychologist, Atlanta, Georgia

    "Though the authors have considerable experience in one camp model, they fully discuss the plethora of models and curricula available. Now that such a sourcebook is available, it seems irresponsible to plan or run a grief camp without a well-worn copy of Bereavement Camps for Children and Adolescents: Planning, Curriculum and Evaluation by one’s side."

    Kenneth J. Doka, PhD, professor in the graduate school, The College of New Rochelle, and senior consultant, The Hospice Foundation of America

    "The grief camp experience is often called ‘magical,’ yet any camp director can also speak to the level of staffing, funding, and programming expertise required to safely and effectively support youth in the camp setting. Bereavement Camps for Children and Adolescents is a comprehensive resource that demystifies the ‘magic’ of bereavement camps, offering a clear roadmap for providers to implement this life-changing event. The Moyer Foundation is proud to partner with Dr. McClatchey to deliver Camp Erin® in Atlanta and applauds her and Dr. Wimmer for raising awareness and empowering others to utilize this approach to supporting bereavement youth."

    Lisa Willis, vice president of programs and Bethany Gardner, director of bereavement programs, The Moyer Foundation