PRESS RELEASE: July 9, 2007 For Immediate Release
MEDIA CONTACT:
Beverly Crowl, Public Relations Specialist
Tel: 302 547 1816
Em: bcrowl@delawarehospice.org
The magic of Delaware Hospice’s Camp New Hope.
Delaware Hospice’s Camp New Hope has once again worked its magic in the lives of the 45 children who attended the camps, held June 25-28 at Lums Pond and June 26-29 at Bridgeville United Methodist Church.
Children arrive at camp, much like other children arrive at a typical summer camp; however, at Camp New Hope these campers are struggling to carry their heavy personal burdens of grief.
Campers come from either families who have been in Delaware Hospice’s care program or from the community, and Camp New Hope offers a safe and healing environment that helps normalize the grief process for them.
From the first day of camp, the elephant in the room--which is their personal grief--is identified and discussed. Children gather into age groups led by a Delaware Hospice counselor, and an adult “Camp Buddy” trained volunteer is assigned to every child.
Each day, Camp New Hope features individual and group projects focused directly on their loss and their emotions. Each bereavement activity is then balanced by a traditional camp activity which helps the campers have fun and release energy, such as water games and sports.
Camp New Hope offers these special children the opportunity to be with peers who do know what they’re going through and with whom they can speak freely, as everyone is in the same situation.
Guest speakers, including a nurse, chaplain, and funeral director, visit Camp to talk with the campers and encourage them to ask questions.
Children learn coping skills, how to grieve in a positive way. They learn to let go of the guilt that may be affecting their emotions, to channel their anger into healthy ways, and to share their story about their loss, which is critical for the healing process.
The magic transformation that campers undergo is most evident the final day of camp when a Memorial Service is held to honor the loved ones. The campers’ families, Delaware Hospice staff and volunteers are present at the service to show their support. Each camper stands up, shares his or her story and memories and their memorial project which they created for their loved one. After the service, a memorial tree is planted in remembrance of their loss.
Camp New Hope is made possible through fundraising efforts in the community, donations of materials and food, and the incredible commitment of volunteers—some of whom take vacation time from their jobs to attend Camp.
Delaware Hospice would like to recognize the generosity of two community fundraising events held last year specifically for New Hope: the Bear Trap Dunes Holiday Home Tour and Golf Tournament, held in December 2006, and the American Legion Post #28 Women’s Auxiliary Variety Show held in February 2007.
The generous sponsors of Camp New Hope in New Castle were: Brother David Schlatter, Light Action, Brandywine Electronic, Family & Friends of Mary Hempel, Family of Phyllis Lann, Al O’Neil, Personal Ponies, and Wawa.
Camp New Hope in Kent and Sussex Counties was supported by sponsors: Nathan Bunting, Bridgeville United Methodist Church, Dominos Pizza of Bridgeville, Jimmy’s Grille of Bridgeville, Lowes of Lewes, Open Heart Studios of Rehoboth, Pasqualini’s Bakery of Rehoboth, All Seasons Garden of Dover, Subway of Georgetown, Stan and Laurie Vonasek, and Wawa of South Dover.
To learn more about New Hope, call 1-800-838-9800, write to newhope@delawarehospiceorg, or go to www.delawarehospice.org.
About Delaware Hospice
Since 1982, Delaware Hospice has provided exceptional care and support to 26,000 patients and their families. Its mission is to help each patient, each day, live the fullest, most comfortable life possible. Delaware Hospice is the largest and only licensed, nonprofit, community-based hospice serving New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties in Delaware and southern Chester and Delaware counties in Pennsylvania. For more information about Delaware Hospice’s programs and services, upcoming events, or employment opportunities, call 800-838-9800 or visit our website, www.delawarehospice.org.
PHOTO CAPTION 1: “Camp Buddies” Katie Cassidy, Kim Stanton, Alice Williams, and Kerry Alphin guide Camp New Hope children and teens through four days of work and play.
PHOTO CAPTION 2: Camp New Hope volunteers Bobbie Macy from Camden, Marian Van Den Meydenberg from Laurel, and Nancy Toler from Ocean View prepared food each day for 20 hungry campers.
PHOTO CAPTION 3: Campers Devon Mosley, Dover, and CJ Baker, Harrington, discuss the memory boxes they’ve created with Camp New Hope Coordinator for Kent and Sussex Counties, Lezley Sexton.
PHOTO CAPTION 4: Courtney Betts makes a new friend at Camp New Hope’s petting zoo.
Delaware
Hospice is accredited by JCAHO.
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