#camperinboston

[baluva]

Camp Erin Time Again!

One of my favorite things to do in the summer is volunteer for Camp Erin: Boston.

The Moyer Foundation’s Camp Erin program is a nationwide camp focusing on childhood bereavement.

I love volunteering for Camp Erin, in part because I lost my father when I was a child. Grief is a very isolating feeling and it’s incredible that campers can find others their age who also had a loved one die.

Baluva’s “The Hike” necklace was created in memory of my father. Proceeds from sales go to support The Moyer Foundation’s Camp Erin program.

Check out The Hike necklace here!

[baluva]

Camp Erin Breakfast!

One thing I am really excited about is volunteering with Camp Erin.

Camp Erin is a bereavement camp for children and teens. As someone who lost her father at a young age, I would have loved attending this camp.

I recently met up with one of the camp’s volunteers, Pam. She has been an incredible resource for me and I look forward to seeing her every camp session. Her compassion, energy, and enthusiasm for Camp Erin is evident in everything she does. And I was incredibly touched this year when she came and gave me a Camp Erin quilt - I officially felt like I was part of the family!

Meeting up with Pam has made me very excited for this summer’s Camp Erin session! The Moyer Foundation is such an amazing organization and it’s such an honor to work with them.

Click Here for Baluva’s “The Hike” necklace - proceeds go to The Moyer Foundation’s Camp Erin Program!

[baluva]

Why I Still Go to Summer Camp

I volunteer at two camps during the summer, leading bead-making activities, and I’d like to shine a spotlight on both of them.

The Moyer Foundation’s Camp Erin program is the largest national bereavement program for kids and teens grieving the death of someone close to them. This is a cause incredibly close to my heart because I lost my father when I was a child. I wish I could have had the support network Camp Erin provides. It’s such an amazing feeling to know you are not alone in your grief.

Camp Dartmouth-Hitchcock is a one-week summer camp experience for children with rheumatic diseases. I grew up with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis and went to this camp for a few years. This was the first place I went where I could meet other kids with Juvenile Arthritis and know I was not alone.

When I left Camp Dartmouth-Hitchcock every summer, all I really had were memories, a few trinkets from friends, and the t-shirts they would supply us with. I had nothing substantial to hold onto and I wanted to give campers an opportunity to leave with a piece of camp that they could use when they need a reminder that they are not alone.

I love both these communities and I think the work they do in uniting campers is incredibly powerful. The first time I went to “arthritis camp” was the first time I learned I was not alone and that I had people I could call on who would know exactly what I was going through.