I am a Safe Harbor volunteer, and I'm proud to say I volunteer with my daughter, Gabrielle. Our relationship with Safe Harbor's bereavement support group program began in 2010 when, following the death of our special loved one, my son, we both attended groups. After Michael died of cancer, I knew I needed help and support for my daughter to be able to process all the emotions she was experiencing. We stayed with the program for 2 years feeling less alone and learning how to cope. My daughter became a teen buddy at the bereavement camp and then trained to be a support group facilitator working with young children twice a month. Inspired by Gabby's love of helping others, I came back in 2015 to complete the volunteer training. Volunteering has helped me move forward in my life by helping other families who are in a place of grief I can understand. This is now Gabrielle's sixth year of volunteering and my second, and we both get more from this program than I ever imagined we would. Safe Harbor is a part of the Abington-Jefferson Health System and is located in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. This is my story of a day in the life of a facilitator at Camp Charlie.

Another June means I'm excited to be a part of Camp Charlie again. This annual, weeklong, bereavement day camp is made possible by the many volunteers who devote their time and compassion. The camp is comprised of 75 strong, resilient, and courageous kids ages 6 to 12, buddies ages 13 to 18, and 35 staff/volunteers. They are all different, and yet they are so much alike. The kids have lost a mom, dad, sibling, or caregiver. Summer is supposed to be a carefree and happy time for kids, but it is not easy for these kids who are dealing with profound loss. Thanks to Safe Harbor, they are able to have a safe place to work through their emotions in a healthy way.

As a volunteer, I am witness to tears of sadness as well as the smiles that breakthrough while the kids make friendships that will last a lifetime. Many wonderful activities are lovingly planned to allow the kids to work through their sadness, all the while experiencing joy, happiness, and laughter. Our four main activities the kids rotate through are music, art, drama, and stations.

My work begins before the first campers arrive. I put on my new camp t-shirt with this year's theme logo, "Wish Upon A Star." I am running around all morning making sure the supplies are just right and ready to help create a meaningful experience. When I hear the air horn, it's time to gather underneath our big tent to start the day. All staff members, buddies, and campers link arms; our link is strong, our bond is strong, and we are strong. We recite our daily pledge where we vow to move through the process of our grief together while having fun. The campers are split into groups of similar ages. Each day the groups have a private check-in where the campers and buddies share who they are, who has died, and how they are feeling that day. I am moved each time I hear the children open up about their loss and how they are feeling. I know that the worst has happened, and I am here to help them heal.

After check-in, it's time to move on to their activity of the day: art, music, drama, or stations. This year in art I help them memorialize their special person by creating a big beautiful star. Once they decorate the star with pictures, words, and drawings, I help to insert a small light that gives off a warm and welcoming glow. Then it's time for me to help the kids discuss what special meanings they put on their star and ask where they want to hang their stars when they get home. Some say that they want their star to watch over them in their bedroom while they sleep.

This year, Gabby helps with a very special activity for drama where the kids and buddies create a very powerful film. It is special and unique in that the children do not speak, using their bodies to convey their message. By striking a pose, they are able to show how they felt before and after their loved one died and their hopes for the future. Gabby listens to the campers as they tell their individual stories of their hopes, sorrow, anger, fears, and wishes.

At lunch I sit with other volunteers, and we marvel at the insights we witness all morning from such young children. We enjoy the break but know it's only a quick one. Each day after lunch we have a different activity to bring the fun back.

I love obstacle course day. Our campers are brought together to make up two teams; this year we are the Silver Stars versus the Gold Stars. I get to lead the Gold Star team and give encouragement as the young campers work with their teen buddies to overcome fun team-building obstacles. While the kids are having fun, I am working hard to foster strength and courage. With each activity, we all cheer each other on and encourage each other to hold on, be strong, and be brave. We are all together, never alone, and we work together to come out stronger than we started.

Whew, after all this fun, it's time to end the day. We all head back once more to the shade under the big tent, and I sit with the campers quietly as they try to relax during journaling and reflection time before they all go home. The campers and buddies write down their thoughts about the day: things they like/didn't like, something that was challenging for them, things they were proud of, anything on their mind. I get a few hugs from campers before they head home and feel great.

On the final day we all gather together with the campers' families to share what they created at camp. The stars are hung from the ceiling creating a beautiful and touching memorial, they sing their song from music, and they show their video from drama. During the ceremony, I am emotional watching everyone as we call the names of the loved ones who died. I reflect on the week as I watch each camper and their family come up to hang their ribbon on a chandelier. Once the chandelier is filled with the families' wishes, we raise it up to the ceiling for everyone to admire.

Now all the families are gone and it is time to clean up the camp. Everything disappears and gets put away so quickly, but the pride stays with me. Many volunteers stay to process their experience and we share stories with one another as we give hugs all around.

This camp is so much more than an extended grief group; it is a place where children learn how to recover, be strong again, and to keep moving forward.