2023 is my 23rd year of being a part of a Wendt Center grief camp. Each year is very different as I work towards creating new innovative and intentional programming for Camp Forget-Me-Not/Camp Erin DC. As always campers will enjoy a full day of traditional camp activities and grief focused workshops to help them explore a variety of ways to express themselves while developing skills and developing bonds with others. This year, we are expanding the camp day and are integrating caregivers and family members into afternoon programming and gathering for a family dinner. Normalizing grief, decreasing isolation, increasing family communication, and strengthening community connection are all goals of these new additions. We want grief camp to not only be beneficial to youth, yet to the entire family system as they navigate grief today, tomorrow and years from now.

Collaboratively with some of my esteemed colleagues, I created and introduced Camp Forget-Me-Not/Camp Erin DC's camp culture statement. I am committed to working towards truly safe and courageous space for all grieving campers, their families, volunteers and staff at camp. "We at Camp Forget Me Not/Camp Erin DC strive for a camp environment that cultivates kindness, compassion, respect, and inclusivity in an intentional and affirming way. Our camp programming is committed to fostering grief exploration, social skills, courage, and understanding in a healing and supportive space. We invite our camp community to preserve a safe and supportive environment that treats all people with dignity and thoughtful regard."

This year with every fiber of my being I will dedicate my camp work to the life of Orli Chaim Wildman Halpern who died at the age of 14, in March 2023. I held Orli when she was born... I held Orli's casket as a pall bearer at her funeral. I will do my best to hold her family and be an "exquisite witness" as we remember, honor and live together.

Please join us by generously supporting this year's camp programming!

The Wendt Center is only able to provide Camp Forget-Me-Not/Camp Erin DC free of charge because of generous donors like YOU!

Check out our 2021 day camps here: https://youtu.be/WdW_nBmHSYo