YMCA Day Camp Learns About Grief

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Kids are learning about an important topic dealing with loss at the YMCA day camp.

Genesis Hospice spoke with kids at the YMCA day camp about grief. They discussed how grief can happen to anyone of all ages and the different ways you can deal with it. They were also able to do activities with the kids such as creating a memory box where they can put memories of someone they lost into the box. They also decorated a memory rock, which can be placed in a special area to remember the one they love.

“We’re visiting with them to let them know what grief is and that it does affect everybody. And that grief can be sad but it also can be a healing thing to mourn someone. To bring up some good and positive memories of someone that they have lost and give them an outlet on how they can mourn in a joyful way,” said Volunteer and Marketing Consultant for Genesis Hospital, Heidi Williams.

Williams said that it is important for children to learn at a young age about grief because they can learn that it happens to everybody and there are many outlets to grieving.

“It’s important for them to know that it can affect anybody at any age. To know that it’s a natural, normal thing. And not to hold those sad feelings in and it’s okay to let them out, it’s okay to cry, it’s okay to laugh, it’s okay to have good and happy memories of someone,” said Williams.

If you or anyone you know would like to learn more about grief support and counseling, you can call the Genesis Hospice office, (740) 454-5364.