OHIO VALLEY — Holzer Hospice is planning for its fourth annual Camp Beaver, which is a bereavement camp for children who have suffered a loss. The two-day camp will be held on Friday, July 19 and Saturday, July 20 at the Ohio Valley Christian Assembly Camp, 39560 Rocksprings Road, Pomeroy, Ohio.

The camp provides an environment where children, ages 6 to 17, are able to come together with other individuals who have experienced a loss in their life. It gives them a place where they are free to express their feelings. The activities that are held during the camp are designed to generate thought and enhance discussion about campers’ emotions in a non-threatening manner.

Camp Beaver was started after Sharon Shull, RN, MSN, director of Hospice, experienced a loss and observed her granddaughter grieving through it.

“It only made sense to see the need that we could provide locally to our children and have Hospice sponsor it,” Shull said.

The camp is provided at no cost to participants and is fully funded through grant dollars and generous contributions from local businesses and community members.

Volunteers who help facilitate the camp and the activities include registered nurses, social workers, chaplains, counselors and adult/teen volunteers. According to national statistics, childhood bereavement is far more common than many realize. One in nine children lose a parent, friend, sibling or pet before the age of 20. The loss can also be through divorce or other circumstances.

Holzer Hospice was developed in 1994 to meet the need for palliative (comfort) care among local communities. Holzer Hospice serves patients in Gallia, Jackson and Meigs counties, as well as portions of Lawrence, Vinton and Athens counties.

For more information about the camp and how to apply for a child to attend, please call Hospice at 740-446-5074 or 1-800-500-4850. If anyone would like for a representative to speak to their organization about the camp, contact Hospice in advance to arrange a time.