Extraordinary Summer Camps Bring Grieving Children Together for a One-Week, Sleep-Away Transformative Experience
Westport residents and sisters Heather Garson and Raleigh Leahy have joined the Board of Directors and Advisory Board, respectively, of Experience Camps, a national non-profit organization (headquartered in Westport) that provides free, one-week camps for children who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling or primary caregiver.
Heather and Raleigh got involved with Experience Camps after dealing with their own loss and deciding to channel their grief into something meaningful and positive to help others.
“Kids who experience the loss of a family member are reminded every day that someone is missing, and the people they interact with every day think they are different and aren’t sure how to talk to them or what they should say,” said Heather and Raleigh. “To be part of an organization that tries to turn a life-changing loss into a positive life experience is a real gift. It’s cliché to say 'if I can change just one person’s life'…but that is the opportunity we are getting by joining the board, so thank you."
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 1.5 million children are living in a single-family household due to the death of one parent. Grieving children are at higher risk than their non-grieving peers for depression, anxiety, poor school attendance and higher dropout rates, isolation, behavioral problems, lowered academic achievement, drug and/or alcohol abuse, incarceration or suicide.
For more about Heather and Raleigh’s story, visit Get to Know Experience Camps’ Newest Board Members.
About Experience Camps
Experience Camps help grieving children feel “normal” and supported through friendship, teamwork, camp activities, and the common bond of loss. It is a safe environment where kids can explore their grief, break the isolation they may feel with their non‐camp peers, and have a whole lot of fun. They have the opportunity to meet and connect with kids who are going through similar challenges while getting all of the benefits of the traditional summer camp experience. In 2018, Experience Camps will have more than 500 campers at camps in Maine, California, Georgia, and New York. For more information about Experience Camps, visit http://www.experience.camp. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter.