Deadline Approaching for Youth to Attend State of the Heart’s Camp BEARable

Susan Knouff

The registration deadline is approaching for youth to sign up to attend the State of the Heart Hospice annual Camp BEARable for grieving children. The agency is also seeking volunteers to help at the camp which will be held July 12-14 at the Spiritual Center at Maria Stein. The camp is free and is open to any child, ages six to 15, who is grieving the loss of a loved one.

“It is not necessary for a child to have any association with hospice care,” explained Susan Knouff, Bereavement Support Development Specialist for State of the Heart. Last year, a record 64 youth attended the camp. Of that total, only 11 had any association with hospice care, said Knouff who is also the camp director.

The deadline to register for camp is Monday, July 1. Applications are available at the agency web site: www.stateoftheheartcare.org. Go to the Grief & Loss tab to find the application. Mail that application to: Susan Knouff, 1350 N. Broadway, Greenville, OH 45331.

Camp BEARable is a mix of fun and games mixed with serious dialogue about grief and loss. Each child is paired with a specially trained “buddy” for the weekend. Knouff said volunteers are needed to help in many ways. There is an orientation for volunteers prior to camp. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Susan at sknouff@stateoftheheartcare.org or by calling her at 1-800-417-7535.

This year marks the 13th year for Camp BEARable. Approximately 500 youth have benefited from the camp. State of the Heart cares for patients and families in eastern Indiana and western Ohio who are confronting a life limiting illness. Visit the web site to learn more about the services provided by the nonprofit agency.