For more than 15 years, North Alabama children who have lost a loved one have found healing at Camp Hope, a free day camp sponsored by Hospice of Limestone County.

On June 5, campers ranging in age from 5 to 15 spent the day with a team of highly trained volunteers, having fun and working through the painful feelings every child experiences after losing someone special.

Emily Sandlin, the camp’s organizer, said she was thankful they ended up having enough volunteers for each of the 48 campers to have their own buddy throughout the day’s activities. Twelve teens also came to the camp, where they got to work through their grief with volunteers and Hospice staff.

The one-on-one buddy system is key to making the camp a success, Sandlin said.

“Their job for the days is to help a child understand that it’s OK to grieve and have fun at the same time, and to give their full attention to that child to make the day the best day it can be,” she said.

Campers started off their day doing therapeutic activities such as crafts and memory books. In the afternoon, they broke out into groups of boys or girls to swim, fish and play basketball.

By mid-afternoon, the campers gathered in the common area at Camp Helen for a celebration service.

Campers spread their towels on the grass or found a picnic bench where they could take a few moments to write a message to their deceased loved one.

Campers held their messages in sweaty hands as a group of teens played the “Camp Hope” song on the bongos.

Following an encouraging prayer led by Bill Perkins, the pastor of Journey Church, volunteers handed a balloon to each child. Campers attached their messages to their balloons and released them into the sky, watching in awe as they floated toward the heavens.

“We hold that out until the end,” Sandlin said. “It brings together all of the therapeutic activities as well as the fun activities of the day. They are releasing their feelings and honoring their loved ones.”

Campers left the day camp with more than just memories; they each took home a “feelings pillow.”

“We use the pillow as a means for expressing emotion,” Sandlin said. “If you are lonely or happy you can hold it. If you are angry you can hit it. It gives them a healthy way to express their feelings and reminds them of the day.”

Sandlin said attendance was up this year, especially among teens.

“Everything went really smoothly this time around because of our volunteer groups,” she said. “We could not do this without the many people in our community willing to give up six hours of their day to help out children.”