Written by Scott Rowe
One child in every classroom will experience the death of a parent or sibling before they graduate. Young people are often left in the shadows due to the impact of grief by thinking they have to be strong or suppressing grief so others don’t feel their discomfort.
This journey can be debilitating, lonely, confusing and cause withdrawal but local peer support group Angel Families has found a way to empower a group of children facing these life experiences.
For the first time teenagers battling the loss of a brother, sister or parent were invited to come together for a four-day Angel Families Siblings Camp to meet others facing a similar journey of grief and loss.
Based at Camp Pialba in Hervey Bay, 25 children aged 11-18 connected, made new friends and revelled in a plethora of activities from a full-day boat trip to K’Gari, movie night, beach day, family fun day, yoga, abseiling, colour run, gel blaster, snorkelling, tubing, swimming, craft, equine therapy, a candle-lit remembrance ceremony and even a water fight with local fire-fighters.
Angel Families camp co-ordinator Jess Lane said the four-day adventure was not only life changing for the attendees but the volunteers and charity partners.
“Getting to know these kids, their stories and then to watch them connect, grow and form the most beautiful friendships has been something truly spectacular.
“For some it was the longest period of time away from their parents or caregivers since their tragic loss so it was always going to be difficult – but they were all amazing.
“Connecting over their shared loss and grief by doing new things together has been awesome.”
The Siblings Camp was visioned with four objectives, provide empowerment and fun, grief and peer support, building friendships and lasting connections.
“We are so proud to say that we achieved them all.”
Angel Families is supported by award-winning local charity Rally for a Cause and is a community of brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers brought together by tragic loss and lived experience.
The camp’s major sponsors were the Hervey Bay RSL and Tedoo which assured there was no cost to the families.
More than 15 Angel Families volunteers helped conduct the camp along with tremendous local businesses that wanted to assist.
“Several of the children expressed to me that once they are too old to attend any future camps that they would volunteer to make sure more kids get the amazing experiences they have had.”
One of the caregivers to two teenage camp attendees also sang the praises of the camp organisers and hosts.
“I can’t say a big enough thank you from the bottom of my heart for this camp. My grandsons have got so much out of it and have now made friends who understand what they are going through. Thank you for everything you did for them.”
The success and outcomes of the initiative has already prompted organisers to start planning the next camp.
A long-time volunteer said it was the most moving event he had attended in the decade since the charity was founded.
“It was better than I could have ever imagined. The connections, the laughs and tears I witnessed was truly amazing and I think we have changed some young lives forever. In the 10 years I have been involved in the charity – well this tops them all.
“It has not only impacted these kids’ lives – but mine as well. Something I will never forget.”
For more information on Angel Families and the charity Rally for a Cause visit www.rallyforacause.org.au