Where Children and Teens Learn to Grieve and Heal

Camp Erin is the largest national grief camp network for youth and families grieving the death of a significant person in their lives.

Camp Erin supports children, teens, and families through in-person day and overnight sessions and online programs. Participants attend a camp experience that combines grief education and emotional support with fun, interactive activities. Led by bereavement professionals and caring volunteers, campers are provided a safe environment to explore their grief, learn essential coping skills, and experience community with others who are also grieving. Additional services are offered to support the whole family outside of the camp experience.

Camp Erin is offered in local communities across the US and Canada through a network of partnerships with grief centers, hospices, and hospitals in, as well as directly through Eluna’s Camp Erin Online program. Camp Erin brings connection and hope to thousands of youth and families annually. Through the support of donors, Camp Erin is offered at no cost.

Find your local Camp Erin program or get to know Camp Erin Online.

Camp Erin allows youth to:

    • Tell their story in a safe environment
    • Process grief in healthy ways
    • Meet friends facing similar circumstances
    • Learn they are not alone
    • Build a tool-box of coping skills
    • Honor and memorialize loved ones
    • Have fun!

The Camp Erin Community

Get to know the magic of Camp Erin through the voices of our campers, volunteers, and camp directors! Check out this and other videos on Eluna's YouTube channel, including this Camp Erin family camp feature.

Are you interested in joining the Camp Erin community? Whether you would like to attend camp as a camper or volunteer or become a Camp Erin partner organization or supporter, please reach out through our Contact Us form. We looking forward to supporting you!

Childhood Grief

Every person grieves differently, as does every child. 

Childhood grief is more common than most realize, and knowing how to talk to and guide a child who has experienced the death of someone close to them can be challenging. It is normal for adults to want to protect children from difficult experiences and information. Unaddressed grief, though, can cause youth to feel isolated and alone, both in their family and from other children. Children who are grieving are at greater risk than their peers for depression, suicide, poverty and substance abuse.

Grief is a natural and normal response to death and a lifelong process. It is made up of many different emotions, thoughts and behaviors. Through understanding, support, and opportunities to freely express thoughts and feelings, children and teens can develop healthy coping skills that enhance their lives. A child’s hope can be restored and they once again can imagine a life full of possibilities.

Eluna strives to increase awareness and provide resources and support for grieving children.

  • 1 in 12 children

    Approximately 6 million children in the U.S. will experience the death of a parent or sibling by age 18.

  • Increased Risk

    Grieving children are at much greater risk than their peers for depression, suicide, poverty and substance abuse.

  • Grief in the Family

    Of the 73,000 children that die in the U.S. each year, 83% have surviving siblings.

Find Your Camp

For camp dates, location, and contact information, click the dot on the map nearest you or your state name below. To register or for questions, please contact the camp partner listed.  Camp Erin is offered free of charge to all families. We look forward to seeing you at Camp Erin!

If you are a hospice, hospital or bereavement center and are interested in bringing Camp Erin to your community, please contact us to learn more about a partnership with Eluna.

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    • Camp Erin Albany
      • Albany, NY
      • September 20-22, 2024 (Youth Overnight Camp)
      • Julia Lebentritt-Soto/Tiffany Smith
      • The Community Hospice
      • (518) 724-0200
      • Email Address
      • Website
    • Camp Erin Atlanta
      • Atlanta, GA
      • October 4-6, 2024 (Youth Overnight Camp with concurrent but separate caregiver camp)
      • Rene Searles McClatchey
      • Camp MAGIK
      • 404-790-0140
      • Email Address
      • Website
    • Camp Erin Baltimore
      • Baltimore, MD
      • August 9-11, 2024 (Youth Overnight Camp)
      • Aneesha Scott
      • Roberta's House
      • 410-235-6633
      • Email Address
      • Website
    • Camp Erin Boston
      • Boston, MA
      • Aug. 17, 2024 (Family Day Camp)
      • Jennifer Wiles
      • Good Shepherd Community Care
      • Email Address
      • Website
    • Camp Erin Chicago
      • Chicago, IL
      • June 28-30th, 2024 (Youth Overnight Camp)
      • Megan Borowski
      • Northwestern Settlement
      • (773) 969-5505
      • Email Address
      • Website
    • Camp Erin Dallas/Fort Worth
      • Dallas, TX
      • June 14-16, 2024 (Family Overnight Camp)
      • Erica Smith
      • Faith Presbyterian Hospice
      • (214) 601-1233
      • Email Address
      • Website
    • Camp Erin Denver
      • Denver, CO
      • August 2-4, 2024 (Youth Overnight Camp)
      • Barb Kamlet
      • Shimmering Wings
      • 720-443-3178
      • Email Address
      • Website
    • Camp Erin East Tennessee
      • Morristown, TN
      • October 4-6th, 2024 (Youth Overnight Camp)
      • Charlene Heck
      • Friends of Hospice
      • Email Address
      • Website
    • Camp Erin Everett
      • Everett, WA
      • Aug. 23-25, 2024 (Youth Camp)
      • Katherine Winbrinck
      • Providence Hospice & Home Care Snohomish County
      • 425-418-8453
      • Email Address
      • Website
    • Camp Erin Hawaii
    • Camp Erin Kansas City
      • Kansas City, MO
      • June 14-15, 2024 (Family Overnight Camp)
      • Amber Grice
      • Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care/Solace House
      • 913-341-0318
      • Email Address
      • Website
    • Camp Erin Las Vegas
    • Camp Erin Lewis-Clark Valley
      • Lewiston, ID
      • July 12-14, 2024 (Youth Overnight Camp)
      • Christy Vollbrecht
      • Willow Center Inc.
      • 509-780-1156
      • Email Address
      • Website
    • Camp Erin Lincoln
      • Lincoln, NE
      • September 27-29, 2024 (Family Overnight Camp)
      • Carly Woythaler-Runestad
      • Mourning Hope Grief Center
      • 402-488-8989
      • Email Address
      • Website
    • Camp Erin Los Angeles
      • Los Angeles, CA
      • August 24, 2024 (Family Day Camp) August 25, 2024 (Family Day Camp)
      • Juliana Sanabria
      • OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center
      • (310) 231-3186
      • Email Address
      • Website
    • Camp Erin Montgomery County, MD
      • Gaithersburg, MD
      • May 3-5, 2024 (Youth Overnight Camp)
      • Eva Cowen
      • CaringMatters
      • 301-869-4673
      • Email Address
      • Website
    • Camp Erin New York City
      • New York City, NY
      • Aug. 23-25, 2024 (Youth Overnight Camp)
      • Ann R Fuchs
      • COPE
      • 914-552-6919
      • Email Address
      • Website
    • Camp Erin Philadelphia
      • Philadelphia, PA
      • June 7-9, 2024 (Youth Overnight Camp)
      • Katie Hartley
      • Penn Medicine Hospice
      • 610-617-2486
      • Email Address
      • Website
    • Camp Erin Portland
      • Portland, OR
      • June 14-16, 2024 (Youth Overnight Camp) October 19, 2024 (Family Day Camp)
      • Christi Crowley
      • Providence Hospice of Oregon
      • 503-953-6745
      • Email Address
      • Website
    • Camp Erin Santa Cruz
      • Santa Cruz, CA
      • May 31-June 2, 2024 (Youth Overnight Camp)
      • Gina Billeci
      • Hospice of Santa Cruz County
      • 831-430-3000
      • Email Address
      • Website
    • Camp Erin Seattle
      • Seattle, WA
      • May 31- June 1, 2024 (Youth Overnight Camp)
      • Alex Tarasar
      • Providence Hospice of Seattle
      • 206-473-8934
      • Email Address
      • Website
    • Camp Erin South Florida
      • Miami, FL
      • June 15, 2024 (Family Day Camp) October 25-27, 2024 (Youth Overnight Camp)
      • TBA
      • Catholic Hospice
      • 954-944-2709
      • Email Address
      • Website
    • Camp Erin South Idaho
      • Twin Falls, ID
      • June 6-9, 2024 (Youth Overnight Camp)
      • April Lopas
      • Because Kids Grieve
      • 208-352-2994
      • Email Address
      • Website
    • Camp Erin Tacoma
      • Tacoma, WA
      • June 7 - 9, 2024
      • Bridges Center for Grieving Children
      • BRIDGES: A Center for Grieving Children
      • (253) 403-1966
      • Email Address
      • Website
    • Camp Erin Tampa Bay
      • Tampa Bay, FL
      • April 12-14, 2024 (Youth Overnight Camp)
      • Daniel Partridge
      • Suncoast Kids Place
      • 813-990-0216
      • Email Address
      • Website
    • Camp Erin Toronto
      • Toronto, ON, Canada
      • May 31-June 2, 2024 (Youth Overnight Camp)
      • Jodi Pereira
      • Gilda's Club Toronto
      • (416)-977-4247
      • Email Address
      • Website
    • Camp Erin Tulsa
      • Tulsa, OK
      • June 7-9, 2024 (Youth overnight camp with concurrent but separate caregiver camp)
      • Lucretia Pardiñas
      • The Tristesse Grief Center
      • 918-587-1200
      • Email Address
      • Website
    • Camp Erin Twin Cities
      • Twin Cities, MN
      • June 21, 2024 (Youth Day Camp) September 21, 2024 (Family Day Camp)
      • Jackie Doncavage
      • Brighter Days Family Grief Center
      • 952-303-3873
      • Email Address
      • Website
    • Camp Erin Western Kentucky
      • Owensboro, KY
      • Aug 2-4, 2024 (Youth Overnight Camp)
      • Caleb Potter
      • Hospice of Western Kentucky
      • (270) 316-9112
      • Email Address
      • Website
    • Camp Forget-Me-Not/Camp Erin DC
      • Washington, DC
      • June 22, 2024 (Day Camp - Ages 6-9) July 13, 2024 (Day Camp - Ages 10-12) July 27, 2024 (Day Camp - Teens)
      • Stephanie Handel
      • Wendt Center for Loss and Healing
      • 202-624-0010 x150
      • Email Address
      • Website

    Bereavement Camp Standards of Practice

    Presented in partnership with the New York Life Foundation

    Created by an advisory committee of bereavement and camp professionals, the Bereavement Camp Standards of Practice offers helpful considerations for a beneficial, safe experience in a variety of bereavement camp settings.

    Topics include:  
    Camp fundamentals 
    Staff and volunteer involvement 
    Health and safety 
    Facility and business 
    Pre-camp assessment 
    Camp and post-camp experience
     
    We hope the Standards will support professionals' work with youth and adults who are grieving.

    Contact Kiri Meyer, Eluna's Bereavement Programs Manager, with questions or suggestions.