Comfort Zone Camp: A Safe Place for Grieving Children
At LeafSpring Schools, giving back to our community is a critical part of our mission and brand. Recently, the DIRECTOR OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND EDUCATION ADVOCACY, Jenna Vasu, spent time supporting one of her favorite nonprofits, Comfort Zone Camp. Read more about her experience below:
It’s 9 am, and a tube of face glitter is making its way around the breakfast table, the girls in my group taking turns adding sparkles to their cheeks. The Camp Friendship Dining Hall buzzes with noise and energy as campers finish up their French toast sticks and fill their water bottles before heading out to the challenge course. Children laugh and jump on each other, a group of young boys weaves in and out of the tables in an impromptu game of tag, and a staff member makes an announcement reminding everyone to wear sunscreen and stay hydrated throughout the hot day ahead. This is grief camp.
I first learned of Comfort Zone Camp in high school from a friend who attended after losing her father at a young age. The campers, aged 7 to 17, have experienced the loss of a parent, sibling, or other significant person in their life. The three-day camps take place on weekends and are currently offered in Virginia, North Carolina, and seven different states, hosting campers from all over the country.
When I first heard about this camp, I had trouble picturing it. I thought of it as a place for roasting s’mores, sing-alongs by the fire, and arts and crafts. But I learned that it was also a place for support groups, called Healing Circles, where the campers come together to share memories of their loved ones and learn coping strategies to help them manage their grief. And that is what Comfort Zone Camp does so beautifully: blending grief support and peer connection into a fun and uplifting weekend that leaves kids feeling nurtured, supported, and a part of a community that understands what they are going through.
Each child (Little Buddy) is matched one-to-one with a Big Buddy who serves as the child’s mentor, participating in all activities throughout the weekend alongside their camper. Over the past year as a volunteer, I have honestly gotten out of my experiences just as much as I’ve put in. After attending three camps, I am constantly amazed to witness the support the children provide one another, the “turbo-bonding” that takes place, and the incredible resilience these kids show as they open up and share their most vulnerable thoughts and fears with people who were strangers just hours before.
During my September camp experience, my Little Buddy and I were in a group with eight other 14–18-year-old girls and their Big Buddies (hence the glitter and sparkles). It was my first time with this older age group, and I learned a lot about how grief can evolve as you age. Some of the girls wanted to share their stories and participate in the discussions, while others were there to listen, learn, and be present with people who understood their loss. The conversations were meaningful, and their grief was complex, with no two people in the group experiencing loss or processing it in the same way. What tied everyone together was their love and support, their shared understanding of the loneliness of loss, and their desire to keep healing in a world without their loved one. The girls comforted one another when they cried, laughed at each other’s funny stories about their loved ones, and bonded over the little things that make up everyday life as a teenager. They passed tissues back and forth, reminding each other of how brave it was to speak so vulnerably. They gave each other the beautiful gift of caring, judgment-free comfort, and kindness.
On the second night of camp, everyone gathers around the bonfire for songs before tossing letters to their loved ones into the flames. There are tears and the evening can feel heavy, but there are also smiles, laughter, and the warmth of knowing that no one is alone in their grief journey. The weekend concludes on Sunday afternoon with a camp-wide Memorial Service, where children honor their loved ones through song, poem, or other creative tribute they choose to share. Families attend this special ceremony and gain a glimpse into the bonds and connections shared throughout the weekend.
Everyone leaves carrying a feeling of belonging. Not just the children and their families, but also the volunteers and the staff who have the honor of hearing their stories and learning from their strength. I leave camp with a reset of priorities and a deep appreciation for my life and the people in it. At the end of the weekend, we walk away with more gratitude, more compassion, and more understanding. And, if we’re lucky, a little extra sparkle in the form of face glitter.
Comfort Zone Camp exists thanks to donations and volunteers, and is also offered to young adults and parents. To learn more or get involved, visit ComfortZoneCamp.org.
