Area summer camp set to bring comfort to kids dealing with loss
Apr. 5—In just a few short months, what's standing as an empty campground will transform into a place of solace and healing for children aged 8-14 who have experienced the loss of a loved one to cancer.
"We want to draw the kids together and let them know that they have something in common and that they're not the only one that this has happened," said Tony Martinez, camp staff member.
Located on the Camp Farwesta site in Stewartsville, Missouri, Camp Haven is a new camp designed specifically for children dealing with the loss of a loved one to cancer, and aims to provide a safe and supportive environment to work through their grief and begin the healing process.
Martinez has firsthand experience with the devastating impact of cancer.
"One of the biggest things that I found out through this is that you don't get over it, you learn to cope with it," he said. "Sometimes that coping will last you through the next hour or the day or a couple of days or week, but it can bounce back anytime."
Martinez's understanding of the grieving process hits close to home, as he lost his son, Darin, to throat cancer at the age of 36. He fought for five years before passing away in 2017. He is survived by his wife and two sons.
"The amazing thing about that is he was a teacher ... and he continued to go to class," Martinez said.
Darin's strength to persevere and continue his passions is a driving force for Martinez's involvement in Camp Haven, and he hopes his personal story can help a child who is grieving for the one they love too.
Marketing director Trish Heath said that the camp will also offer workshops on grief and loss, and provide resources for kids to continue the healing process.
"We're calling the motorcycle people and having them come out, and we're having the fire department come out and spray all the kids, which is always funny," Heath said. "Tony has been working with Kansas City Chiefs to try to get KC Wolf. So, there's just a lot of things that were trying to kind of focus everybody on in their area."
This will all be possible with what she calls camp "sidekicks," guides who will be assigned to two kids during the week. In addition, those who have a degree or education background in counseling are needed as well.
"We want those folks to be on campus all the time, because as we all know, when it comes to loss, you never know when it's going to hit you.
Camp will kick off June 9 and run through June 14. Staff hopes to enroll 50 kids into the program.