The next Camp Sydney retreat is June 10-12, 2022
at Broom Tree Retreat Center.
*Registration to open February 15, 2022
Camp Sydney
The Lourdes Center is honored to bring a grief camp for children, youth and their families to South Dakota. The grief camp has been named Camp Sydney in memory of Sydney Jones. Her family has graciously supported the naming of this camp in her honor.
What is Camp Sydney
This free two-day camp for children and youth ages 7 -17 will include fun and laughter and offer hope and support as the children and youth participate in a variety of activities including a scavenger hunt, games, art and wood working projects, swimming, camp fire, music, and times for discussion and sharing. There will be prizes, fellowship, and a whole lot of fun!
Parents will have their own grief program they get to attend during the day with breakout times to interact with their children.
The staff at The Lourdes Center and the many volunteers coordinating this grief camp sincerely pray it will be a weekend of hope, healing, new friends, and fun memories.
Why a Grief Camp?
Children and youth grieve when they lose a loved one. They simply grieve differently than adults. It depends on their age, developmental level and their relationship with the person who died. Children and youth often feel no one understands what they are going through. And truth be told, no one grieves exactly the same. Often those who are grieving find healing in talking and spending time with others who are walking through their own grief. It makes them feel less alone. This camp is specifically designed for those great children, youth and their families.
A little about Sydney
Sydney Anne Jones was born on March 22, 1988 to Troy and Mary Jones in Pierre, South Dakota. She graduated from O’Gorman High School in May 2006 and entered Creighton University in September, 2006. She would use her study hall and lunch period to exceed required Christian Service hours at Children’s Care just because she loved her kids. One of her first acts as an adult and college student was to join Big Brothers/Big Sisters and mentor a young elementary girl. Sydney coordinated the painting of a mural at the computer center and repair/maintenance of the computers at Precious Memories Day Care.
Some words from Sydney’s family
When Sydney left, she left a big hole in the hearts of her family, a hole they live with every day. Fortunately, Sydney inspired her family to avail themselves to grieving services and they better carry their sadness and grief today eight years after her death. In life, Sydney saw people in need and responded. She continues to respond today at Camp Sydney because she sees how her family still suffers as they miss her and the need to continually work at better carrying their grief.
The next Camp Sydney retreat is June 10-12, 2022 at Broom Tree Retreat Center.
Call for more information:
[icon name=”phone” class=”” unprefixed_class=””]605-988-3775
[icon name=”phone” class=”” unprefixed_class=””]800-700-7867
