TAMPA, Fla. — Kids who are dealing with the recent loss of a loved one are getting free support this weekend.
The bereavement camp, Camp Kangaroo, is in Tampa through Sunday.
What You Need To Know
Camp Kangaroo helps kids cope with the loss of a loved one
About 30 kids participated in the Tampa event this weekend
The camp was also held in Hernando and Pasco counties last month
11-year-old Samuel Velez is back for a second year after losing his mom. He will go through eight support sessions over the weekend learning about different layers of loss with the help of music and pet therapy.
“Last year, I had a lot of fun. There were dogs, and they had this volleyball, and they bounced it with their snout, and they would come around to us and let us bounce it too,” he said.
About 30 kids are at this weekend’s camp. The volunteer coordinator said many of them are dealing with a traumatic loss. Counselors will teach them tips and tricks to deal with their emotions in a healthy way.
“Death is not going to go away; everyone we know is going to pass. This certainly won’t be the first loss in their life. So this is a unique opportunity that they get to learn about death, which will follow them forever,” said Kimberly Glem, Volunteer Coordinator for AccentCare Hospice in Pinellas County.
Glem said one of the biggest advantages of the annual event is kids can meet other kids who are also dealing with grief.
“When camp starts, and they realize that camaraderie and they feel less alone, they do open up and they engage in their activities,” Glem said.
Although the dogs were a highlight for Sam, he made relationships that could last a lifetime.
“I made like one really good friend,” Sam said.
Guardians will participate on Sunday to continue the conversation when camp ends.
Camp Kangaroo is hosted in partnership with AccentCare Hospice. The camp is held all over the country.
Last month it made stops in Hernando and Pasco counties.