Magical Moments at Camp Erin
Camp Erin South Florida’s recent weekend program was our first overnight camp of 2022! This session’s Memory Board tradition was particularly memorable for Camp Director Gian Carla Santayana. She shared, “At our last camp in March, we did our Memory Board as we typically have done, but when I had asked for anyone who would like to come up first, ALL, but a couple, stood up and lined up at the front. I was overwhelmed with emotion, especially because the Memory Board is one of the first activities that we do with the campers.”
Throughout the weekend, campers continued to be open and willing to share about their grief, feelings, and experiences. The compounding effects of isolation and heightened anxiety during the pandemic have only emphasized the need for these important camp traditions that help campers work through their grief journeys. Santayana continues, “it truly showed us how our campers have been needing the opportunity to share/talk about their loved one, or the need for this kind of program.”