2012 Camp Forget-Me-Not/Camp Erin

Calling All Campers and Volunteers - June 8-10, 2012

Important Dates

Applications for Volunteers & Campers Available Online
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Camp Volunteer Information Session - Wednesday, March 14, 2012

*If you want to become a Camp Volunteer, learn about the application process and Volunteer Opportunities during Camp weekend, please plan to attend this session.

Please click here for registration form. Deadline for Camp Volunteer Information Session registration Monday, March 12, 2012. Registration forms should be emailed to Kecia Hill, Volunteer Coordinator at Khill@wendtcenter.org or faxed to her attention at 202-624-0062..

Camp Application Deadline - Monday, April 16, 2012

Returning Volunteer Training - Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Caregiver Training - Saturday, May 12, 2012
New Volunteer Training - Saturday, May 19, 2012

Camper Criteria

Has never attended a Wendt Center Grief Camp
Must be between 6-16 years old
Must have experienced a death-related loss
Must live in the Washington/Metropolitan area
Must be willing to come in for an interview/assessment
Must be able to attend camp: Friday-Sunday

Newspaper Articles and Live Broadcast

Download Radio Interview about "Bereavement Camps" with Stephanie Handel, Linda Perlis and Sandra Burt of Parents’ Perspective (February 2011) below.
Listen to Part 1

Listen to Part II
Download the Washington Times article about 2009 Camp Forget-Me-Not/Camp Erin D.C.
Read the Washington Post article about 2004 Camp Forget-Me-Not/Camp Erin D.C.
52 Children Attend Camp Forget-Me-Not/Camp Erin DC:
"It was the best camp ever." (2011 Camp Volunteer) Click here for pictures!

You Matter to Us

Love, laughter, learning and leisure are the needs of all children, especially those who have recently experienced the death of a loved one. The camp is not designed as a replacement for therapy but as an enjoyable opportunity to explore grief where a child’s self expression is heard, valued and honored.

Guiding Principles

Camp Forget-Me-Not/Camp Erin DC is founded on the belief that every person deserves the opportunity to express his or her feelings or grief in a supportive and understanding environment. Based on this belief, the guiding principles of Camp Forget-Me-Not/Camp Erin DC are:

Grief is a normal process in response to the loss of a loved one
Each child has the natural capacity to heal in his or her own timeframe
The duration and intensity of grief is unique to each individual
Caring, listening and acceptance assist in the healing process

The Camp Model

At Camp Forget-Me-Not/Camp Erin DC, each camper is paired with an adult buddy for the weekend. Buddies are specially trained volunteers who serve as role models in the grief process and help provide companionship and support to campers. The individual attention Buddies provide campers is what makes Camp Forget-Me-Not/Camp Erin DC so special. Professional licensed therapists and counselors lead several therapeutic group sessions designed to address the age-specific needs of the grieving camper.

Fun Activities

Campers enjoy a weekend of traditional camp activities such as swimming, canoeing, arts and crafts, games and campfire activities. Our camp offers specialty activities which include seining, playback theatre, drumming and music, journaling and meditation, therapeutic art, drama, and the initiative and confidence course. Campers and Buddies sleep in air-conditioned cabins and eat together community style.All the activities are specially designed to help campers express themselves and develop bonds with others. Camp Forget-Me-Not/Camp Erin DC is provided free of charge, except for a $5 non-refundable camper application fee.

All prospective campers are interviewed and assessed for readiness and appropriateness prior to acceptance.

For any camper information call Cynthia Pearson at 202-204-5022 or email .

For any questions concerning volunteer opportunities at the Wendt Center call Kecia Hill at 202-204-5025, email or visit our Volunteer page.

Camp Wish List

• Monetary Donations

• (60) Teddy Bears (12

inches tall-similar

in style)

• Gift Certificates (Giant,

Safeway, Michael’s, AC

Moore, Trader Joe's,

Whole Foods, Walmart

and Target)

• Twin-bed sheet sets

• Cases of bottled water

(8oz)

• Cases of can seltzer water

• Individually wrapped

snacks (assorted chips,

pretzels, fruit bars) –

NO Peanuts

• Fruit - 1 Case each

(bananas, apples and

oranges)

*Delivered to the Wendt

Center on June 7, 2012

• Small Teddy Bears

(various styles) and

Beanie Babies

• Art Supplies (crayons,

glue, glitter, feathers,

permanent markers,

construction paper,

stickers, gems, pipe

cleaners, colored

popsicle sticks, paint,

pony beads, brown

lunch bags)

• Ink pens (all colors)

• Lanyard (all colors)