Camp Forget-Me-Not / Camp Erin DC

• Must be between 6-17 years old
• Must have experienced a death-related human loss
• Must live in the metro Washington, DC area
• Must be willing to participate in a virtual interview/assessment
• Must be able to attend full day of camp
• Must be willing to follow camp Health Policies and procedures (including screening and healthy practices) to maintain the well-being of the camp community 

Camp Forget-Me-Not/Camp Erin DC is founded on the belief that every person deserves the opportunity to express their feelings of 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 their own timeframe
• The duration and intensity of grief is unique to each individual
• Caring, listening and acceptance assist in the healing process

Camp Forget-Me-Not/Camp Erin DC Campers will enjoy a full day of traditional camp activities, grief focused groups, and workshops to help them explore a variety of ways to express themselves while developing skills. 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. Meals and snacks will be provided during the day camp. 

All applicants must attend a scheduled virtual interview to assess readiness and appropriateness for this type of therapeutic camp.

• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Must not have been a client of the Wendt Center after February 1, 2024
• Must have experienced a death-related human loss
• Must live in the metro Washington, DC area
• New volunteers must be willing to participate in a virtual and/or in person interview
• Must be able to attend a virtual volunteer training
• Must commit to achieving fundraising goal
• Must submit to a criminal background check, if required
• Must be able to attend full day of camp
• Must be willing to follow camp Health Policies and procedures (including screening and healthy practices) to maintain the well-being of the camp community. Mask-wearing is optional for all participants and is a supported choice 

Fundraising is a part of your commitment to being a Camp Volunteer!

• The individual volunteer fundraising goal is $350 
• Money raised enables the Wendt Center’s Camp:  
  • to be free for all participants (66 campers expected in 2024) 
  • to offer three, one day, in-person Summer grief camps 
  • to expand programming to include families 
  • to facilitate in-person and virtual Fall/Winter family grief workshops (Grieving Families Healing Together program) 
  • to coordinate reunion activities 
  • to pay for food, supplies and materials  
  • the opportunity to provide a meaningful experience for all 

We appreciate your continued commitment and support of DC area’s grieving children and families.

To help better tell the story of campers and volunteers who attended our previous camps, we have gathered a few mini-profiles:

“I was paired with a very energetic and vibrant 11-year-old girl. Her mom got sick and died when she was very young. Although the little girl was playful and fully embraced all the fun activities at camp, she struggled to deal with the grief she had for her mom. She was also learning how to build a relationship with her new stepmom. I could fully relate to her because I also lost my mom from an illness and had to become acquainted with a new woman in my dad’s life.”

“My little buddy last summer was a very quiet and private 13-year-old girl mourning the loss of her father, who died suddenly of a heart attack. Her parents got divorced a few years ago, but she still saw him in the afternoons as he cared for her and her siblings when they got home from school. Not only was she adjusting to not having him there every day, but she was also going to be transferring to a more challenging private school in the fall. She was still adjusting to the changes going on all around her when we met.”

“Our group was made up of all tween boys. They were goofy, playful and hesitant to share, yet all had their stories. Kris’s parents both died before he was 11 years old.  I was particularly blown away witnessing him making his memory flag. Instead of using the prepared picture for his flag, he chose to paint the picture of his loved ones freehand. It was amazing. He was amazing to witness!”

“Alicia is a 7-year-old who lost her father to a homicide last year. She lives with her mother in DC. Alicia is quiet, smart, and quick to laugh or lend a hand. Her buddy was Dianne who does social work in a hospice for her full-time job. This was Dianne’s first year at Camp but had done a similar Camp previously. Dianne‘s sister died in a car accident when she was 11 and her sister was 10.“

“Our group’s youngest girl was Maggie, who is 6. Maggie’s caretaker (her grandmother) died, and she now lives with her mother and two siblings (who were also at Camp) in DC. Maggie bonded quickly with her group, and took the end of camp the hardest. Maggie’s buddy was Marissa. Marissa was the youngest buddy in our group at 25 and this was her first year. Marissa is working towards her MSW so she was well prepared. Marissa’s best friend died in a car accident.” 

7-year-old Kevin misses his older sister who died of cancer. He has also lost a grandmother, a live-in grandfather and an uncle. Kevin is a born comedian and entertained both his fellow campers and buddies with original songs, dancing, and other antics. His buddy was Sean – a first-time volunteer at Camp Forget-Me-Not/Camp Erin DC. Sean’s father died of cancer.

“I marvel at the courage of the kids coming to a camp where they don’t know anybody, and the focus is coping with the death of a loved one.“

“I had a great time and enjoyed an impactful and emotional experience. I loved meeting my buddy and helping her open up about the loss of her mother. My small group was outstanding as was my group leader. The food was great, as was the diversity of activities offered. The art projects were wonderful, as were the confidence course, the therapy dogs, the boat memorial, and the field games. It was a great experience overall, and I plan to return again. Thank you for a wonderful experience.”

“Attending Camp is one of the most incredible experiences I’ve ever had in my life. Providing support to the campers and helping them find some light during one of the hardest times they will face is something I wish I had after the death of my mom when I was 13 years old. Losing a parent or significant person in your life at such a young age is a lifelong grieving and healing process. What camp provides to these kids for their healing journey is truly amazing. Each year that I attend camp, I have always experienced the campers make genuine connections and friendships, and also leave with positive tools and impacts they will carry with them for life. I think my favorite part of camp is that every year by the end, with no hesitation, the campers I spent time with always say how much fun they had (surprisingly for grief camp!) and I get a big hug with a “thank you.”

“Losing my mother was a horrible thing, but as a result of your camp, I am able to build again. What I learned, who I met, children I reached, feelings I felt, the grieving I did, the lives I touched, the tears I cried, the songs I sang and the loss I overcame will always remain. That’s what I will remember forever. It was truly a great experience. Thanks again!”

“Listening to these devastated children and witnessing their strength was the most meaningful part of camp for me.”

“The family dinner was incredible. Many connections between volunteers and families and between families. This new part of camp is simply amazing to be a part of.” 

“I find being at camp to be such a meaningful experience overall. I am so glad that something like camp exists for these kids. It was hard enough going through the death of a loved one as an adult when I had the words to describe my feelings and I can’t imagine what it would be like as a kid. Being part of helping show the campers that grief is OK and that they will be OK is very powerful.”