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 Washington DC/Metropolitan 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 Covid 19 camp policies and procedures (including screening and healthy practices) to help reduce the risk of Covid 19 transmission between participants

Camp Forget-Me-Not/Camp Erin DC is founded on the belief that every person deserves the opportunity to express his or her 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 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

For 20 years, Camp Forget-Me-Not/Camp Erin DC offered a 2-night 3-day overnight bereavement camp experience to young people ages 6-17. Campers were matched with adult buddies who mentored them through the grief camp weekend. Due to Covid restrictions and precautions, the camp model will be reformed; however, the Wendt Center’s commitment to providing a safe, fun, supportive environment remains steadfast. 

The day camp will offer traditional camp activities, Trained volunteers will support and mentor campers throughout all activities. Volunteers are specially trained to serve as role models in the grief process and help provide companionship. The individual attention that volunteers provide to campers is what makes Camp Forget-Me-Not/Camp Erin DC so special. Professional licensed therapists and counselors will lead several therapeutic group sessions designed to address the age-specific needs of grieving campers.

Each applicant will be virtually interviewed to assess readiness for this year’s camp. This assessment will measure each child’s needs related to grief and loss. 

Camp Forget-Me-Not/Camp Erin DC Campers will enjoy a full day of traditional camp activities and grief focused 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.

• Applications will be available on May 1, 2021. 
• We will process applications as they are received, so you are encouraged to return your application as soon as possible. Spaces are very limited.
• As our primary consideration is the camper’s need for support, we cannot promise an assignment until we have reviewed all applications.

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

• We are asking you to fundraise with a goal of $350. As in the past, this enables Camp to happen and be free for all campers (45 expected campers this summer).
• At the height of the pandemic, volunteers still committed to fundraising last Spring enabling the Wendt Center to facilitate 13 family camp workshops!
• In 2021, Wendt Center will host 3 one-day in person Camps and 6 virtual family workshops. 
• Money raised enables campers to attend Camp for free, pays for supplies, programming, and gives us the opportunity to provide a meaningful experience for all. 

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

To help you better tell the story of campers and volunteers at past 3-day Camp Forget-Me-Not/Camp Erin DC, we have gathered a few mini-profiles of children and buddies who have attended:

“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.”

“A” is 7-year-old and lost her father to a homicide last year. She lives with her mother in DC. “A” 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 lost her sister to 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, both buddies and campers, 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 lost her best friend 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 buddy at Camp Forget-Me-Not/Camp Erin DC. Sean lost his father to cancer.

“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.”

“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.”

“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 a (semi-adults 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.”