Camp Pathways Newark Provides Three Days of Healing Support for Grieving Youth
Fifteen children and teens found connection, support and healthy coping skills during the three-day Camp Pathways Newark, held June 24-26, 2025, at Maennerchor Newark. The camp, offered through Ohio’s Hospice Pathways of HopeSM grief counseling centers, provided participants with a safe environment to process their grief alongside peers who understand the experience of loss.
Supported by 12 dedicated volunteers and five staff members, Camp Pathways Newark offered a comprehensive program designed to help young people develop healthy ways to cope with grief. Through small group discussions, participants shared their stories and used specially designed journals with prompts to explore difficult topics related to loss.
“We believe that this camp is an important service for our community and that it really has an impact on the children we serve,” said our spokesperson. “Grief is not often discussed in our society, so Camp Pathways gives young people a chance to ask questions, share their stories and learn they are not alone in their grief journey.”
The three-day experience included meaningful craft activities, each designed to help process grief in creative ways. Participants created memory stones, decorated kites and lanterns, made drums and engaged in music and movement activities, all tailored to develop healthy coping skills. A highlight of the camp was the grief hike, where campers learned about common emotions that accompany loss and discovered healthy ways to manage these feelings.
Camp Pathways Newark helps build essential skills for dealing with grief while reinforcing that both children and adults struggle with loss. The camp creates a supportive community where young people realize they are not alone in their experiences.
Ohio’s Hospice plans to continue offering Camp Pathways Newark annually, typically during the last full week of June. The camp is part of the organization’s commitment to providing comprehensive grief support services to all members of the community through Pathways of Hope, regardless of whether they have used Ohio’s Hospice services.
For more information about Camp Pathways Newark or other grief support services offered through Pathways of Hope, visit our Children’s Grief Camp Programs page.
