Pathways of Hope Camp Pathways Provides Healing Support for 32 Grieving Children and Teens
Ohio’s Hospice grief camp creates safe space for youth to process loss through outdoor activities and peer connection
Ohio’s Hospice successfully hosted Camp Pathways on Friday, June 20, 2025, at Camp Joy Outdoor Education Center in Clarksville, Ohio, providing 32 children and teens with a supportive environment to process grief while participating in outdoor activities and connecting with peers who have experienced similar losses.
The day-long camp, supported by 44 volunteers and 19 staff members, offered participants a unique combination of therapeutic group sessions and recreational activities designed to help young people express their feelings and realize they are not alone in their grief journey.
“Camp Pathways creates a safe space where children and teens can share their experiences, build connections with others who understand their loss, and simply be kids again,” said a spokesperson for Ohio’s Hospice. “Through activities that combine fun with healing, we help young people develop healthy coping skills while honoring the memories of their loved ones.”
Activities throughout the day included rock climbing, swimming, a ropes course for older children, fishing, canoeing and art projects. The camp experience culminated in an evening campfire featuring a remembrance service followed by s’mores, allowing participants to honor their loved ones’ memories in a supportive community setting.
The camp’s impact extends beyond the single day, helping participants understand they are not alone in their grief and providing them with tools to express their thoughts and feelings in healthy ways. Many children form lasting friendships with peers who truly understand the experience of loss.
Camp Pathways was made possible through the dedication of the camp committee, including Gayle Simmons, Sara Monroe, Lisa Conn, Sarah Ingram, Adrienne Peters, Vince Moncrief, Tosha Reed and Ashley Faun, along with the 44 community volunteers who gave their time to support grieving youth.
Ohio’s Hospice plans to continue offering Camp Pathways next summer, with specific dates to be announced. The camp is offered through the organization’s Pathways of HopeSM grief counseling centers, which provide comprehensive grief support services to all members of the community regardless of whether they have used Ohio’s Hospice services.
For more information about Camp Pathways or other grief support services offered through Pathways of Hope, visit our Children’s Grief Camp Programs page.
