In the summer of 2022, the Pathways of Hope^SM Bereavement Counseling center held its 29th annual Camp Pathways, a grief camp for kids. The camp included activities designed to help attendees work through their grief and offered campers the opportunity to swim, fish and canoe. 

The success of the camp is due not only to the staff members but also its volunteers. Courtney Mizer and Briana Proffitt, two volunteers at the camp, shared their thoughts on the experience.  

“I enjoyed all aspects of the camp,” Mizer said. “What I enjoyed the most was connecting with the kids and hearing from them how much they gained from the camp.” 

Proffitt also enjoyed her experience volunteering at Camp Pathways. Her inspiration for volunteering was a personal one. “I lost my mom very young, and I felt like I had no one. I felt like no one could relate to me,” she said. “I wanted to participate and be there for the campers the way I wish someone was there for me.” 

She also mentioned how much she enjoyed her experience volunteering. “I honestly cannot wait for next summer,” Proffitt said. “What Camp Pathways does for its campers is amazing.” 

Lisa Conn, director of Camp Pathways, thanked the volunteers who made a difference at this year’s camp.  

“Volunteer buddies are critical to the success of Camp Pathways. Volunteers offer our campers emotional support, walking alongside the camper through their grief and teaching them that it’s OK to be vulnerable and express all your feelings around loss,” Conn said. “Through sharing their own life experiences with loss, volunteers normalize grief and offer hope that life will be good again, and we all have the ability to heal and find meaning from our loss.” 

Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton, an affiliate of Ohio’s Hospice, is a not-for-profit hospice provider. Since 1978, it has served patients and families in the Dayton region in their homes, extended care and assisted living facilities, and the Hospice House location in Dayton. Grief support services are available to the entire community through the Pathways of Hope Grief Counseling Center. Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton serves more than 1,000 patients and families daily, achieving national recognition for innovative services and outstanding care.