Camp Good Mourning! is a Huntington, NY 501c3 nonprofit organization that provides FREE bereavement camp programs for Long Island children who are coping with the death of a parent or sibling.
Camp Good Mourning! takes place in a traditional camp setting with one extra special component – Grief Support Groups. Each support group focuses on a different theme including, but not limited to, sharing one’s grief story, identifying and exploring feelings, identifying healthy as well as unhealthy coping skills, and learning ways to stay connected to loved ones even though they are no longer physically with them. Just as important, we encourage campers to stay in touch with new camp friends in between camp to create their own “community of support.”
CGM! is UNIQUE in several ways. It is the only Long Island-based children’s grief camp that:
- Includes an overnight stay. The sleepover component is critical in helping campers to build bonds and forge lasting friendships.
- Operates in the Spring and Fall to fill the gaps in services. Other camps only operate in the summer — but grief is not limited to July and August.
- Offers two camps per calendar year. All other camps offer just one camp experience.
- Encourages campers to attend camp until they age out at 17 because grief changes at each developmental level. Other camps limit the number of times a child can attend.
Camp Good Mourning! takes place at Camp Quinipet on Shelter Island on Long Island, NY. One must take a very peaceful and quiet ferry ride to get there which is metaphorical for leaving behind all your troubles. Camp Quinipet has all-season cabins, basketball courts, gaga pit, low ropes course, volleyball courts, lots of open space for active campers and great views of Shelter Island Bay.
