Camp REACH OUT
What is Camp REACH OUT?
R.E.A.C.H. O.U.T.
Remembering Everything About Coping, Hope, Openness, Understanding and Trust
Camp REACH OUT is an annual weekend camp for children living in Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties, ages five to high school age, who experienced the death of a loved one.
Allowing children to share their feelings of loss with others, camp is offered to not only hospice families but to any child who has lost a loved one. Over three days children engage in experiences that will combine healing with fun, allowing a safe space for children to express and learn about grief.
Why Camp REACH OUT?
The death of a parent or loved one is life-changing and children aren’t always equipped with the necessary skills to cope with the difficult emotions of grief.
Camp REACH OUT has been developed specifically with the needs of grieving children in mind. Activities at camp teach coping mechanisms so they can process their grief through interactive games, yoga, ropes courses, drum circles, and even art.
Camp REACH OUT
All children need to be surrounded by love, especially those who have recently experienced the death of a loved one. Chapters Health System recognizes the special needs of these children and created our annual camps for them. We are always looking for camp volunteers to assist with these multi-day sleepover retreats for children.
Held at cabin retreat locations in beautifully wooded Florida locations, hospice staff members and dedicated volunteers are assigned to age-categorized cabins to chaperone and assist with group discussions and provide support. All camp staff members, including volunteers, undergo background checks and receive comprehensive training prior to the weekend camp. Applications will be open in May 2024 for the camp, which will take place Friday, October 11 to Sunday, October 13, 2024.
Anyone who volunteers at camp comes away from the weekend with a total sense of accomplishment for the supportive healing provided to campers. Attendees participate in traditional camp activities such as swimming, arts and crafts, and team sports. However, there are specific exercises built into the weekend, which help the campers cope with grief and rebuild trust and self-awareness. There are typically 80 – 100 children who participate annually. We look forward to being able to hold this event again and see the lives of countless more children changed.
To become a volunteer at one of our grief camps for children and teens, please complete this online application: or call 727.816.3647.