Otterbein SeniorLife
Youth Bereavement Camps
Our Mission
Supporting Grieving Children & Teens
Our mission is to support grieving children and teens by normalizing the experience of grief and demonstrating that fun is an essential part of healing. We are proud to offer two bereavement camps for school-age children and teens who have experienced the loss of a loved one: Camp Braveheart and Camp Echo.
About Camp
Camp Braveheart & Camp Echo
Campers will engage in various activities, including small group discussions, healing art programs, and other sessions focused on grief. Both camps take place at Marmon Valley Farm and are led by a team of trained, background-checked volunteers, such as hospice professionals, social workers, and nurses.
The most valuable takeaway for campers is the opportunity to connect with others who have experienced similar losses, which helps them feel less alone in their grief.
Camp Braveheart
- Description: 3-day camp (not overnight)
- Ages: 6-13
- Dates: Wednesday, June 3 – Friday, June 5, 2026
- Time: 8 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
- What’s Included: Breakfast, snacks, and lunch
- Requires: Daily pick-up and drop-off
- Registration opens: April 6, 2026
- Registration closes: May 4, 2026
Camp Braveheart Flyer
Camp Braveheart Brochure
Register for Camp Braveheart
Camp Echo
- Description: Overnight weekend retreat
- Ages: 14-18
- Dates: Fall 2026, Dates TBD
- Time: Drop-off Friday evening & pick-up on Sunday morning
- What’s Included: Meals, snacks, lodging, and activities
- Requires: Transportation for drop-off and pick-up
- Registration opens: TBD
- Registration closes: TBD
Additional Grief Resources
Helpful Websites, Booklets, and More
Find additional resources on grief below, including contact information for Lauryn Pitroff, Director of Grief Camps.
Grief Resource Websites
National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG)
Hero Toolkit – National Alliance for Grieving Children (NAGC)
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)
Tip Sheets
10 Ways to Help a Grieving Child
Helping Teens with Traumatic Grief – NAGC
Helping Young Children with Traumatic Grief – The National Traumatic Stress Network
Tips for Relaxation – Psychological First Aid for Schools
Other Grief Resources
Local Behavioral Health Providers
