Barton’s annual 'Camp Sunrise' welcomes volunteers and campers

Volunteers are key to the success of Camp Sunrise, a free bereavement camp for children, and are needed for the camp June 17-19. The Barton Foundation’s annual Camp Sunrise will be held at Galilee Camp & Conference Center in Glenbrook, Nevada.

Camp Sunrise is founded on the understanding that every child deserves the opportunity to grieve in a safe, supportive and understanding environment. This free camp is funded by the Barton Foundation and is a program of Barton Hospice.

Designed for children ages 7 through 14, the camp was created for children who have experienced the death of a family member.

“It is important for children to address and work through their grief in order that their feelings of grief do not “go underground” and begin to interfere in a problematic way with other aspects of their adolescent life,” Rebecca Phillipsen, Barton Health, Licensed Clinical Social Worker said.

The children receive grief education and support from trained counselors and social workers, and they are able to work through any bereavement issues they may have. The weekend is designed to leave them with a more positive outlook for the future.

“There are ways to honor not only the person who died, but our relationship with that person, our feelings about that person and what their presence in our life meant,” she said. “Healthy grieving provides each person with meaning and understanding that allows for healing and increased strength.”

Volunteer opportunities are available for: lead counselor, camp operations staff, camp weaver, musician, story teller, photographer, life guard and nurse.

Residents of South Lake Tahoe, Minden, Gardnerville and the Carson City areas may apply to attend. For more information to volunteer or to register, logon to www.bartonhealth.org/events or call (530) 543-5614.

About Barton Hospice
Barton Hospice is a specialty program providing comfort and relief of symptoms to those who are terminally ill. Hospice care is provided in the privacy of your home, a nursing facility or group home and focuses on the comfort of the patient rather than curative treatments. The Barton hospice team works with each person and their family to determine the most beneficial treatment and how to provide care. This includes the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual care of patients and their loved ones. For more information about Barton Hospice, call (530) 543-5581.