You Have the Power to Support Grieving Families & Adults

Make a donation today to give a family or an adult a free bereavement retreat

Camp because I said I would offers bereavement retreats that help grieving families and individuals begin to heal, thanks to the generosity of donors like you. We offer support in two ways:

  • Level 1: Time Away with Family – A no-cost stay in our resort cabins for families who have lost a loved one, offering quiet time together in nature without workshops or guided activities.

  • Level 2: Adult Bereavement Retreat – A supportive retreat for adults that includes guided workshops on mental health and resiliency, along with time to rest and reflect.

Sara lost her best friend to cancer complications and her nephew to an accidental gunshot

Sara is carrying the weight of two painful losses—her best friend Dana, who died from cancer complications, and her nephew Jimmy, who passed from an accidental gunshot wound. Their absence has left deep emotional wounds. Through virtual support groups and therapy, she’s been trying to find stability in the chaos of grief. With courage, she’s attending the retreat to gain tools for coping and to better navigate the shame and stigma that can often accompany loss.
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Sara lost her mother to aggressive lung cancer in 2025 and her father to a rare blood cancer in 2018.

Sara has faced the profound heartbreak of losing both of her parents to cancer. Her mother’s battle was especially sudden, lasting only seven weeks from diagnosis to her passing in June 2025. Having navigated these losses at a young age, Sara has been dedicated to her recovery through therapy and specialized support groups at the James Cancer Hospital. After attending the retreat last year during the height of "brain fog," Sara is returning with a clearer heart and mind. She is seeking this experience to process the deeper layers of her grief that she wasn't ready to reach before. Her goal is to continue building the resiliency skills that will not only help her heal but also empower her to share the strength and wisdom she has gained with the world.
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Rosemary lost her mother to a sudden heart attack in 2004, when she was just 8 years old.

Rosemary has been navigating life without her mother for over twenty years. Having experienced such a significant loss at the age of 8, she has carried that weight into adulthood without ever finding a specialized support program that felt right—until now. Encouraged by her friend Sara, who found life-changing healing at a previous retreat, Rosemary is attending to finally begin formally processing the death of her mother. She is seeking the retreat as a safe space to learn resiliency skills and to connect with a community that understands the unique journey of those who have lived the majority of their lives in the shadow of loss.
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Marcie lost her son, Sgt. Donovan, in an accident at age 24

Marcie’s son, Sgt. Donovan Holliday, was only 24 when his life was taken in an accident. She describes him as “an amazing, impactful young man” and carries the weight of all the roles he filled—Marine, father, husband, son, and more. Marcie attends weekly therapy and has found some support through GriefShare and Compassionate Friends, but the pain remains. She’s coming to the retreat seeking support and guidance—hoping to find a way to keep living without deepening the ache she already carries.
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Lois lost her only daughter, Amy Beth, in December 2025 after a spinal cord injury led to pneumonia and sepsis.

Lois recently lost her only daughter to complications from a spinal cord injury. The grief is fresh and heavy, but she finds strength in her faith. While she hasn’t yet participated in bereavement support programs, she is turning to this retreat for coping skills and connection. “Being with others who understand the grief I feel” is something she hopes will bring comfort in this difficult chapter.
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Julie lost her 30-year-old son, Nathan, to suicide in 2021.

Julie is honoring the memory of her son, Nathan, who is "forever 30." Since his passing in September 2021, Julie has navigated the complex and painful journey of suicide loss, previously seeking support through grief counseling to help process this profound change in her family's life. Julie is attending the retreat to find a renewed sense of strength and guidance as she continues her journey of healing. By stepping into a dedicated space for reflection and connection, she hopes to gain new perspectives and the tools necessary to move forward while holding Nathan’s memory close. She looks forward to being part of a community that understands the unique depth of losing a child.
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Juan lost his 20-year-old daughter to gun violence in 2020

Juan lost his daughter, Alexandrea, to gun violence in 2020 when she was just 20 years old. Since then, grief has lived quietly inside him, heavy and ever-present. While he hasn’t had access to professional support, he hopes this retreat will offer space to release the pain and anger he's held for so long. He’s attending alongside Cynthia, Alexandrea’s mother, to find stillness, support, and the tools to carry his daughter’s memory forward with more peace.
$700 of $700 raised
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John lost his nephew Jimmy to an accidental gunshot

John is grieving the sudden and tragic loss of his nephew Jimmy, who died from an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound. The shock of that moment has rippled through his life, prompting him to seek space for reflection and healing. John is attending the retreat in hopes of processing his grief and finding connection with others who understand the pain of such a loss.
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Faith lost her 82-year-old mother, Carol, to dementia-related conditions in 2023.

Faith is honoring the memory of her mother, Carol, who passed away in October 2023. Navigating a loss tied to dementia brings a unique kind of grief, and Faith has been proactive in her healing journey over the past few years through consistent counseling and various support groups. Faith is attending the retreat to deepen her understanding of the grieving process and to gain fresh wisdom and tools for her journey. She is looking forward to the opportunity to share her experience with a community of others who truly "get it," finding strength and insight in a space dedicated to reflection and mutual support.
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Donna lost her 29-year-old daughter to an accidental fentanyl overdose in 2024.

Donna is navigating the profound heartbreak of losing her daughter, who passed away in March 2024. Beyond her own grief, Donna is also supporting her two grandchildren as they grow up without their mother. She has been dedicated to her healing, attending bi-weekly therapy and participating in support groups to help her family process this tragedy. Donna is attending the retreat to find a sense of peacefulness and to discover new ways to manage her ongoing journey. A deeply personal goal for her is learning how to encourage others to talk openly about her daughter; she hopes to find the tools to ensure her daughter’s name and story continue to be shared. By joining this retreat community, Donna seeks a supportive space where her loss is acknowledged and her daughter’s memory is honored.
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Danielle lost her 40-year-old husband, Ronald, to a heart attack in late 2025.

Danielle is mourning the sudden loss of her husband, Ronald, who passed away in November 2025. Facing the reality of being widowed at a young age, Danielle has already begun seeking community through a widow support group to help navigate the early, difficult months of this life-altering transition. Danielle is attending the retreat with a powerful goal: to find a sense of hope and the motivation to start feeling better. She is seeking the tools and perspective necessary to "take back her life" while learning to live alongside her grief. By joining this retreat, she hopes to find a balance between honoring Ronald’s memory and discovering a path forward in her own journey of healing.
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Cynthia lost her 20-year-old daughter to gun violence in 2020

Cynthia is grieving the loss of her daughter, Alexandrea, who died due to gun violence in March 2020. Even years later, she continues to carry deep sadness and is seeking space to relax, release anger, and begin healing. Through therapy, group support, and the ACE Project, she has taken steps forward, and she hopes this retreat will offer peace, connection, and a chance to breathe again.
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Cheyenne is seeking a space to heal after the profound loss of her mother

Cheyenne’s loss shook her to the core, leading to a period of great instability and many personal sacrifices. Despite these challenges, she has remained dedicated to the slow and steady work of rebuilding her life for the sake of her child. Cheyenne is attending the retreat to finally find a space to breathe and to be surrounded by the support she needs. She is looking for the opportunity to focus on her own well-being and to continue her journey of restoration in a safe, understanding environment. By connecting with this community, she hopes to find the strength to keep moving forward for herself and her family.
$0 of $1,500 raised
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Amy lost her 54-year-old husband, Mark, to undiagnosed heart disease in 2025

Amy is mourning the sudden loss of her husband, Mark, who passed away in March 2025. Navigating this unexpected tragedy has been a difficult and isolating journey, and this retreat will mark Amy’s first experience with formal bereavement support. Amy is attending the retreat to connect with others who truly understand the weight of losing a spouse. She hopes to find healthy ways to process the complex emotions that follow such a sudden loss, specifically looking to address the anger and guilt that can often arise. By joining this community, she seeks the tools and peace necessary to begin navigating her new reality.
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