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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.

Wesley lost his 27-year-old daughter in a tragic car accident caused by a texting truck driver.

Wesley lost his daughter Andrea in a tragic car accident in 2011. She was just 27 and expecting her second child. Since then, Wesley has walked alongside his wife Linda on their grief journey, including joint counseling. He attends the retreat to find community, expand his understanding of grief, and support his wife’s ongoing advocacy efforts.

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Victoria lost her son, an Olympic hopeful, who was shot and killed in 2020.

In 2020, Victoria lost her son to a shooting. He was one of the best shooters in the world and an Olympic hopeful. After his death, she began a spiritual journey, working with global mentors like Dr. Joe Dispenza and Tony Robbins. “I created a global movement after my son died,” she writes. Victoria has since become deeply involved in grief programs and hopes to connect with other mothers at the retreat—for their healing and her own.

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Twylla lost her daughter, who lived with special needs and was on a ventilator for 32 years.

Twylla's daughter lived on a ventilator for 32 years, with Twylla providing full-time in-home care throughout her life. Eight months ago, they made the heartbreaking decision to remove her from life support. The loss has been devastating. Twylla shared that her daughter was her world, and without her, she feels lost and without purpose. She and her husband are retired and facing not only deep emotional grief but a drastic shift in daily life and finances. She hopes the retreat can offer some healing and direction in a life that now feels unbearably quiet.

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Tonya experienced the loss of her mother and father

Tonya has endured the deaths of both her parents within a span of several years, beginning with her mother in 2012 and her father in 2020. Managing chronic health issues while processing this grief has made the journey more complex. She is now seeking ways to build resilience. “I hope to gain coping skills,” she shared, as she continues navigating life after loss.

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Terraine lost his grandmother, Iris Reid, to a medical condition

In 2024, Terraine lost his grandmother, Iris, a deeply meaningful figure in his life. While he hasn’t yet sought counseling, he previously attended this retreat and found value in the space it offers. He returns seeking connection, reflection, and continued healing.

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Summer lost her father (83) after a long illness and hospice care in 2024.

Summer was adopted into a loving blended family that fostered over 300 children. Her father, the steady anchor of the home, passed away in March 2024 from cirrhosis complications after entering hospice. “I held his hand as he took his final breath.” Summer, now pregnant, is mourning not just the loss of her dad, but the absence he’ll have in her child's life. Her mother is now raising younger children and a foster grandson on her own. A retreat offers Summer and her family a space to heal, reconnect, and be seen in their grief

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Shamika lost her son, Isaiah (26), to a fatal gunshot in November 2025.

Shamika is grieving the loss of her 26-year-old son, Isaiah Hairston, who was killed by a gunshot. She has attended two therapy sessions but is still early in her grief journey. She is coming to the retreat seeking support, grief support, and “a little peace” as she learns how to live with this loss.

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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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Patrika lost her son, Prophet (19), to homicide in February 2025.

Patrika is grieving the loss of her 19-year-old son, Prophet Thomas-Applin, who was taken by homicide. She has begun seeking support through trauma recovery group counseling and individual counseling at OSU, but the loneliness of this loss has been overwhelming. Patrika is coming to the retreat hoping to find healthy ways to carry her grief and learn how to face life alone for the first time.

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Mike lost his wife, Sherry, to colon and brain cancer in March 2025.

Mike lost his wife, Sherry, in March 2025 to colon and brain cancer. The pain of that loss is compounded by layers of past grief—he is also adopted, lost his adoptive mother, and is a cancer survivor himself. “I’ve been cancer-free for 12 years,” Mike shared, but now he faces the emotional toll of grief without her. He hopes this retreat will help him process not only Sherry’s death but the loneliness and emotional weight that has followed.

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Michelle lost her 28-year-old daughter, Danelle, to murder in 2020.

Michelle is grieving the loss of her daughter, Danelle, who was murdered at age 28. She has received counseling but has not participated in other bereavement groups. She is coming to the retreat hoping to receive some pointers on how to deal with her grief.

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Mary lost her son, Simon, in January 2026 due to respiratory failure following a complex long-term medical history.

Mary recently lost her son due to respiratory failure, following a complex and long-term medical history. His passing is very recent, and she comes to the retreat without previous support programs or therapy—only the hope of learning how to navigate this grief and, in time, offer support to others walking a similar path.

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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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Maddie has experienced multiple family losses in a short time, including her grandmother, father, aunt, and grandfather.

Maddie is grieving the recent loss of her grandmother in September, on top of the loss of both her father and aunt to overdose in the same week, and her grandfather the year before. She’s received professional support and engaged in residential and PHP therapy, as well as participation in the GRASP community. Maddie hopes the bereavement retreat offers her space for connection and acceptance. “I’m looking for some acceptance and a sense of community.”

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Lori lost her father (78), brother (64), and mother (83) within a short time, while also grieving other close loved ones.

Lori was still grieving her father when her brother and mother died. In addition to those losses, she has also lost a cousin and a close friend. She is in therapy and has participated in Grief Share and Grief 2 Hope. Lori is coming to the retreat hoping to gain helpful tools to navigate her grief journey as she continues facing ongoing loss.

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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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Linda lost her 27-year-old pregnant daughter in a car accident caused by a texting truck driver.

Linda lost her daughter Andrea, who was pregnant with her second child, in a tragic car accident caused by a texting driver. Since that life-altering moment, Linda has become a writer, author, and advocate for grief support. She’s participated in multiple support groups and continues her mission of helping others find hope. She joins the retreat to deepen her education, connect in person, and continue honoring her daughter through advocacy.

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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.

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Josiah lost his 26-year-old brother, Isaiah, to a fatal gunshot in November 2025.

Josiah is grieving the loss of his older brother, Isaiah, who was killed by a gunshot at age 26. He has not yet received professional support and is coming to the retreat with his family. His hope is simple and honest — to be able to talk.

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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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Joe lost his father-in-law (78) and mother-in-law (83), both after ongoing health issues.

Joe shared that he was very close with both of his in-laws, and their deaths hit him and his family very hard. He has attended a few counseling sessions but has not participated in other bereavement groups. Joe is coming to the retreat to gain tools to work through his grief and to prepare for the journey ahead with his own mom.

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Jodi lost her beloved husband, Seldon, in December 2025 due to Streptococcus A

Jodi lost her beloved husband, Seldon, in December to complications from Streptococcus A. The pain is fresh, and she is just beginning to face the depth of her grief. Without professional support so far, she’s coming to the retreat in search of understanding and guidance: “Help with going forward without him,” she writes simply. This is her first step toward healing, surrounded by others who understand what it means to lose someone you love.

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Jeremiah lost his 26-year-old brother, Isaiah, to a fatal gunshot in November 2025.

Jeremiah is grieving the loss of his brother, Isaiah Hairston, who was killed by a gunshot at age 26. He has not yet received professional support and is attending the retreat with his family. He is coming with one simple hope — to find peace.

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Hope lost her 19-year-old son, Justin, to murder

Hope lost her 19-year-old son, Justin, to murder in 2016. Since his passing, she has sought support through counseling and bereavement programs including Grief 2 Hope and Grief Share. Hope comes to the retreat seeking continued grief support and connection.

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Heather lost her mother suddenly to a heart attack in September 2024

Heather lost her mother, Evelyn, to a sudden heart attack. They spoke every single day—about everything. Her mom was her rock. The loss was unexpected and came just as they were planning a special family trip, one of the only things her mother had said she wanted. Now, Heather says she feels completely lost. She’s in therapy and seeking help wherever she can, hoping this retreat will help her process her grief and find a way forward.

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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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Crystal lost her mother after a 20-year fight with congestive heart failure.

Crystal shared that her mother’s first heart attack happened when Crystal was only 10, and after a long 20-year battle with congestive heart failure, she passed away. Crystal says she never had the chance to stop and grieve, and then her grandmother died just three weeks later after a fall. With two young children at home and limited income, Crystal is carrying the weight of loss while trying to keep life moving forward, hoping this retreat can finally give her space to grieve and begin healing.

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Cammie lost her 32-year-old daughter in 2019 and her husband of 20 years in 2025—both to heart attacks in their sleep.

Cammie lost her daughter Ashley, 32, to a heart attack in her sleep in 2019, leaving behind three children she now helps raise. In 2025, she lost her husband Ron, 59, the same way—also in their home. She attends weekly trauma therapy and talk therapy and has participated in Grief Share through her church. Cammie says she wants to live again—to laugh and smile without fear, to release the guilt she carries.

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Barbie lost her special-needs sister after years of caregiving.

Barbie lost her sister, Kimberly, after years of acting as her full-time caregiver and legal guardian. Following a series of traumatic events that began with assaults and hospitalizations, Kimberly’s health declined until her passing. Barbie has been immersed in advocacy work ever since, even founding a nonprofit in her sister’s name. While she’s participated in grief counseling and art therapy, Barbie shared that caring for her sister began shortly after losing her father—and she never truly had space to process either loss. She’s attending the retreat in hopes of finally beginning that journey.

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