HAMLET - Summer camp is special, but a summer camp to help children deal with the grief and loss of a loved one is extremely special. Last week, 26 students from Richmond Community College’s Associate Degree Nursing program volunteered to work with Hospice of Scotland County’s weekend Camp Spinoza held at Camp Monroe. Six stayed overnight.

“It’s a grief camp for children from five to twelve who have had someone pass away during the past year,” said ADN Student Sandra Warren of Gibson. “We fed the children breakfast, participated in a praise and worship session and played with them in a group and on a one-on-one basis. It was interesting to watch the counselors go through the process of teaching children how to cope with loss.”

Holly Singletary of Rockingham understands the difficulties the children face and appreciates the camp. She lost her sister and her niece attended the camp in the past.

“It gives them time to get their mind off their grief. The counselors taught them strategies on how to live with grief. It was interesting to see how going on a nature walk provided opportunities to talk about different things. As a student nurse, I think the opportunity to participate made me appreciate the different ways people cope with loss,” said Singletary.

Before attending the camp, the nursing students had just completed a unit on grief and loss. A few students admitted they found some personal healing during the sessions.

“Everyone is affected differently by death,” said Angie Capel of Rockingham. “During a praise and worship session, one child broke down during a song. I have lost family members and could relate to what the children were feeling. It was very uplifting. There was a butterfly release at the end of the camp. The children didn’t think it would work, but were thrilled when it did.”

Hospice of Scotland County Clinical Office Manager Sue Ellen Parrish said the nursing students were a tremendous help.

“We could not have done it without them. We had 48 children and usually have 23 or 24. They made a real difference,” she said.

Tammie Slaughter, Director of Clinical Operations for Hospice of Scotland County, agreed with Parrish.

“Aside from helping us, I think it provided a valuable experience to the students. They really did not need a lot of direction and picked up on everything quickly. They were all very flexible. For one weekend, they became Hospice. We hope this is the beginning of a long relationship between RCC and Camp Spinoza,” said Slaughter.