Comfort Zone Camp
About Us
Comfort Zone Camp is the nation’s largest nonprofit bereavement camp for children. Founded by Lynne Hughes and her husband Kelly, the camp serves kids ages seven to 17 who have lost a parent, sibling or primary care giver. Since 1998 the camp has helped guide more than 1200 children through their grief, providing a safe, nurturing environment where kids can have traditional camp fun, while at the same time acquire tools to help them cope with their loss. Staffed by trained volunteer counselors, including many grief professionals, Comfort Zone Camp offers one or multi-day camps throughout the year.
About the Camps
Camps typically serve 35-40 children, each of whom is paired with a volunteer “big buddy.” Activities include games, arts & crafts, and small “healing circles” led by grief counselors. A memorial service, which can be attended by campers’ parents and siblings, is held at the conclusion of each camp. Children can repeat in subsequent summers. Special camps just for teenagers also are available.
Where We Operate
Most camps are held in the Richmond, Virginia area, attracting campers from all over the United States. Since the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Comfort Zone Camp has held 11 satellite camps in the New York metropolitan area for 9-11 victims’ children. Comfort Zone Camp anticipates establishing a permanent camp facility in central Virginia, which will be the first of its kind in the nation.
Camp Costs
Comfort Zone Camp is available at no cost to campers. Transportation also can be provided. The camp is funded entirely by donations from individuals, corporations, grants, and other civic organizations, which completely cover the $12,000 it typically costs for a weekend camp. Among the organizations who have generously contributed to Comfort Zone Camp are Discover Financial Services, Bank of America, Capital One and Target Stores.
Volunteers
More than 500 trained counselors help make Comfort Zone Camp possible. These volunteers – social workers and grief therapists as well as stay-at-home moms and corporate businessmen – serve as “big buddies” to campers, who provide them with ongoing emotional support throughout the camp. (Volunteer applications can be found at www.comfortzonecamp.org.)
Comfort Zone Camp
2101 A Westmoreland Street
Richmond, VA 23230
1-866-488-5679 (toll free)
Email: info@comfortzonecamp.org
Website: www.comfortzonecamp.org
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