Camp Keaton

CAMP KEATON HAMILTON
Friday, June 7th – Sunday, June 9th, 2024

Through outdoor play and activities, Camp Keaton empowers and supports grieving children and teenagers.

Camp Keaton is a bereavement camp for children and teenagers ages 7-17 grieving a significant death. Camp Keaton provides a traditional, fun, and high-energy camp experience, combined with grief education and emotional support. The camp is staffed by bereavement counselors and community volunteers professionally trained by child bereavement experts. This year marks the 8th year of camp.

Children are assigned volunteers, Cabin Big Buddies, whom they will spend the camp weekend with.  Each Cabin Big Buddy must participate in training to prepare for working with the children.  The individual attention that the Cabin Big Buddies provide throughout the weekend is part of what makes Camp Keaton so special.  Cabin Big Buddies are there to offer support and companionship for the campers.

Grief Activity Facilitators support the campers through various activities that allow them to express their feelings.  Activities are planned by our Director and Grief Counsellor.  Each Grief Activity Facilitator must participate in training to prepare for working with the children.  Bereavement experience is an asset.

Since 2013, we have been offering a children’s bereavement camp because we know that children grieve differently and often through play.

"Camp Keaton helped me because I thought I was the only one my age who had lost a family member. Now I feel like I can share my feelings with others."-Carter, age 8