Losing a loved one can be very difficult, even more so for children and youth. With that in mind, Nova West Island held its twice-yearly weekend bereavement camp for the 20th time in 10 years this past weekend at Parc-Nature du Cap St. Jacques in Pierrefonds.
“Joy can co-exist with sorrow.” With this in mind, the campers’ program included small groups working through their grief as well as creative activities, games and outdoor activities. It concluded with a heartfelt closing remembrance ceremony with the release of butterflies. Children and youth from 6 years old to 17 years old were given opportunities for growth and healing as they made their way on their grief journeys.
Carousel Program Coordinator, Carol Jonas, involved since the beginning says there’s a reason the camp is held in a nature park; “Because I believe nature is healing and also because children when they’re together, learn and commiserate with each other.”
That certainly seems to be the case for Prathna Kanthasamy of Pointe-Claire. She first attended the camp when she was 11 years old, a few years after her father died. “People like me who were following the same journey understood each other’s pain.” She later became a junior camp counsellor and is now a camp counsellor. “I am beyond blessed to help others as much as it helped me.”
At NOVA West Island, experienced, caring, and dedicated professional staff and volunteers work together to improve the quality of life for vulnerable adults, youth and families in: Baie d’Urfé, Beaconsfield, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Dorval, Île Bizard, Île Perrot, Kirkland, Lachine, Pierrefonds, Pincourt, Pointe-Claire, Roxboro, Senneville, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Ste-Geneviève and Terrasse-Vaudreuil.
Our mission is to address the unmet needs of communities through the development and delivery of professional, innovative health services.
NOVA West Island offers a range of services at no or minimal cost through the financial support of individuals, foundations, corporations, municipalities, community groups and through fundraising activities. Our programs include:
- Palliative Home Nursing Care (cancer/ALS)
- Bereavement Support for adults and children
- Adult Day Centers for adults with cognitive deficits
- Home Support
- Support groups for caregivers (ALS and Alzheimer)
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CAMP CAROUSEL CONTACT:
Carol Jonas, BA, MEd, CT
Program Coordinator 514-695-8335 #210
