Camp Jamie Volunteers Wanted: Make a Difference with Support & Care

Nov 28, 2024 By Hospice of Frederick County

“Everyone experiences loss,” says Camp Jamie volunteer, Elaheh Eghbal. She continues that Camp Jamie “gives kids the tools to cope.” Elaheh, a Camp Jamie volunteer since 2021, says that Camp helps build a supportive community for volunteers and campers.

Camp Jamie is a grant-funded program for grieving children and teens in grades 1-12 that includes at least 4 events per year. It’s the perfect volunteer opportunity for community members who want to help create a safe space for children and teens, who have lost someone special in their lives, to feel supported and to be themselves.

At Camp Jamie, volunteers can support campers through participating in some of the camp activities including arts/crafts, animal-assisted therapy, nature walks, outdoor games, and sharing circle. At overnight camp, volunteers can be assigned as a “Big Buddy” to a camper or as support staff for the grief counselors.

Beth Bittle has been volunteering 8 years and Tom Delaney has been volunteering for 18 years. Both of them describe their experience of supporting their “Little Buddies” as a surprise, and offers a fresh opportunity to engage with someone new. "You never know who is going to walk through that door,” Beth says. Both Beth and Tom speak to the uniqueness of each camper’s experience and their need for different kinds of support. “Some kids want you to listen and talk to them, other times, they’re very quiet and they just need you to be there,” Beth says. “Some kids are very athletic,” Tom says, “and the sports activities help.”

One of Beth’s favorite things about Camp Jamie is that camp activities have helped her feel “like a big kid.” She’s joined campers in papier-maché, bracelet making, birdhouse painting, ziplining and giving piggy-back rides at camp reunions. She always has a blast! Tom echos Beth’s sentiment: “I volunteer at Camp Jamie because it helps kids talk about grief, but it’s also a lot of fun.”