Trellis Supportive Care Rowan to offer one-day grief retreat

Published 6:09 pm Thursday, July 11, 2019

SALISBURY — Trellis Supportive Care Rowan is offering a one-day grief camp for children.

Camp Carousel is designed to bring light in a dark time for rising first- through 12th-graders who are grieving the loss of a loved one.

The retreat will be from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 2 at the Rowan County Fairgrounds.

Activities will include small-group sharing, creative arts therapy, and animal-assisted therapy.

“Our hope for Camp Carousel is to offer opportunities for campers to have a safe and supportive environment to share about their loved ones,” said Susanna Lund, an art therapist and licensed counselor for Trellis Supportive Care Rowan.

Grief can affect the whole individual — body, mind and spirit.

The goal of the camp is to “use art therapy, music therapy and play as a way to help children explore feelings, share memories about their loved ones, gain coping tools for death related loss, identify support systems, and instill hope for the future,” Lund said.

Campers will work in small groups with trained volunteers and master-level counselors.

“We know that fun, meaningful activities, as well as the chance to tell stories, can foster connection and deepen the healing process,” Lund said.

At the end of the retreat, a closing ceremony will welcome the families and loved ones of the campers.

The camp is free, but donations are welcome.

For more information, visit www.TrellisSupport.org or call 704-637-7645.