Reflections on the development of a therapeutic recreation-based bereavement camp for families whose child has died from serious illness

ABSTRACT

While bereavement camps serve as a support for children, this study examines a therapeutic recreation-based camp for families who have lost a child. The study triangulated documents, researcher reflection, and staff interviews to highlight the themes of Searching & Finding, Getting to Know, Finding the Balance, and Joining. Developing opportunistically through internal and external factors, the camp’s evolution represents a closing of the loop, from supporting families of living children to also supporting the families of children who have died. Understanding the camp’s evolution may facilitate other programs by highlighting the challenges in developing the program and the lessons learned.

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Barretstown for their support of this research and to the staff who took part in the interviews reported. In particular thanks go to Eimear Kinsella for support in accessing the documents.