Camp Nabi’s 31st year brings healing and joy to 35 grieving children

For the 31st year, Chesapeake Life Center took over the cabins, pavilions, docks and recreation areas of Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center in Millersville to bring a little peace and a lot of joy to 35 grieving children.

It takes a lot of creativity and many trained volunteers to help make this annual bereavement camp for children ages 6 to 18 a success. Sixty volunteers and 16 Hospice of the Chesapeake and Chesapeake Life Center team members with a passion for helping kids worked from Aug. 7 to 9 and included:

·38 Big Buddies, adult volunteers trained to stay with one or two children for the duration of the camp to guide them through the emotional weekend.

·17 volunteers who were helping at the camp for the first time.

·2 volunteers who attended the camp when they were children.

·4 therapy dogs who provided unconditional love to all the humans involved.

·40 quilts created by Southern Comforters Quilting Guild.

·20 blankets created by Project Linus of Anne Arundel County.

·35 stuffies donated by Pam’s Hallmark.

·1 night of dance music provided by DJ Andy Killen.

All of these numbers added up to a weekend that provided expert grief care for kids and teens experiencing loss with equal batches of laughter and friendship shared with people who understand their loss.

Volunteers helped in a variety of roles, including leading arts and crafts, crabbing, building and guarding campfires, serving as camp nurses, set up and clean up and much more. There were also many individuals, organizations and businesses that helped provide the funds to make this an affordable time for families already dealing with loss, including The Blue Waters Foundation; The Richard T. Brennan Fair Winds Memorial Foundation, Ltd.; Marilyn K. Coffey; Diane M. Dubovsky; and St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, Annapolis.

"None of this would be possible without the generosity of our donors and the dedication of our volunteers," Camp Nabi Director and Chesapeake Life Center Manager Alena Dailey said. "Because so many people in our community chose to give their time and resources, 35 hurting children were able to build new friendships, enjoy a fun-filled summer weekend and connect with other kids who truly understand what they're feeling."

The late Betty Asplund, the founding director of what would become the Chesapeake Life Center, started Camp Nabi in 1982 so that grieving kids could learn they are not alone. With the help of this cadre of volunteers, children and teens share their stories in a safe environment while enjoying fun camp activities.