Chesapeake Life Center announces its 2017 children’s grief programs

The death of a loved one impacts everyone in the family, including children and teens. The Chesapeake Life Center’s family-centered grief support program offers a variety of groups for children and youth. New sessions will begin in January on the John & Cathy Belcher Campus at 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, MD, as well as at the nonprofit’s Prince George’s County office at 9500 Arena Drive, Suite 250, in Largo, MD.

Groups meeting in Pasadena are as follows:

• Pebbles is a play-based support group for children ages 4 to 6 who have experienced the death of a special person that meets from 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays, Feb. 4 and April 1 in Pasadena. The cost is $10 per child; maximum $20 per family. Breakfast is provided.
• Stepping Stones is a monthly support group for children ages 6 to 13 grieving the loss of a loved one that meets from 10 a.m. to noon on the first Saturday of each month beginning Jan. 7 through June 3 in Pasadena. The cost is $10 per child; maximum $20 per family. Breakfast is provided.
• Phoenix Rising is a monthly group for teens ages 13 to 18 grieving the loss of a loved one that meets from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month beginning Jan. 18 through June 21 in Pasadena. A meal is provided along with games and other activities. The cost is $10.

A group also will meet at the Prince George’s County office:

• Grief Out Loud is a support group for children ages 6 to 13 to explore their feelings of grief and heal through shared experience that meets from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays, Jan. 14, March 11 and May 13. The cost is $10 per child; maximum $20 per family.

The nonprofit also announced its dates for Camp Nabi and Camp Phoenix Rising. The annual weekend camp for grieving youth will be held from Aug. 11 to 13 at Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center in Millersville, MD. The camp program allows children and teens to share stories in a safe-environment facilitated by professional and trained volunteers. Lodging, meals, snacks and activities are all included in the one-time registration fee of $100. Need-based scholarships are available.

Registration is required for all programs and can be completed by calling 888-501-7077 or by visiting www.chesapeakelifecenter.org.

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Chesapeake Life Center, a program service of Hospice of the Chesapeake, serves hospice family members and the community with bereavement services and activities aimed at enhancing the quality of life for those grieving the loss of a loved one.