Camp Nabi and nature-informed therapy bring hope and healing for kids this summer

For children grieving the death of a loved one, summer can be especially challenging, but Camp Nabi offers a safe space where healing and hope take root. Hosted by Chesapeake Life Center, this beloved weekend overnight grief camp returns Aug. 7 to 9 at Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center in Millersville, Maryland, combining comfort, connection and classic summer fun.

Open to children ages 6 to 18 who have experienced the death of a loved one, Camp Nabi provides a supportive environment with a full team of grief counselors and trained volunteers. Campers engage in activities focused on memorializing loved ones, learning coping skills in small groups and using integrative arts to express grief. Of course, classic camp experiences like swimming, field games, roasting marshmallows and ropes courses are also part of the weekend.

To ensure access for families across the Chesapeake Life Center service area, free transportation is provided from one location in each of the counties served: Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, and Prince George’s. The cost is $100 per camper, with a limited number of scholarships available thanks to community donations.

In addition to Camp Nabi, the Chesapeake Life Center offers Children’s Nature-Informed Therapy, a quarterly program designed to help kids express emotions and honor loved ones through creative and outdoor experiences. This program is led by certified nature-informed therapist and grief educator Marie Burgess. A licensed clinical professional therapist, Burgess’s love for the outdoors and playful spirit make her a natural. The next session is from 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 13, on the John & Cathy Belcher Campus, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, Maryland.

For children needing more personalized support, individual and family counseling are also available, helping families navigate grief together.

To register for Camp Nabi, the Children’s Nature-Informed Therapy session, or to inquire about counseling, call 1-888-501-7077, email griefinfo@chesapeakelifecenter.org or visit chesapeakelifecenter.org.

(Aug. 3, 2023) Middle school campers take part in field activities at Chesapeake Life Center’s Camp Nabi held at Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center in Millersville, Maryland. Photo by Elyzabeth Marcussen, Hospice of the Chesapeake

(Aug. 8, 2025) Marie Burgess, Licensed Clinical Professional Therapist, Certified Grief Educator and Certified Nature-Informed Therapist, also volunteers at Camp Nabi

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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. For details, visit www.chesapeakelifecenter.org.