Comfort Zone Camp: Because grieving children need a fun and safe place to go to

Many children are left unaided and unguided following the death of their parents. Relatives may feel at a loss on how to help children who are experiencing grief. Fortunately, Comfort Zone Camp helps create a world where grieving children are not left to mourn alone. Instead, it provides a community that allows children to heal, grow, and lead fulfilling lives.

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Comfort Zone Camp is a nonprofit 501(c)3 bereavement camp open to children who have experienced the death of a parent, a primary caregiver, or a sibling. It transforms the lives of grieving children by understanding their needs, appreciating what they can do, and giving them a voice.

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The bereavement and therapeutic program at Comfort Zone Camp is unique from other therapeutic programs because of the following features:

• Year-round program. Issues may arise any time of the year for grieving children. Thus, the camp provides a strong program and a support community from which campers may draw strength from all throughout the year.
• Free for all children. Children don’t have to worry about the expenses as the program is free for all of them.
• Designed to suit children’s needs. The program is based on how children—not adults—actually grieve.
• 'Little Buddy/Big Buddy’ system. This is a matching system wherein a camper is paired with a volunteer (1:1). The pairing model provides each camper with a dedicated mentor or friend to help in the healing process.
• Opportunities for removing barriers. The camp uses loss to provide children with some ways to meet and bond with other kids who are experiencing the same situation. This makes them feel that they belong, which would help them bid goodbye to loneliness.

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Not all children affected by a death in the family are able to express this grief in the healthy way. At this point in their life, it is as crucial to show them how to do this as much as giving them the love and affection they so need.

Alex von Furstenberg helps children cope with grief by supporting Comfort Zone Camp. Visit this Facebook page to know more of his philanthropic efforts.