Alabama Foundation for Oncology


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Good Grief

If you have a child who has experienced a loss, Camp Newsong can be a valuable resource for you and your family. Losing a loved one is always traumatic, and for a child, especially. Camp Newsong is there to help you help your child during this difficult time.

Camp Newsong is a free program open to all grieving children in Alabama. Camp sessions are held at the YMCA Hargis Retreat in Chelsea, Alabama for children ages 6-18.

A Time for Healing

Group sharing, big group games, artistic expression, and art therapy exercises are used to bring children closer to understanding their sorrow and move past it in a supportive and nurturing camp environment. Camp activities, developed and coordinated by trained counselors, promote healing and open the way for discussion about loss from a child’s perspective. During the summer months we may go swimming, canoeing, and paddle boating. During the winter we may go horseback riding and hiking on nature trails. We've even been known to play in the rain! You never know what fun adventures will be awaiting you at camp!

Family Grief Workshop

A family grief workshop is held in conjunction with the Saturday session in April for grieving family members. Participants discuss their own grief and learn ways to help their grieving child. Professional counselors lead the workshop which is also free and open to the public. Participants also receive our Camp Newsong Family Resource Guide with over 50 pages of local and national resources and suggested activities for grieving families.

Camp Counselors and Volunteers

Camp Newsong is a community outreach program of The Alabama Foundation for Oncology that is made possible by the volunteer efforts of professional counselors, hospice social workers, and clergy. The Alabama Foundation for Oncology has joined forces with The Amelia Center (A place of hope for grieving children and families) for our volunteer training. For more information on grief counseling, please contact The Amelia Center at 205.251.3430 or visit their website at www.ameliacenter.org.

Registration and Donation Information

Our camps for 2010 will be on Saturday, May 22nd and Saturday, December 4th. Camps will be held from 9am - 4pm. Registration is required via our Camp Registration Form. You'll also need to complete the Notice and Release for Camp Newsong/Camp Newhope. These documents require Adobe Acrobat, a free download.

Click the following link for directions (opens a pop-up window).

For more information about Camp Newsong, or to make a tax deductible donation, please call or write:

Jen Batson or Sissy Hobbs, Foundation Coordinators
P.O. Box 660833
Birmingham, AL 35266-0833
Phone: 205.877.2224 or 205.877.2225
Fax: 205.877.1821

Alacare supports Camp Newsong