Where children learn to grieve and heal.

Insider updates from the Camp Erin Department.

Thanks for stopping by the Camp Erin Blog! You will not only find the most up to date info happening with Camp Erins across the country, but also some great resources and applicable information for grieving families.

Camp Erin is the largest bereavement camp in the country - designed for youth ages 6-17 who are grieving the loss of someone close to them. It is a weekend-long experience filled with traditional, fun, camp activities combined with grief education and emotional support — facilitated by grief professionals and trained volunteers from local hospice and grief counseling agencies. Camp Erin is the largest network of bereavement camps in the United States with 36 camps in 23 states. More than 2,500 greiving children and teens will receive the healing experience of Camp Erin this year!


November 24, 2009

Fun, Easy and Yummy Holiday Recipe!

Making fun holiday treats is a great way to start new family traditions and creating times for bonding over the holidays, especially when you are missing someone and times are hard. Below is a fun, easy and inexpensive recipe any age can enjoy!

Ingredients


- 1 bag of Holiday Ring Pretzels (Old Dutch square pretzel’s recommended)

- 1 bag of Hershey Kisses

- 1 bag of plain M&M's


Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Place pretzels on wax paper on cookie sheet. Place one un-wrapped Hershey Kiss on top of each pretzel. Place in oven for 3-4 minutes or until chocolate is soft. Watch close, chocolate melts quickly! Remove from the oven and press one M&M into the center of the chocolate kiss. Place in fridge until hardened and enjoy!


Get creative with all the fun striped Kisses and Hugs that are out there!

Helpful Hints for Grieving Families to Get Through the Holidays


The holidays can be a difficult time for those grieving the death of someone close to them. Whether starting a new family ritual of continuing your favorite tradition, it's important to recognize this time of year can be hard and to prepare yourself for what lies ahead. Here are a few ideas to help you get through while remembering and honoring the person you held dear:
  • Talk with your parent or guardian about ways that you are going to remember your special loved one during the holidays.
  • Start a new family ritual. Go for a walk to look at holiday lights, light a special candle, set a place for your loved one.

  • Visit a local ceramic shop and customize special holiday cups, plates, or dishes to use during the holidays.
  • Write memories of your loved one on scraps of colorful wrapping paper then place them in a clear jar or bowl to put out for a colorful display with meaning.

  • Create a support chain with memories of loved ones written on each link.

Above all, do your best to enjoy the holiday season and take time to appreciate all the wonderful things you have to be thankful for!

(Thanks to contributing members of the NAGC Griefinar: "Strategies for Helping Families Through the Holidays.")

New TMF website officially LAUNCHED!


Time to celebrate!! :) After months and months of hard work and creative thinking, the Foundation's new and improved website is available for all to see!

TMF's Sandy Hawley led a team of web designers and IT experts in creating a modern, sophisticated and user friendly site that really showcases the many aspects of the Foundation. The site was created with the future of the Foundation in mind and will be a staple in commuinicating our mission to the world for years to come. Nice work Sandy!

Take a few minutes to peruse the new site! Satisfaction guaranteed!

http://www.moyerfoundation.org/

November 12, 2009

Dream Catchers - A HUGE success!

Dream Catchers was even more incredible than we anticipated!! $1.25 million raised to benefit Camp Erins all across the country!! In addition to the amazing Dreams offered to the highest bidder, guests in attendance were blown away by the energetic atmosphere, amazing food and new memories created with new friends dedicated to helping grieving kids and teens by supporting Camp Erin.


The thank you's are endless when an event like this comes together flawlessly. From the countless Moyer Foundation staff hours to the Dream Makers across the country who made all the dreams possible to TMF's donors, the new and the loyal, to Karen and Jamie Moyer's unending inspiration and support, the dedication of many led to the nights great success!

To help put things into perspective, $1.25 million will help send more than 2,500 kids and teens to Camp Erin! Pretty awesome!

Click here to read more!


Click here to check out some pictures!