Camp Kerry Ontario

It Seems Like Magic

What happens at Lumara’s Camp Kerry can sometimes feel like magic. These annual family retreats are a place where joy and grief mingle together. Where those isolated by loss connect with people who finally understand them…

Notice of AGM 2022

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) of Lumara Grief and Bereavement Care Society (the “Society”) will take place on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at 11 am PST…

100.3 KM for Quentin

On December 4th, 2021, Mike Sanborn honoured his dear friend, Quentin Liedtke, in an epic rowing event. Proceeds from this fundraiser will be used to provide supports to hundreds of children and families impacted by serious illness, grief and loss through the Lumara Grief & Bereavement Care Society.

Kaleidoscope2021: Canada’s Virtual Grief Convention

Join us from November 19 – 21st while we gather virtually across the Nation as a community impacted by serious illness, grief and loss. Together we will share in three days of connection, inspired learning and hope.

Canadian Children’s Grief Symposium

Participants will have the opportunity to learn foundational concepts, practical tools and innovative methods that will help them to support children, youth and families who are coping with grief and bereavement in their own communities.

Workshops will be delivered by practitioners and educators from across Canada who have extensive experience and knowledge in children’s grief and bereavement care.

Save the Date: Kaleidoscope 2021 – Canada’s Grief Convention

Last year, Lumara – hosted Canada’s very first grief conference, and we are so excited to announce that we will be doing it again in the fall of 2021!

Mark your calendars for Kaleidoscope 2021: A Grief Convention for Families and Professionals happening November 19-21, 2021…

The History of Camp Kerry Ontario

The first Camp Kerry was held in British Columbia in 2007 and it was named after Kerry Kirstiuk; an inspiring young mother and wife from West Vancouver who lost her battle to cancer in 2006.

Our first Camp Kerry Ontario retreat took place in the fall of 2014 but of course the dreaming and planning started many years before that! Our organization’s founder Dr. Heather Mohan was born and raised in rural Ontario. Growing up in a family that valued camping and outdoor experiences, and inspired by her father Mel who had a great love for the outdoors Heather had the opportunity to fully embrace Ontario’s “camp culture” as a camper, a counsellor and a program leader. Having the opportunity to share the Camp Kerry BC model with families from Ontario in the same beautiful Northern Ontario landscape where she had spent so many memorable summers herself was a great gift.

Melville Mohan was always passionate about the outdoors. Even during his teaching career he found creative ways to bring the outdoors into the classroom!

What’s Happening Now

After meetings and discussions with members of our team, including our medical advisory committee, we are feeling cautiously optimistic that adapted in-person family retreat programs will be possible by the fall of 2021 in Ontario.

Although we know that our in-person programs will have to look somewhat different this year we are very pleased to announce that we have decided to open registration and invite all those hoping to come to Camp Kerry Ontario this fall to complete their preliminary paperwork. Program contribution fees and medical forms do not need to be submitted at this time.

What To Expect At Camp

A team of qualified counsellors and specially trained volunteers will welcome you and support your entire family throughout the four-day retreat. Children and teens of any age are welcome to attend along with their parent(s) and/or guardian(s). Extended family members are also welcome. Programming suitable for young children, school-aged children, youth, adults and elders is offered. The program provides a variety of therapeutic and recreational experiences structured for success including: peer group sharing circles, family activities, music & art therapy, nature hikes, adventure challenges, fishing, sports & games, relaxation, campfires and a candlelight memory service. Accommodations are in heated cabins with single beds and bunk beds and each family is assigned their own cabin. Cabins have washrooms and there is also a central washroom/shower facility. Nutritious, home-cooked meals and snacks are provided in a central dining room and special diets can be accommodated with advance notice. Transportation to camp is the individual responsibility of each family but assistance can be arranged for those who need it. The retreat is located about 90 minutes North West of Peterborough. An information session is provided for new families prior to camp.

Camp Kerry Ontario

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Frequently Asked Questions

What age do I have to be to come to Camp Kerry?

Our retreat is geared for families .. and we know that families come in many configurations and variations! Our programming and staffing levels will accommodate the needs of babies, toddlers, children, youth and adults of all ages. Please note that children and youth are not permitted to attend Camp Kerry without a guardian or adult family member. On occasion adults/adult family members do attend Camp Kerry without children, but if this is your situation, please contact our office first for a discussion with one of our staff. Our goal in talking with you is always to ensure that a Camp Kerry retreat will be the best resource and best possible fit for you and your family at this moment in time.

What is the recommended length of time after my loss before I can apply to Camp Kerry?

Our family retreats are intensive experiences and can be overwhelming for those in the very early days and weeks after a loss. We highly recommend that you not attend a Camp until a minimum of three or four months past the date of your loved one’s death. Some people are not ready to come to Camp in their first year at all, but find it very helpful in their second or even third year of grieving. There is no exact formula or timetable as each one of us moves in different ways and at a different pace through our grief process. If you are unsure of what to expect and whether the specific timing of a retreat will suit your family, we encourage you to call our office directly for a further discussion with one of our staff.

Can I return to Camp Kerry if I have already attended?

A lot of people attend Camp Kerry for more than one year and many stay involved with our Society’s programs and services for much longer than that. We recognize that grief is an ongoing process that changes over time and that other life stressors and situations have the potential to add complexity and challenge to our bereavement. Camp registration is now being offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

I've been to Camp Kerry for several years now and feel like I am doing pretty well with my grief but I still want to stay connected and involved. How do I do this?

Camp Kerry is a community that cares and we would love for you to stay involved with us! There are year-round opportunities to participate in a variety of Society programs as a volunteer. We need help in several areas and believe that everyone has something positive to give back to their community when they feel ready to do so. For more details on volunteering or attending any of our alumni events please call our office or click HERE to volunteer with us.

When to Apply

Throughout the year you can sign up for various programs and events through our online portal.

Registration for our family bereavement retreat program, “Camp Kerry”, generally opens in April of each year, you’ll notice the registration button at the bottom of this page. We strongly recommend that if your family is interested in attending that you register early because there is always a high demand for this program.

Program Contribution Fee

Register Below

Register for Camp Kerry Ontario Programs

Click on the button to proceed with registering for programs that we offer throughout the year.

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Register for Camp Kerry Ontario Retreat Program

Click the button below to register for our family bereavement retreat program, “Camp Kerry Ontario”.

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Apply to be a Volunteer at Camp Kerry Ontario

Complete an application if you’re interested in volunteering at Camp Kerry Ontario this year.

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Camp Kerry Ontario Supporters

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