Community Announcements
Featuring some of the latest news about the Society’s programs, events, and more.
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.
100.3 KM for Quentin
On December 4th, 2021, Mike Sanborn will honour his dear friend, Quentin Liedtke, as he rows 100.3 km on an indoor rowing machine. 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.
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.
A Day of Indigenous Wellness: Harvesting Our Hearts & Spirits
A Virtual Wellness Gathering featuring the wisdom and lived-experiences of Indigenous Healers, Leaders, Elders and Artists.
Ideal for individuals impacted by serious illness, grief and loss and those who care for and about them.
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…
An Update on Camp Kerry Family Retreats
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 middle of September in BC and Ontario…
Introducing Lumara Grief & Bereavement Care Society – A new name for Camp Kerry Society
NEW WESTMINSTER, June 21, 2021 – We are excited to announce the official name change of our organization to Lumara Grief & Bereavement Care Society, a name that captures the spirit, intention, and depth of care we offer for people of all ages who are coping with serious illness, grief, and bereavement…
Arts Express
A virtual Camp Kerry summer program for kids ages 9 – 13 years who are grieving the death of a loved one.
Connections: Virtual Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Groups
The loss of a pregnancy or baby can be devastating, complicated and often unrecognized–and this may be especially true during the current pandemic restrictions. Whether your loss is recent or your grief feels more powerful at this time, our Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Group can help offer a sense of connection, healing and hope.
Notice of AGM 2021
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) of the Camp Kerry Society (the “Society”) will take place on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 11 am PST.
A Day of Indigenous Wellness: The Season of Planting, Healing, Wellness and Growth
We invite you to join members of our team alongside our panel of incredible Indigenous Elders/Leaders/Healers/Artists as we gather in community for a day of wellness that will provide insight, knowledge and inspiration for all those seeking light in the darkness of grief and hope for the future.
“Life is Hard and Grief is Harder”
In 2020, all of Camp Kerry’s programs went online. Yet the COVID-19 restrictions also gave us an opportunity to envision new ways of cultivating community, including creating the virtual perinatal loss group.
The format allowed women and families from communities across Canada to participate in our grief support groups. Trish and Kayren shared how freeing it was to be vulnerable with people they wouldn’t run into in other situations.
2021 Scotiabank Charity Challenge
Whether you are looking for a serious challenge or a fun activity for the whole family, this virtual event will keep you moving. Not to mention, you can support a great cause while you do so!
Participants can choose from the 21.1K, 10K, 5K and 1K Kids Race or challenge themselves to complete either of the new Repeat (5K & 10K) or Threepeat (5K, 10K & 21K) Challenges.
Styles of Grieving with Dr. Hajnal
While the process of grieving is universal – we all grieve – grief looks different on everyone. Your relationship with the loss (losses) is unique and so too will be your experience of those losses. At the same time, it can be helpful to see yourself or others in their grief as having a particular style.
Parenting While Grieving: A Virtual Workshop
Are you raising children or teens who have experienced a significant loss through the death of a parent or a sibling?
Let our Counsellor, Samantha French, be your guide in this informative workshop, as you learn more about developmental stages and how they relate to grief, creating a comfortable dialogue for all family members around loss, reducing conflict amongst siblings, democratic parenting and teaching kids self-regulation skills.
Introducing the Rose Family Student Bursary
In memory of Rob Rose, we are pleased to introduce the Rose Family Student Bursary. This fund will provide financial support to youth who have suffered the loss of a parent as they pursue their post-secondary studies.
Family Art Therapy Series: Spring 2021
This six-week series of interactive online sessions are facilitated by Camp Kerry Art Therapist, Sophie Arkell. Families will have opportunities to engage in arts-based activities that will provide helpful emotional outlets, positive coping strategies and enhance communication. Sessions will run for one hour each week.
Navigating New Relationships After the Death of a Spouse
This workshop is suitable for those who are thinking about or currently exploring dating and for those who have already found a new partner.
Connections: Virtual Grief Support Groups – Spring Sessions 2021
This 8-week online program provides opportunities for adults who are bereaved to connect, to share their experiences of loss in a supportive environment, to honour their loved ones, and to learn strategies that can assist them in coping as they grieve.
Call for Nominations 2021
The Camp Kerry Board of Directors is calling for nomination of candidates to stand for the Camp Kerry Society Board of Directors. Member engagement is critical to the success of the Society and the Board relies upon your recommendations for strong candidates.
Indigenous Health and Wellness Day: The Season of Rebirth
A Virtual Wellness Gathering featuring the wisdom and lived-experiences of Indigenous Healers, Leaders, Elders and Artists.
Ideal for individuals impacted by serious illness, grief and loss and those who care for and about them.
1.5 Hour Songwriting Workshops
Facilitated by accredited Music Therapist, Luke Burton. Luke is a singer/songwriter with many years of experience as a performer, therapist, group facilitator and community choir co-leader. He has worked as part of the Camp Kerry team since 2017.
2020 Annual Report
2020 was the year we didn’t give up. Thank you for your incredible support of Camp Kerry as we continued to build a compassionate, creative community for those experiencing grief and loss. Learn more about your impact in our 2020 Annual Report…
Mindfulness Monday’s Mid-Day Drop-in Sessions
You don’t need a lot of time to make a difference in your day – these sessions support stress and anxiety in times of change and loss. This half hour break can help you connect with breath and balance.
Connections: Virtual Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Group
The loss of a pregnancy or baby can be devastating, complicated and often unrecognized–and this may be especially true during the current pandemic restrictions. Whether your loss is recent or your grief feels more powerful at this time, our Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Group can help offer a sense of connection, healing and hope
These Simple Words: Three Hour Songwriting Workshops
Have you ever wanted to write your own song? Let Camp Kerry Music Therapist, Luke Burton, be your guide in this virtual workshop, as you explore your creative side and set your emotions in motion with creativity exercises and easy song-writing tools in this fun and safe workshop. No prior song-writing experience or musical ability is required.
Family Improv & Games: Virtual Therapeutic Play Sessions
Are you looking for new ways to engage and have fun with your kids amidst the restrictions created by the COVID-19 pandemic and despite the heaviness and sorrow that grief has brought into your lives? If there’s one important thing we’ve learned at Camp Kerry over the many years we’ve worked with grieving families, it’s that children who have suffered a loss still need to play…and sometimes they really need the adults in their lives to be willing to play alongside them!
Connections: Frontline Conversations
COVID-19 has pushed frontline workers/essential service providers in hospitals, schools and community-based services into coping with unprecedented levels of stress, uncertainty, anxiety, change, loss and grief.
These one-hour drop-in groups ~ facilitated by members of the Camp Kerry team who know just what it’s like to work on the frontlines during a pandemic ~ provide space for authentic conversations about the unique challenges you are coping with in your work setting, what’s helping, what’s not and anything else that is on your mind! Confidentiality is assured.
Connections: Virtual Grief Support Group – New Year Session 2021
This 8-week online program provides opportunities for adults who are bereaved to connect, to share their experiences of loss in a supportive environment, to honour their loved ones, and to learn strategies that can assist them in coping as they grieve.
Writing Our Grief
Facilitated by counsellor and published writer Tama Recker, this series is suitable for those without any writing experience and seasoned writers alike. Participants will be guided to access creative thinking and mindfulness practices that encourage listening to inner thoughts and feelings as well to one’s grief process in new ways.
Now Accepting 2021 Virtual Choir Registrations
Now accepting Virtual Choir registrations for our 2021 sessions (New Year and Spring). All are welcome!
Love, Cora
• The Camp Kerry Society is pleased to announce the launch of a new support program for families who have experienced the sudden death of a young child. Created in loving memory of six-year old Cora Fey Cheney, the “Love, Cora” care packages are intended to provide comfort, hope and practical support for grieving families.
Drop-in Grief Support Group: Christmas Eve 2020
Whether a loss be recent or long ago, the winter holiday season is often a difficult time for those who are grieving. If you are one of the many who are struggling this year then we encourage you to attend this virtual support group. Space will be held so that participants have opportunities to share, to listen, and to support one another. After the first hour of structured facilitation, participants can remain online to continue conversations with one another.
Interlude: A Holiday Grief Gathering
A time to step back during the busy Christmas season and make space for reflection, connection and inspiration.
Explore strategies for coping with grief and finding hope during the holidays.
Connection + Compassion: Our Antidote to 2020
At Camp Kerry we’re committed to finding creative ways to build community during this challenging time – and we need your help. As isolation increases, anxiety and loss continue to be widespread. The need for the compassionate connections provided by our programs has...
COVID-19 Support Groups for Frontline Workers
These support groups are intended for adults impacted by the effects of working on the frontlines during the Covid-19 pandemic. Ideal for healthcare workers and essential service providers including; doctors, nurses, community support workers, teachers, and therapists.
Reflective Writing Series
This series is designed to support participants with any processing they may want to do specific to their grief while also supporting the reflective process. The intention of this series is to inspire and open some new pathways of listening rather than about becoming a better writer.
Connections: Beyond the Virus 2020 Fall Sessions
This 6-week online program provides opportunities for adults, who have been bereaved during COVID-19, to connect and to share their experiences of loss in a supportive, compassionate environment with others who understand the unique challenges of losing a loved one during a pandemic.
Grief Modules for Teachers
— Camp Kerry Society PresentsGrief In the Classroom: Online Resources for TeachersWe appreciate the sense of vulnerability that can arise with loss and stepping into uncomfortable conversations, the worries about “getting it wrong”, about “making things worse” – these...
Virtual Grief Support Groups: Fall Sessions 2020
— Camp Kerry Society PresentsConnections: Virtual Grief Support Groups for Adults - Fall 2020In response to COVID-19 and the requirements for social distancing, the Camp Kerry Society is pleased to offer a variety of programs and workshops virtually to those impacted...
Connections: Youth 2020 Fall Sessions
— Camp Kerry Society PresentsConnections: YouthOct. 20th - Nov. 24th 2020 Tuesdays online from 4PM - 5:30PM PST, 7PM - 8:30PM EST, 8PM - 9:30PM ATL What to expect: Each week, participants will be able to choose a new outdoor challenge to complete with someone in their...
Songwriting Workshop: October 2020
— Camp Kerry Society PresentsThese Simple Words: A Song Writing WorkshopOctober 24, 2020 10am - 1pm PST, 1pm - 4pm EST, 2pm - 5pm ASTHave you ever wanted to write your own song? Let Camp Kerry Music Therapist Luke Burton be your guide in this virtual workshop, as you...
Family Art Therapy: Fall Virtual Series
— Camp Kerry Society PresentsFAMILY ART THERAPY: A six week virtual seriesOctober 15 - November 19, 2020Thursdays 4PM-5PM PST, 7PM-8PM EST, 8PM-9PM ASTThis six-week series of interactive online sessions are facilitated by Camp Kerry Art Therapist, Sophie Arkell....
Virtual Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Groups
— Camp Kerry Society PresentsConnections: Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support GroupsThe loss of a pregnancy or baby can be devastating, complicated and often unrecognized–and this may be especially true during the current pandemic restrictions. Whether your loss is...
Dog Trainer Finds Creative Way to Give Back During the COVID-19 Pandemic
When Qualicum Beach Certified Professional Dog Trainer Domena Diesing of Definitely Dogs was forced to cancel all her puppy and dog training classes because of COVID-19 restrictions, her monthly income plummeted to nothing. Faced with the sudden and scary loss of her...
Kaleidoscope 2020: A Virtual Grief Convention
Kaleidoscope 2020 is the Camp Kerry Society’s first Virtual Grief Convention for Families and Professionals. From September 24 – 27th, we will gather as a community impacted by serious illness, grief and loss to share in four days of connection, inspired learning and hope.
Virtual Perinatal Loss Support Groups: Summer Session 2020
— Camp Kerry Society PresentsConnections: Perinatal Loss Support GroupsThe loss of a pregnancy or baby can be complicated and often unrecognized, and this may be especially true during the current pandemic restrictions. Whether your loss is recent or your grief feels...
Leadership Announcement for Canada East
RE: EASTERN CANADA PROGRAMS LEADERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENTWe are thrilled to announce the appointment of Shelley Hermer ~ in an expanded new role as our Manager of Regional Programs: Canada East. Shelley has volunteered extensively with the Camp Kerry Society since 2011 and...
Making Space for Grief
As the pandemic has taken its toll on our team this spring, I have found myself feeling so grateful for Camp Kerry’s amazing volunteers. Volunteers like Sam French, who have stepped up during this pandemic to serve families that need our support now more than ever....
2020 Scotiabank Charity Challenge
Virtual Half Marathon, 10K and 5K events June 29, 2020 - September 18, 2020 The world looks very different than it did twelve weeks ago. Along with the many changes we're facing as a community, the 2020 Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon & 5K has been...