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Time To
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Camp offers grief therapy, healing and togetherness.
participating later this month.
At Oakland University in
Editorial Assistant
Rochesrer, Silver is completing
her bachelor's degree in human
nding a name for one
resource development, with a spe-
vho gives of her time self-
cialization
in human services. She
lessly in so many ways was
said
the
camp
has motivated her
easy for Linda Diehl. She
to
work
toward
becoming a hos-
did it in two words — Shari Silver.
pice
social
worker.
Diehl is the counseling coordina-
The Camp Explorer program,
tor for Barbara Ann Karmanos
entering its fourth year, will take
Cancer Institute Hospice and Home
place on the grounds of Camp
Care. She met Silver through the
Maas in Ortonville on the week-
Camp Explorer bereavement pro-
end of Aug. 27-29. Although
gram, where Silver has been a volun-
sponsored by Karmanos, the
teer for three summers.
camp is not just for those who have
The program helps those
lost someone to cancer, but also to
"involved in the grief process over
other illness or trauma," Silver said.
the loss of a significant person,"
"Everybody grieves, and it is helpful
Diehl explained.
for them to see that they are not
Silver, 23, has volunteered with
),
going through this alone.
various organizations, including the
Diehl said that
Make-a-Wish
in previous years,
6.
Foundation of
a a
attendance reached
Rfg
Michigan and
about 25, for fami-
Meals-on-
%.
a
ik
lies as well as indi-
0:
Wheels. She
w. *x. •
m
vidual participants.
became
There is room for
Karmanos bereavement
involved with
50-60 campers.
camp joins volunteers with
Southfield-
The opening cer-
based
families experiencing loss.
emony at the camp
Karmanos in
allows participants
1996 while
to
share
their
reasons
for attending.
seeking to fulfill community service
"This sets the tone that this is not
hours for participation in the Miss
just for fun," Diehl said. There is a
Michigan contest.
focus on grief-therapy activities.
After attending the camp, Silver
Campers may paint rocks with sym-
said she found herself "so inspired by
bols of the memories they hold for
the exhilarating experience of mak-
those they've lost. Children create
ing such a difference in someone's
"worry dolls," for giving their biggest
life," that she convinced her mother,
worry
away each night before bed.
Roz Silver, to join her. The
Two spiritual counselors, two
Farmington Hills residents both are
SHELLI DORFMAN
Ft
„
,<•••• V: :V
8/6
1999
111/ dri
I
Above, Shari Silver applies face
paint to camperMelissa Foley, 14.
Left, Roz and Shari Silver at Camp
Explorer.
social workers and a home care social
worker act as professionals to facili-
tate the grief groups, which are
divided into separate sessions for
children, teens and adults.
Bunking by age in Tamarack's
Sheruth Village, Diehl said the pur-
pose of the weekend is "to explore
where they are in the grief process,
working on healing, but still with
time to relax and enjoy themselves."
Free time may include swimming,
hiking or a having a massage.
Volunteers serve as cabin coun-
selors. "They are the directors of fun
activities like getting the s'mores
ready," Diehl said.
Cost of the weekend is $80 per
family. "Sponsors are available so
that finances do not stand in the way
of someone coming to camp," she
said. If they want to be a part of it,
we want therh."
Diehl said some campers from
previous years have returned, "find-
ing a need to revisit the loss and
readjust it to the point they are at in
their lives." Silver added that those
who choose to return "can be better
counselors than the social workers
— it's a cycle."
Silver says participation in the
camp "actually changed me. I feel
differently about everything in my
life. Seeing families torn apart
inspired me to not take the people in
my life for granted."
Her mother, a third-grade teacher
at Forest Elementary School in
Farmington Hills, found the experi-
ence "a real awakening." It was
important for her to find "a healthy
balance between being upset and
being strong enough to help..
"At first I didn't think I could do
it," Roz Silver said. "But now, Shari
and I, we will both continue forever,
"
for sure.
Individuals or families interested in
attending or volunteering at the
Karmanos Camp Explorer, Aug.
27-29 on the grounds of Camp
Maas in Ortonville, may call (800)
KARMANOS.