Camp Rainbow 2026

On Saturday, May 2, Mary Washington Grief Support Services hosted Camp Rainbow, a one-day camp for kids ages 5 to 12 who have experienced the death of a loved one. This annual camp provides kids with a safe, compassion-filled place to connect with other bereaved children, engage in supportive activities and have fun. Campers are matched with “Big Buddies,” community volunteers trained to provide support, companionship and a listening ear.

Camp Rainbow is offered at no cost to the participants thanks to the generosity of our community. This year we were supported by Site Sponsor: Fredericksburg Parks and Recreation; T-Shirt Sponsor: Ameris Bank; and Wegmans and Chick-fil-A Central Park who generously donated breakfast and lunch.

“At Camp Rainbow, children are given a safe space to share their grief, surrounded by peers who have a similar experience,” said Jennifer Freeland, Associate Vice President of Ambulatory Services Nursing Operations. “We’re thankful to our community for ensuring every child can attend at no cost.”

Campers enjoyed traditional camp activities, such as canoeing in the reservoir, a bonding activity with their Big Buddies and a group “mindfulness hike.” Campers participated in a focused breathing exercise called Rainbow Breathing and a grounding exercise which uses the 5 senses to bring their awareness to the present moment. At the end of the hike campers built a cairn, or a rock stack, to memorialize their loved one.

Campers created memory clouds, an activity that allowed them to use art to share memories of their loved ones. They learned about various coping skills, drawing ways they can support whole person coping, addressing their thoughts, feelings, physical bodies and identifying ways they feel loved. Campers also read the poignant book Ida Always and discussed how the characters’ experiences were similar and different to their own.

A highlight of the day was led by Cheryl Lynn Olson, a certified Music Therapist with Mary Washington Hospice. Campers engaged in therapeutic drumming and learned a song written by Cheryl Lynn called “I Wonder, I Wish, I Hope” which explores the feelings that come with grief and the questions that often linger.

We are so grateful for our amazing volunteers, our community support, and for the families that entrusted us to care for and support their children.