Camp Pathways

Happiness is...
seeing someone accomplish something they never thought they could do
giving of yourself to make life a little easier for somebody else
hearing the laughter of a child

Happiness is...
meeting people where they are and connecting in ways you never thought possible
catching a game winning pass
sharing stories of your own life to somehow help others

Happiness. It's found in the middle of the woods, at the top of a wall, or playing duck duck goose with complete strangers. It's in campfire skits, ridiculous songs, and games of tag. It's yours if you want it, free of charge. In the midst of all of your pain and sorrow and unanswered questions happiness is still there. You can find it. We can find it. Together.

I had the opportunity to volunteer at Camp Pathways last weekend. Camp Pathways is a camp that the grief counseling center, Pathways of Hope, at Hospice of Dayton puts on every year for children who have lost a loved one. I had heard about camp my first day of orientation and knew that it was something I wanted to-no, had to-be a part of. So, I signed up to serve as an assistant group leader and had the privelage to serve while learning much about the strength and love of others.

My group was the Purple team comprised of 6 ten year old boys and an abundance of female counselors which made for an interesting weekend. Our kids did archery, took on the climbing wall, competed at field games, and participated in music and crafts. But what they came to camp for was something that took much more courage and strength than any of the activities ever could have; they came to tackle their own grief. Between activities were group sessions focused specifically on finding ways to foster healing and dealing with some great loss that had occurred in their lives. I was taken aback and humbled by their experiences. Ten year olds who had lost a loved one to cancer, or suicide, or drugs. Ten year olds who would go on the rest of their lives missing someone who was beyond important to them. Ten year olds who could laugh and play and carry on the best way that they knew how to.

Camp was truly an amazing experience for me. It's been 8 days since I've gotten home and I still haven't quite found the words to express all of the emotions and experiences of the weekend. First of all, I love camp. I love the way that camp brings out the core of your being and lets you be entirely free. It's like a retreat for your soul; a place where you can serve others, connect with others, and share with others. What I walked away from camp with was the realization that people really need other people. Kids need a place like Camp Pathways filled with people who are there to help them work through tough losses and grief issues. They need a place to laugh and to cry and to share; a place to be open with themselves and others. They need a place to take on new challenges to show them that what they hold within themselves is the strength to take on any challenge that life throws their way. But mostly, they need to be surrounded by other people who say "it's okay" no matter how they are feeling or what they are going through. People who may have shared in their experience or those who are there just to stand beside them and lend a hand when they need it the most. I was more than amazed at the strength these kids, the way that they never gave up, and the way that they could do so much more with someone standing with them helping them on.

Camp Pathways is all about the kids but I was beyond inspired by the people there to stand beside and partner with them to foster growth and healing. There were leaders there who have found the strength to return year after year to be a part of these kids' lives; to take one weekend and focus on loving and serving others who need it in so many ways. Others were previous campers coming back to share their stories of loss and utilize their own hard times to relate and encourage the kids. And others still, were first timers (like myself) taking time out of their busy lives to bring joy and hope and the strength to overcome to all of the kids.

My life has been touched by everyone that I met at camp and I can only hope to some day make a difference in other's lives the way that they are making a difference in mine.

Happiness....it can always be found.