Owatonna summer camp helps children cope with grief

Owatonna High School has recently experienced the loss of a teacher and a student, along with several other unexpected deaths, prompting a need for support among the community's youth. In response, Valentine, a co-founder of Owatonna Grief Camp, collaborated with Floy, a pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, to initiate conversations about grief with children. They recognized that children are often excluded from discussions about death, which can leave them feeling isolated in their experiences of loss. The camp aims to provide a safe space for children to express their feelings and share their stories. Participants, like Caen and Evelyn, who lost their father, engage in activities such as making bears to help them process their emotions. The camp leaders emphasize the importance of confronting pain rather than avoiding it, encouraging children to understand that they are not alone in their grief. Valentine and Floy believe that equipping children with tools to navigate difficult times can lead to personal growth and resilience. They stress that experiencing grief can also reveal the strength of community support, particularly during funerals, where families come together in times of need. The camp is part of a broader initiative in Owatonna, which includes various grief programs at the high school, local coffee shops, and ongoing ministry efforts at Trinity Lutheran Church. Ultimately, the Owatonna Grief Camp seeks to foster a sense of belonging and understanding among children facing loss, helping them to find light amid their struggles and reinforcing the idea that grief can lead to positive outcomes in their lives.