Chesapeake Life Center has more than 30 years of experience using fun and friendship to help grieving children find a path to healing. Here is what is planned for children and teens through December:
- Rhythm of Life: Drum Circle Support Group — This free group allows kids and teens ages 6 to 18 to connect with one another through creative expression and the healing power of drumming. Drumming has been shown to produce relief from symptoms that accompany grief and loss, improve physical wellbeing, help to process and regulate emotions, and it’s fun! The group will meet from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, at the Burnett Center for Hope & Healing, 4559 Sixes Road, Prince Frederick, Maryland.
- SoulCollage for Teens — SoulCollage is a collage-making activity which allows grievers to express themselves in whatever way feels OK. Sometimes we just can’t do that when we only talk about losing a special person. As the old saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” This session is for kids ages 13 to 18 and will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15, on the John and Cathy Belcher Campus, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, Maryland. The cost is $10 for supplies. Snacks will be included.
- Breakfast with your Buddies — Children and teens ages 6 to 18 will have the chance to share breakfast with friends and engage in guided activities to remember their special person through creativity and play. The breakfast will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 19, on the John and Cathy Belcher Campus, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena. The cost is $10. A workshop for grieving parents will be held simultaneously. See below.
- Parenting While Grieving Workshop — Gather with your peers for a two-hour event to provide and receive support from others who understand the unique challenge of parenting while grieving. In addition to honoring losses by sharing personal stories, participants will learn about David Kessler’s “Six Needs of the Grieving” and will have the option to participate in group mindfulness activities, nature-informed activities, expressive arts, skill sharing and practice and more. The workshop will take place at the same time as the Breakfast with your Buddies workshop for children and teens: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 19, on the John and Cathy Belcher Campus, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena. The cost is $10. When registering, please indicate if your children will be attending the breakfast.
- Living with Loss through the Holidays: This family workshop will offer support, honor memories, and explore coping strategies through the holiday season. It will include activities for all ages and will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, on the John and Cathy Belcher Campus, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena. The cost is $10.
Registration is required for all programs and can be completed by calling 888-501-7077 or emailing griefinfo@chesapeakelifecenter.org. Visit www.hospicechesapeake.org/events for a complete listing of in-person and virtual groups and workshops for adults and children.
