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Camp Kara Volunteers

Resources & Tools for Camp Kara Volunteers

Kara's Annual Bereavement Camp

Camp Kara is a free bereavement camp for youth ages 6-17 who have experienced the death of a significant person in their lives. Children and teens come together for one weekend to participate in traditional fun camp activities and peer support focused grief activities. Campers are supported throughout the weekend by Kara’s highly trained volunteers and staff.

Since 2008 Kara has operated an annual bereavement camp dedicated to creating a safe and caring space for grieving children and teens to share experiences around grief and loss, acquire coping skills, and gain support from making connections with peers.

Originally named Camp Erin, in partnership with the Eluna Foundation, the camp was renamed to Camp Kara in 2020. The camp is able to serve close to 90 children a year, with the help of 40-50 volunteers and staff and is held at Camp Arroyo in Livermore through a generous donation from The Taylor Family Foundation.

Opportunities to volunteer for Camp Kara 2021

  • Cabin Counselor*
  • Activity Support*
  • Administrative Support & Logistics - Including Zoom Tech Support
  • Registration/Clean-up (Camp Family Day - July 31st)
  • Supply Prep
  • Family and Camper Meet and Greet*

*Kara Y&F Training Required

Information for 2021 Camp Kara Volunteers

Please check back regularly for updates. Last updated 7/14/2021


Camp Kara 2021 | July 16th & 17th

Camp Kara Family Day | July 31st | In-Person @ Kara - 457 Kara Avenue, Palo Alto, 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm

---> Camp Kara 2021 - Individual Liability and Media Release <---

---> All About Me Form <---

More Camp Stuff for 2021

Drum it Out with Josh Robinson
Drum it Out with Josh Robinson Friday, July 16th @ 6:00 pm
Josh will be leading our Friday night "Drum it Out "session. Learn more about him on his website.
"Drumming can be used as a tool to teach many life and coping skills, and can provide a positive and creative outlet while acting as a vehicle for self-expression and emotional release in a safe space."

Check out this video to find out more about how Josh uses drumming to support grieving kids

Cabin Breakout Information & Activity Plans
Cabin Breakout 1 | Friday, July 16th | 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Connections and Sharing our Stories

Cabin Breakout 2 | Saturday, July 17th | 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Cabin Breakout 2 - Normalizing Emotions

Additional Resources
Activities to do with children in virtual groups
Luminary (coming soon)
Program
Zoom Link
Luminary Ceremony Saturday, July 17th @ 4:00 pm

2021 Camp Kara Volunteer Trainings*

Getting Started with Zoom (Video)
For those who are new to Zoom or need a refresher
Pre-Recorded
Getting Started with Zoom
CANCELLED: Supporting Children in a Virtual Setting
Required for all Cabin Counselors and Camper Support Floaters
June 24th 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Prep Day (Updated with Videos)
*Additional trainings may be added as we adjust to a virtual camp

Additional Opportunities to help

Virtual Camper and Family Meet and Greets
Cabin counselors are needed to meet with the kids in breakout groups
  • May 20th, Thursday | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
  • May 25th, Tuesday | 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Camper Box Distribution & Delivery
Volunteers are needed to staff the pick-up location and deliver boxes around the bay that campers could not pick up
  • Box Pick Up: July 10th, Saturday | Time TBD
  • Box Delivery: July 5th - July 14th

Supply Prep
Volunteers to help assemble camper boxes
  • June - Dates & Times TBD

If you are interested in helping with any additional opportunities please email camp leadership camp@kara-grief.org

Thank you for all you do to support the bereaved in our community!

"I learned that it was okay to cry. It was so cool to be with a lot of other people who where grieving. This was a haven, a sanctuary, where the dead's names are uttered as much as the living, and where people can truly be who they are and share. We are surrounded by nature and love and people we just met, but are already lifelong friends. We can cry in public and truly feel the dead person's presence, and share things that keep them alive. We laugh, love, sob, sing, clap, and talk. This camp is so special and pure and ultimately one of the safest places I have been to."
- 13 year old camper