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
- Schedule
- Schedule with Zoom Links for Camp Weekend
- Afternoon Activity Schedule
- List of Volunteers and Staff with ALL ABOUT US links for all cabins. NEW!!!
---> Camp Kara 2021 - Individual Liability and Media Release <---
---> All About Me Form <---
More Camp Stuff for 2021
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
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
Camp Items for Volunteers
Activity Instructions Small Group Activities Saturday, July 17th
- Feelings Mask Cabin Group Activity
- All the Feeings in my Heart: Creative Expression - Water Color Actvitiy Saturday Afternoon Activity
Additional Activities
Yoga for Grief with Cabin Counselor Katie
Taylor Family Foundation: Music Therapy Videos
- Make Your Own Instruments (all ages)
- Make Your Own Xylophone (all ages)
- Slow Down & Calm Down (Relaxation for Younger Campers)
- Relaxation Techniques (older campers)
- Music Bingo (all ages) Bingo Cards
Get access to more videos and activities on the Taylor Family Foundations Virtual Camp Page
Zoom Link
Luminary Ceremony Saturday, July 17th @ 4:00 pm
- Memorial Lantern - Luminary Instructions
- Luminary Instruction Video with Camp Director Amy Armes (2020) Note that the Luminary Ceremony for 2021 is on July 17th @4:00 pm
2021 Camp Kara Volunteer Trainings*
June 24th 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
June 26th 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Camp Kara 2021 Volunteer Prep Day - Camp Overview
Camp Kara 2021 Volunteer Prep Day - Working with Children Virtually
Additional Opportunities to help
- May 20th, Thursday | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
- May 25th, Tuesday | 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
- Box Pick Up: July 10th, Saturday | Time TBD
- Box Delivery: July 5th - July 14th
- June - Dates & Times TBD
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