Camp Erin - King County

Camp Erin^® King County is a free, weekend bereavement camp for youth who are grieving the death of significant person in their lives. Children and teens ages 6 to 17 attend a weekend camp experience that combines grief education and emotional support with fun, traditional camp activities. Led by bereavement professionals and caring volunteers, campers are provided a safe environment to explore their grief, learn essential coping skills, and make friends with peers who are also grieving.

Program Flyer

We typically open registration in January for the coming summer. Campers are enrolled on a first-come, first-served basis based on age and availability. Registration closes one month prior to camp. However, our camp typically fills quickly so we encourage families to register as early as possible. As age groups fill, new registrations are admitted to our waiting list.

Camp Erin^® is facilitated by professional bereavement staff of Providence Hospice and specially trained volunteers. Staff and volunteers lead grief activities and sharing times, supervise recreation, and provide support to campers throughout the weekend. We have a ratio of 1 adult for every 2 campers. Registered nurses are available on-site at all times to dispense medications and respond to any medical concerns which may arise.

No, Camp Erin^® is offered free of charge to all families. Camp Erin^® King County is funded by the generous support of Providence Hospice, the Providence Foundations, The Eluna Network, Safe Crossings Foundation, and many individuals and businesses in the community who donate their time and resources to Camp Erin.

Kids and teenagers participate in separate, specialized camp activities designed to meet their needs and interests.

While at camp, your child(ren) will stay in a cabin with other campers of their age group. Each cabin includes two trained volunteers (called Big Buddies) and a mental health professional volunteer who will support the campers throughout the weekend.

While we welcome applicants from outside of the King County area, Camp Erin^® is a national network of bereavement camps, with 45+ locations and youth can create a community of support near them. For information on the Camp Erin^® nearest to you, please visit: https://elunanetwork.org/camps-programs/camp-erin/

We ask parents/guardian(s) to transport their camper(s) to and from camp. A parent/guardian or authorized adult needs to be at camp on Friday and Sunday. Check-in begins Friday afternoon and check-out begins Sunday mid-morning. If transportation is a barrier, please let us know.

Please see our camper’s packing list for a guide to what to bring and what not to bring. If supplies are a barrier, please let us know.

Packing List

Once your registration is received, you will receive an email with a scheduling link for your Camper Orientation Interview. During the mandatory Camper Orientation Interview, our Clinical Staff will share more information about camp, answer any questions, and assess if camp is the best fit for your child(ren).

We are always looking for volunteers to join us at Camp Erin^®! Whether it is for the whole weekend or just a few hours, there are a variety of ways to get involved. Please note, family members, guardians, and caregivers cannot volunteer at camp during the same year their child is a camper.

In addition to Camp Erin^®, grief support services are available through Providence Hospice of Seattle’s Safe Crossings Program. For information about the program and to request services visit the program website.

Returning campers will be put on our waitlist. They will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis along with consideration for the changes that have occurred in their life within the last year, if a sibling is attending for the first time, and other factors decided by the Clinical Team.