MEDIA RELEASE

Hospice of Hilo offers free four-week youth and teen bereavement camps at its Pohai Malama a Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Care Center located at 590 Kapiolani St. in Hilo.

The youth camp is for children ages 5-11 and will meet 3:30-5 p.m. Jan. 21-Feb. 11.

The teen camp is for ages 12-17 and will meet 3:30-5 p.m. Jan. 22-Feb. 12.

“Grief is a normal response to death and loss. Within every child and adult there is a natural ability to respond to great loss. Each person chooses his/her individual path for expressing grief. Any death is emotional and disruptive for an adult; it can be devastating for a child,” Hospice of Hilo Children’s Bereavement Counselor Fujio Sato said.

“In a relaxed, supportive, open and safe environment, the youth and teens work with professionals to learn positive ways to share their feelings related to their loss and learn new ways to cope,” Community Bereavement Counselor Cathy Hough said.

Pre-registration is required for each camp. No charge to participants.

For further information or to register, call Sato at 969-1733.