By Kim Golanski
For Blue Ridge Care
Winchester, VA — Blue Ridge Care will host the first Camp Erin® West Virginia, introducing this nationally established grief camp program to youth grieving the death of a significant person in their lives. The camp will be held Saturday, September 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Applications are due by August 1.
Camp Erin West Virginia serves children and teens ages 6 to 17, offering a one-day camp experience that blends grief education and support with traditional camp activities. Participants can explore their grief, build coping skills, and connect with peers in a safe, supportive environment led by grief support professionals and trained volunteers.
Being selected as a Camp Erin partner reflects Blue Ridge Care’s commitment to expanding evidence-informed bereavement services in the region. As part of Eluna’s national Camp Erin network, Blue Ridge Care joins a community of organizations dedicated to supporting grieving children and families across North America. The partnership provides access to established program resources, training, and best practices, along with ongoing collaboration with national grief support leaders.
“Grief can feel isolating for children and teens,” said Tina Thomas, LCSW/MS, Camp Director, Blue Ridge Care Center for Hope & Healing. “Camp Erin creates a safe, welcoming space where youth can connect with others who understand, learn healthy ways to cope, and experience moments of joy alongside their grief.”
The need for accessible grief support remains significant across the region. According to the Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model (CBEM), approximately 1 in 7 children in West Virginia will experience the death of a parent or sibling before age 18, the second highest rate in the nation. In Blue Ridge Care’s service area, the estimate is 1 in 9 children, compared to 1 in 12 statewide in Virginia.
These challenges are compounded by high rates of substance use loss. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports West Virginia’s drug overdose death rate is 48.9 per 100,000 residents, among the highest nationally. While recent data reflects progress, including a 32%–41% decline in overdose deaths in 2024 compared to the prior year, the impact of grief continues to affect families and communities.
“Too often, children and teens are navigating profound loss without consistent access to support,” said Jason Parsons, president & CEO, Blue Ridge Care.. “Camp Erin helps close that gap, especially in rural West Virginia, by offering free, structured, and community-centered grief care.”
Camp Erin West Virginia is made possible in part through generous funding support from the New York Life Foundation. The program is part of Eluna’s national Camp Erin network, the largest national free grief camp network for kids, teens, and families grieving the death of a significant person in their lives. Through a mix of grief education and support paired with traditional camp activities, Camp Erin empowers youth to process their grief in healthy ways within a peer community. Programs are held throughout the year by a network of expert community partners across the United States and Canada and through Eluna’s Camp Erin Online.
How to Participate
Youth ages 6–17 are invited to apply by August 1. Participation is free.
Apply: BlueRidgeCare.org/CampErin
Questions: (540) 313-9275 or [email protected]
About Blue Ridge Care
Blue Ridge Care is an integrated, not-for-profit healthcare system that delivers extraordinary care across a horizontal system including hospice, serious illness care, its Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), grief and bereavement support, and community thrift shops. As a teaching organization, Blue Ridge Care advances education and training for healthcare professionals and caregivers. Learn more at BlueRdigeCare.org.
About Eluna
Eluna’s mission is to support children, teens and families impacted by grief or addiction. Founded in 2000, we offer community-building camps, interpersonal connections and a continuum of support for youth and families. Eluna’s three signature programs are provided at no cost: Camp Erin, the largest grief camp network for school-aged youth and their families; Camp Mariposa, an addiction prevention and mentoring program for youth ages 9-17; and the Eluna Resource Center, which provides research-based education and personalized support. Camp Erin is the largest national free grief camp network for kids, teens, and families grieving the death of a significant person in their lives.
A variety of day, overnight, and online camp programs empower youth and their adult caregivers to explore their grief, build coping skills, and have fun in a supportive community through a mix of grief support and camp activities. Programs are held throughout the year by a network of expert community partners across the US and Canada and through Eluna’s Camp Erin Online. Through the generosity of our supporters, Camp Erin has brought connection and joy to over 40,000 children and teens. Camp Erin West Virginia is hosted by Blue Ridge Care For more information, please visit www.elunanetwork.org.
