Camp Erin - The Moyer Foundation and Hospice Care Team, Inc

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Download Camp Erin Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Camp Erin?
Camp Erin is a free weekend, overnight camp for children who have experienced the death of a family member or friend. It is a traditional, fun, high-energy camp combined with grief education and emotional support.

2. When will Camp Erin take place?
The camp is held at a resident camp site over a weekend, with activities beginning Friday and ending Sunday afternoon. Camp Erin™ Houston is held at Camp Good News at Highland Creek in Hitchcock, TX, from July 13-15, 2012.

3. Who can attend Camp Erin?
Any child of age 6 to 17 who has lost a loved one may attend Camp Erin. Potential campers will be required to fill out an application form containing personal, bereavement and medical information. Because we want to ensure the best possible experience for every Camp Erin participant, each application will be reviewed in detail and may include an interview before the application process is complete. Due to the large number of applicants expected, campers will be selected on a first come, first serve basis.

4. How much does Camp Erin cost?
Through an initial grant from The Moyer Foundation and through the generous support of local corporations, other area organizations as well as community volunteers, Camp Erin will be free to all campers.

5. Is Camp Erin a religious camp?
Camp Erin is not affiliated with any religious organization, and therefore, religious instruction will not be provided at camp. Children will be allowed, however, to grieve their loss in the way that is most appropriate and comfortable for them. No child will be prevented from accessing his/her faith during the weekend if that is what the camper wishes to do.

6. What activities are provided for the children at Camp Erin?
Children grieve in many ways. They require physical activity as well as emotional outlets, coping skills and community-building to cope with loss. The goal of Camp Erin is to help normalize the grief process for all campers. It will provide a safe method and place where children can grieve with other children who have experienced a loss. There will be ample activities for children of all ages and abilities. Camp activities may include the following:

Sharing
Music
Canoes
Arts & Crafts
Swimming
Ropes Course
Luminaries
Nature Walks
Storytelling

7. Who runs Camp Erin?
The camp is staffed by bereavement coordinators from Hospice Care Team and community volunteers who are professionally trained by Hospice Care Team staff. If you have any questions about Camp Erin, you may contact Stephanie Robson, BSW, Camp Director, at (800) 545-8738.

8. How did Camp Erin get started? Why is it called Camp Erin?
Camp Erin is named in memory of Erin Metcalf, a young woman who developed liver cancer at the age of 15. Karen and Jamie Moyer, founders of The Moyer Foundation, met Erin during Spring Training in 1998, and they developed a special friendship with Erin and her family. In June of 2000, when Erin died at the age of 17, the Moyers wished to honor Erin's memory and her caring spirit. Because Erin has such a desire to help other children, the Moyers felt that a grief camp for children would be an appropriate tribute to her caring spirit.

9. What is The Moyer Foundation?
The Moyer Foundation was founded in 2000 by World Series champion, All-Star MLB pitcher Jamie Moyer and his wife, Karen. The Moyer Foundation is a public, 501 (c) 3 non-profit Foundation-funds contributed by the Foundation come from the support of a giving community. Through the generosity of many individuals, corporate and in-kind donors, The Moyer Foundation has raised more than $20 million to help support over 225 different organizations dedicated to helping children in distress.

In addition to providing support through grants to organizations that serve the needs of children in distress, The Moyer Foundation created and funds several key initiatives and community partnerships including Camp Erin- a nationwide network of bereavement camps for grieving children; Camp Mariposa, for children effected by addiction in their families, The Gregory Fund - for early cancer-detection research, and The Moyer Foundation Endowment for Excellence in Pediatric Palliative Care at Seattle's Children's Hospital.

10. What is the relationship between Hospice Care Team and The Moyer Foundation?
The Moyer Foundation has selected Hospice Care Team to establish and run Camp Erin Houston. The Moyer Foundation will provide an initial grant to fund the operations of the first year's camp and assist in creating an endowment.

11. What are the selection criteria for campers to attend Camp Erin?
Potential campers will be required to fill out an application form containing personal, bereavement and medical information. Because we want to ensure the best possible experience for every Camp Erin participant, each applicant will be reviewed in detail and may include an interview before the application process is complete. Due to the large number of applications expected, campers will be selected on a first come, first serve basis. Each child will be able to attend Camp Erin once. This will ensure that each year we give as many children as possible the opportunity to attend Camp Erin. In the event we have more applications than Camper spots, we will add your child to a waiting list in the order that the application was received.

12. Will Hospice Care Team provide transportation for the children to attend Camp Erin?
No, families must provide their own transportation to and from Camp Good News, where Camp Erin will be held.

June 19th 2012

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