Ranked Among the Best
U.S. News & World Report named our hospital one of the best children’s hospitals in the region.
Camp Good Grief is a free, three-day camp for children and teens ages 10–16 who have experienced the death of a parent or sibling.
The camp provides a supportive environment where children and teens can express their feelings, build coping skills, and find comfort, hope, and discover that they are not alone in their grief.
Join guided grief support sessions, but also play games, laugh, make friends, and create new memories.
Apply for camp
Free for all
Camp Good Grief is sponsored by the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital Foundation. Transportation, meals, accommodations, and activities are provided at no cost to campers.
Camp Good Grief is held each spring and fall. The fall camp is open to all eligible children and teens. The spring camp is a specialized program offered in partnership with the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office, with specific eligibility requirements.
Camp location may vary, but the camp is typically held at Camp Cedar Falls in Angelus Oaks, California.
Please contact Melissa Fatal, Camp Good Grief director, at 909-558-4073 or [email protected] for further details.
Camp Good Grief is sponsored by the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital Foundation, a Seventh-day Adventist organization, so the camp includes a Christian component that reflects our faith and values.
Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital’s motto is “to make man whole,” which includes caring for emotional and spiritual well-being. We understand that grief, faith, and spirituality are deeply personal. Campers and families of all faiths and backgrounds are welcome, and individual beliefs are treated with respect.
- Guided grief support sessions
- Hiking and outdoor adventures
- Devotionals and reflection time
- Campfire bonding activities
- Team building and games
- Creative expression and memory activities
- Friendship and community
The camp is supported by volunteers and university students with backgrounds in nursing, marriage and family therapy, pediatrics, child life specialties, social work, and other health-related fields. All volunteers complete an application and background check to help ensure a safe environment for campers.
Volunteers may help with camp activities and games, arts and crafts, group support activities, and encouraging and supporting campers. We are looking for compassionate, dependable team players who are ready to make a difference. Volunteer opportunities include camp counselors, youth leaders, chaplains, camp nurses, and audio and visual tech team members.
If you are interested in volunteering as a counselor for Camp Good Grief, please contact Melissa Fatal at 909-558-4073 or [email protected].
For more Information
Contact Melissa Fatal, Camp Good Grief director, at 909-558-4073 or [email protected].