COMFORT ZONE CAMP: The Leading Grief Camp for Children & Teens

By Anna Rodin
Published in Longmeadow Neighbors August 2025

Grief is an invisible wound. However, for children who’ve lost a loved one such as a parent or sibling, that wound can be deep and isolating. Comfort Zone Camp (CZC), the nation’s leading bereavement organization for children and families, is changing that.

Since 1999, CZC has provided free, transformative weekend camps where kids ages 7–17 can grieve, heal, and grow together. Through confidence-building programs, age-based support groups led by mental health professionals, and classic camp fun – from ziplining to s’mores and campfires – CZC helps children “be kids again” while supporting them to process their loss.

This fall, CZC will be returning to Western Massachusetts with a weekend bereavement camp at Camp Ramah in Palmer, taking place September 26–28. The program is open to children who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, or caregiver at any point in their lives. First-time campers are welcome, and often leave with lifelong friends and a new support network.

Comfort Zone Camp’s model is built around community. In addition to mental health staff, each camper is paired with a trained adult volunteer or “big buddy,” who provides support and encouragement throughout the whole weekend. Volunteers come from all walks of life, some being previous campers themselves and inspired to pay it forward to other kids who need help through their grief journey.

CZC also holds loss-specific camps for those who’ve experienced a loss to suicide or overdose. More information can be found on their website for all upcoming camps this year.

Interested in getting involved? Enrollment for the September MA camp is now open for both campers and volunteers. CZC’s Volunteer Training will be on August 16 in Wilbraham. To learn more or apply, visit www.comfortzonecamp.org.

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