Every year, I block out a weekend in October to volunteer at Chameleon’s Journey. It is a non-negotiable! No other commitments allowed - simply the time and space to show up. And it is life-giving! As a Child Life Specialist working in the hospital setting with patients and families experiencing grief and death, I see loss, resilience, and tragedy in the raw. I found out about Chameleon’s Journey from one of our music therapists and was intrigued…wanting to learn about life o

I have the joyous job of teaching studio art at Davidson College. Throughout my career, one of my guiding principles has been to make art accessible and relevant to as many people as possible. Community collaboration has been a cornerstone of this practice - a journey that began during my undergraduate days at the Rhode Island School of Design when I volunteered to teach drawing classes in medium-security prisons.

When people think about volunteering at Chameleon’s Journey, they usually picture the counselors - the ones leading group discussions, sitting with campers, and helping kids process grief in real time. That’s not my role. I’m an “All‑About.”

For the past four years, volunteering at Chameleon's Journey has become one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. I serve as the Lead Camp Counselor for the “littles,” our youngest campers, usually ages 7 and sometimes 8. Every single year, I watch children walk into camp unsure, nervous, quiet, and not really knowing what to expect. Some are hesitant to talk. Some are trying to figure out if anyone else truly understands what they are feeling. Some are carrying emo

Hi. My name is Hadley. I am a 6-year-old mini-golden doodle. I have been doing pet therapy for five years with Invisible Paw Prints. Chameleon's Journey is one of my favorite volunteer weekends ever. There are SO many friends to meet and so many hearts to comfort.

Our Greenville Spring Day Camp Registration opens on Monday, March 2nd and we want to pass along a few details to make your process as seamless as possible! Below, we cover some of the specifics as well as a few commonly asked questions. Don’t hesitate to contact us at 704.335.4300 with any specific concerns!

For the last 26 years, a children’s grief camp has taken place at Camp Thunderbird on Lake Wylie, SC. The kids find peers going through similar issues and not only learn coping techniques (music therapy, expressive arts, peer support) but have fun and connect with each other through archery, ropes courses, and general tomfoolery (something I perfected in my youth).

Each child at camp is experiencing the loss of a loved one, meaning they carry grief with them every day. Music therapy gives these campers the opportunity to express their emotions without needing to put words to how they feel in the moment. I love incorporating drumming interventions, which allow the campers to play how they feel instead of talking about it.

When you arrive with your child or teen to camp you see the cabins, the smiling staff, and the bags are packed with bug spray, silly costumes and cozy blankets. They might also have an extra “lovie,” a snuggly sweatshirt that smells like Dad (and hasn’t been washed because it still smells just like he did), a special t-shirt spritzed with mom’s favorite perfume, or maybe a little journal with a handwritten note in their special persons handwriting. Your child might be holding

Registration for the 26th Annual Chameleon’s Journey Fall Overnight Grief Camp will open in just a few weeks, and we can’t wait to welcome your camper(s)! Our team has been thoughtfully planning since last October, ensuring both the quality of our grief support sessions and opportunities for fun.

We are just about a month away from the opening of Fall Overnight Camp Registration and want to pass along a few details to make your process as seamless as possible! Below, we cover some of the specifics as well as a few commonly asked questions. Don’t hesitate to contact us at 704.335.4300 with any specific concerns!

Cabins, a ropes course, pet therapy, memorial service, service project…these are the elements that make up the “magic” of Chameleon’s Journey, creating an environment where campers feel welcomed, affirmed and encouraged to explore their individual grief in an inviting setting with their peers. But it is the bravery of our campers who choose to invest themselves in these elements that forge a path from woundedness to healing. The following words serve as a reflection from on

My story with Chameleon's Journey started in October of 2022. My husband spent 5 months, 5 days and 5 hours in the hospital with...

I started at Chameleon's Journey as a camper in 2007. When I was asked to share about my experience, I felt a rush of nerves and excitement

On Sunday morning, August 11, camper registration for the 25th annual Chameleon’s Journey Fall Overnight Grief Camp will officially open!

Where do we even begin? You amaze us with your bravery and vulnerability, inviting us to sit witness to your stories and partner in your...

I can remember the impressions and concerns that flooded my brain when I was initially asked to volunteer: “Is this just a place people...

I’ve said “yes” to a lot of things in my life. In fact, most times I say “yes” more than I really should. But there have been a handful...

I was 16 years old. It was supposed to be the year of driver’s license, road trips to visit potential colleges and anticipation of...

In 2021, my husband and I attended a fundraiser for Camp Thunderbird, where a teen shared how Chameleon's Journey had positively impacted...