Kevin’s Journey - A Camper Story
- Chameleon's Journey
- Jul 9
- 3 min read
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 one such camper – a personal testimony of growing and becoming…
“My name is Kevin, and my siblings and I were incredibly fortunate to participate in Chameleon’s Journey in October of 2024. In May of 2024, we experienced the loss of our Grandmother. However, loss and sorrow are familiar to each of us, as we are children from the foster care system. We have faced trauma and grief from a young age and eventually found a family that welcomed us, loved us, and taught us to rebuild our trust and love for ourselves and others. Each of us has a unique origin story, but once we united, we felt a bond with our permanent family. Grandmother was a significant guiding presence who provided us with love and acceptance, especially during her final days with Hospice. When we lost her, we felt adrift, overwhelmed with emotions that we struggled to understand. The camp helped us articulate our feelings of grief and loss, not just concerning Grandmother but also the previous losses we had endured. Coming together with peers who had also faced loss was profoundly impactful. We recognized we were not alone, and while the journey of grief can be difficult, with the right guidance and tools, it can also be a beautiful experience. Each activity equipped us with coping strategies and ways to process grief that were free from trauma and abandonment; we learned to honor our sorrow while also celebrating our joy in a nurturing and supportive setting. As 2025 approaches, another Chameleon’s Journey awaits, but this time it will be different. My siblings will attend, but I will be 18 and will serve as a junior camp counselor, applying the lessons I learned to assist others as they embark on their grief journey in search of joy once more!”
Are you interested in attending Chameleon’s Journey Grief Camp? VIA Health Partners is offering two more opportunities in 2025. Fall Overnight Camp will be held at Camp Thunderbird on Lake Wylie October 11-12, and our inaugural Greenville Day Camp will be hosted at the Staunton Bridge Community Center on October 25. Contact the Bereavement Department at VIA Health Partners with any questions; registration can be completed on the Chameleon’s Journey website (www.chameleonsjourney.org) starting in early August.
To learn more about Chameleon’s Journey Camp or VIA Health Partners, visit www.chameleonsjourney.org or www.viahp.org.
To learn more about Volunteering with VIA Health Partners, visit us at:
About VIA Health Partners
VIA Health Partners began as Hospice at Charlotte, the state’s first hospice, in 1978 and then operated under the name Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region (HPCCR) for decades before its name change to VIA Health Partners in 2023. Today VIA Health Partners serves 3,500 patients each day for hospice and palliative care services. Our service area encompasses 14 counties in North Carolina--Burke, Catawba, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Polk, Rutherford, Stanly, and Union. Its service area in South Carolina includes Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Chester, Chesterfield, Fairfield, Greenville, Greenwood, Kershaw, Lancaster, Laurens, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Saluda, Spartanburg, Union, and York counties.
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