“Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!”
Our yellow brick road may not introduce us to the wonders of Oz or include a pair of ruby red shoes, but it will be filled with lovable bunnies, lots of new friends and even the occasional sing-along! Welcome to the 25th anniversary of Chameleon’s Journey!! For more than two decades, VIA Health Partners, formerly known as Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region, has been providing help, hope and healing to students ages 7 – 17 through grief education, physical activity and the opportunity to meet those with like experiences through a fun and loving camp environment. This year, we want to introduce you to our new theme, “The Grief Bridge,” taking time to consider those who serve as our support, paying homage to our past while we prepare for the future, and intentionally recognizing those who are on the bridge with us!
We invite you to join us for our Spring Camp on Saturday, April 27, from 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM at the Hemby YMCA Program Center located in Charlotte, NC. Campers will be divided into groups with participants their own age, rotating through a cycle of music therapy, expressive arts, group counseling and yes, even fun, lovable bunnies with pet therapy! And best of all…camp is completely free!! Chameleon’s Journey is generously funded by VIA Health Partners and sustaining community partners and individuals.
And parents/guardians/grandparents…we have something for you! Our adult group will meet from 8:45 AM – 10:30 AM, giving you a chance to plug-in, learn what your campers are experiencing and provide some resources to help you at home. The adult group does not require registration or RSVP. Simply drop of your camper and stay for a bit, learning with us!
So, how do I sign up? The process is really easy! Beginning Sunday, March 10, the camper registration portion of the website will open, providing a space for parents/guardians/family members to request a camper application. School counselors can also request the online application, but it must be completed by the guardian due to signed waivers. The application will be e-mailed to the provided address, offering ease for signatures. Once completed and submitted online, you will receive a confirmation e-mail followed by communication from our office that your camper has been accepted (once the application is reviewed). If you have any questions, please contact us via the website or the main office number: 704.375.0100 (ask for the spiritual care and grief office).
We look forward to traveling with you on this journey!! Let’s find the courage of the lion and the heart of the tin man, crossing our grief bridge together!
To learn more about Chameleon’s Journey or VIA Health Partners, visit www.chameleonsjourney.org or www.viahp.org.
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.