Grief is never easy, especially for children. ClearPath Healthcare (formerly Hospice of Redmond) is bringing back Camp Sunrise, Oregon’s longest-running free grief camp, and its special Teen Grief Retreat to make sure no young person in Central Oregon faces loss alone. Now in its 28th year, these programs give young people a safe place to turn grief or loss into connection. This year, ClearPath is moving both programs to Cascade View Retreat Center in Powell Butte, OR.
For many people, Camp Sunrise makes a lasting difference. Camie Nelson, now a Finance Assistant at ClearPath Healthcare, went to the camp at age 13 and remembers how important it was to feel truly seen. “Often, kids feel they need to ‘be okay’ because that’s what is expected of them, but how a child plays doesn’t always reflect how they are processing grief, ” says Nelson. “At camp, you are surrounded by people who understand grief and intentionally support it. Through activities that build connection and help us overcome obstacles, they provide the skills kids need to heal. It’s about so much more than just talking about a loss; it’s about being in a place where you don’t have to grieve alone.”
2026 Program Details
●Camp Sunrise (Ages 7–12): A three-day overnight camp held June 19–21, 2026.
●Teen Grief Retreat (Ages 13–17): A focused, high-impact day session on June 20, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
A Space for Every Kind of Grief ClearPath Healthcare welcomes all kinds of loss and understands that grief has no set timeline. The programs are open to youth from Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook counties, as well as the wider Central Oregon area. Kids may be grieving a parent, friend, classmate, grandparent, sibling, or pet.
●For kids, the program uses “play with a purpose,” incorporating games, music, art, and storytelling.
●For teens, the retreat provides a mature setting with topics and activities tailored to their age group.
Total Family Support
The support continues after camp ends. ClearPath offers pre-camp interviews to make sure the program is a good fit, educational sessions to help caregivers support their kids, and post-camp guidance to help children heal over time.
How to Get Involved
Because of local sponsors and dedicated volunteers, these programs are completely free.
●To Apply: Applications for the 30 available spots are now open at https://www.clearpathhealthcare.org/camp-sunrise/
●To volunteer or become a sponsor, ClearPath is looking for caring people and local businesses to help keep these programs free. Contact Kat Crawford at (541) 548-7483 or kat@clearpathhealthcare.org.
About ClearPath Healthcare:
Founded in 1979, ClearPath Healthcare remains a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and Medicare-certified organization. While the name has evolved to reflect its expanding services, the core mission remains the same: providing a clear path to care for all of Central Oregon. In addition to the new in-home primary care service, ClearPath continues to offer its legacy programs, including hospice, transitions case management, bereavement support (including Camp Sunrise), and its Level 5 We Honor Veterans partnership.
This story is based on submitted information and has not been verified by our news team.
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