By The Bay Camp
Young people experience loss differently than adults.
For years, By the Bay Health (formerly Hospice by the Bay) has met that need by offering a free, all-inclusive, three-day summer retreat for grieving children and teens, ages 7-17 (18, if still in high school).
For 2024, we met in-person at the beautiful CYO Camp Center in Sonoma, in partnership with Comfort Zone Camp.
This exciting program will feature icebreakers, age-based support groups led by trained grief specialists and camp fun such as games, crafts, a ropes course, archery and swimming. Campers will be paired with their own Big Buddy mentor who encouraged their self-expression and interaction with their peers, helping to build trust and ease the isolation children and teens often feel after a death.
By the Bay Camp 2022
Enjoy a heartfelt video and slideshow Comfort Zone/By the Bay Camp:
In Their Own Words Hear from By the Bay campers how the experience has changed their lives and given them the tools to cope with loss:
By the Bay Camp is designed to:
- Break the isolation children and teens feel after a death
- Introduce peers who can personally relate to the death of someone close to them
- Provide mentorship and professional therapeutic services
- Teach healthy coping skills for managing grief in daily life
- Develop resiliency in youth affected by death and grief
By the Bay Camp combines age-appropriate grief therapy with summer fun to help children and teens learn that a sense of normalcy in their lives is still possible.
All By the Bay Camp services are free of charge to campers.
What is Comfort Zone Camp?
By partnering with Comfort Zone Camp, we can offer more opportunities for grieving children, teens and families. We are able to take advantage of Comfort Zone Camp’s unique program and expertise to accept additional campers and provide an even more supportive grief mentor experience. Comfort Zone Camp is a non-profit organization that has served more than 13,000 children in over 20 years of operation, through its therapeutic programs.
How do campers get to camp?
Parents/guardians are required to transport campers to the CYO camp retreat center in Occidental, CA, located in Sonoma County. Once there, they can meet the staff, and be introduced to the program grief mentors. At close of camp, parents/guardians are invited to participate in activities with their children.
How do I apply for camp?
Simply click on the link above and you will be taken to the By the Bay Camp page on the Comfort Zone Camp website. You can read more about this year’s camp and will be directed to create a My Comfort Zone account, which will begin your secure application process.
How long does it take to complete an application?
Please note that the application may take 30 minutes or more to complete. You will have the ability to save and finish the application at another time, if needed. The goal is to help us provide the best possible experience for your child at camp.
How are campers selected?
Applications are reviewed in the order received and priority is given to new campers, those living in By the Bay Health’s service areas and the surrounding San Francisco Bay Area. We recommend campers be three months or more out from their loss as it can be especially difficult to take in other people’s losses in the early stages of grief. Be sure to apply early as space is limited.
How do I volunteer for camp?
To complete an application to volunteer for this summer’s camp, go to the Comfort Zone Volunteer web page here:
Are local and returning volunteers given special consideration?
While some Comfort Zone Camp volunteers do pay their own way to assist at camps around the country, local and returning volunteers who have completed the online volunteer application process and training have first priority.
Self-Care While Grieving
- Caring for Yourself (BTBH)
- Link to Videos for Self-compassion (Dr. Kristen Neff)
- Body Scan Meditation (Greater Good in Action)
- Griever’s Steps for Self-care Through Covid-19 (Soaring Spirits)