Comfort Zone Camp- Free Grief Weekends for Kids — Multi-State

Comfort Zone Camp is the largest free bereavement camp program in the United States for children and teens. Founded in 1998 by Lynne Hughes after she lost both parents as a child, Comfort Zone runs weekend-long grief camps for kids 7-17 who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, or primary caregiver. All camp costs — meals, lodging, programming, materials, and transportation support — are free.

What to Expect

Weekend camps combine traditional camp activities (games, rope courses, crafts) with structured grief support: small Healing Circles led by trained adult Big Buddies, age-grouped peer connections, memory-sharing exercises, and rituals like the Memorial Service. Kids leave understanding that they are not alone in their loss and that their grief is normal.

Locations

Comfort Zone Camp runs weekends in multiple states including Virginia, New Jersey, Massachusetts, California, North Carolina, and others — see the current camp calendar at comfortzonecamp.org for locations and dates. Family members and primary caregivers can attend the adult programming on the same weekend.

Who This Is For

Children and teens ages 7-17 who have experienced the death of a parent, primary caregiver, sibling, or other close family member. Comfort Zone is for grief from any cause — illness, accident, suicide, overdose, homicide, or other. Kids can return year after year as they grow up and their grief evolves.

Why Camp-Based Grief Support Works

Many bereaved kids feel that no one in their daily life understands their loss. Spending a weekend with other kids who have lost someone close normalizes their experience, builds community that lasts beyond the weekend, and gives them permission to be both sad and joyful at the same time.

How to Join

Apply through comfortzonecamp.org. Camp slots are awarded by application; financial situation never affects eligibility. Camps fill quickly so early application is recommended.