Hosparus Health Celebrates 30 Years of Healing at Camp Evergreen

New location, same mission: Supporting families through grief in a safe, nurturing setting

 
(LOUISVILLE, KY) —  For three decades, Camp Evergreen has helped families navigate one of life’s most difficult journeys — the loss of a loved one. While grief can feel isolating, this unique weekend retreat reminds children and caregivers alike that healing is possible, and no one has to go through it alone.

This fall, Hosparus Health proudly hosts the 30^th annual Camp Evergreen, a weekend retreat designed for families with children ages 6–18 who have experienced the death of someone close to them. The 2025 camp will take place October 10–12 at Loucon Training and Retreat Center in Leitchfield, KY, just 45 minutes west of Elizabethtown.

“Camp Evergreen is a space where grief is honored, healing begins, and families find community,” says Joe Ferry, MA, ATR-C, LPAT, CT, Camp Director and Hosparus Health Grief Counseling Program Manager. “Our staff and volunteers create an experience that balances the hard work of grief with recreation, connection, and rest.”

Families will participate in grief-focused workshops, remembrance ceremonies, and family-building activities — along with traditional camp fun like roasting s’mores by the fire. Private accommodations, meals, and snacks are included for the weekend. Bus transportation is available from designated pickup locations in Louisville, New Albany, and Elizabethtown for those who need it.

Camp activities include:

• Quality time together in a peaceful, wooded setting
• Cooperative family games and team building
• Specialized grief workshops led by licensed counselors
• Traditional campfire, complete with s’mores and songs and silent disco
• A celebration of remembrance to honor lost loved ones

“Grieving is hard work,” Ferry adds. “Camp Evergreen provides time and space where families can step away from their busy lives to do some very special self-care—to take a breath, reflect, and recharge.”

According to the 2025 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model (CBEM), 1 in 9 children in Kentucky and 1 in 10 children in Indiana will experience the death of a parent or sibling by age 18. Without support, these losses can lead to long-term emotional, academic, and social challenges. Camp Evergreen is just one of the many ways Hosparus Health Grief Counseling services meets the needs of grieving families in our community.

Thanks to the generous support of Kosair for Kids, WHAS Crusade for Children, and the Central Kentucky Community Foundation, Camp Evergreen remains affordable for families. Registration starts at $100 for a family of two, with each additional member just $25. Scholarships are available based on financial need.

Camp is open to any family in the community whose loss occurred within the past two years. Families of all compositions are welcome.

The application deadline is Friday, September 26, 2025. Register online or call 502-456-5451. Download the camp flyer.

For more information, call the Hosparus Health Grief Counseling Center at 502-456-5451.

Grief Counseling Services
Hosparus Health’s grief services are available at no cost to hospice patients’ families for up to 13 months after the loss of their loved one. For community members who did not receive our hospice care, we accept most major insurance plans with sliding-scale fees and financial assistance available for those who qualify. Our licensed counselors lead ongoing support groups to provide those grieving with accessible safe spaces to share their experiences with others. Visit hosparushealth.org/grief-counseling/ to learn more.

Media Contact
Dyan Duncan
Executive Director of Marketing & Communications