Louisville Summer Camp Helps Children Cope with Grief After the Loss of a Loved One

Hosparus Health’s G-FORCE Summer Day Camp returns June 9–12 for youth ages 8–15

Hosparus Health, is hosting its fourth annual G-FORCE Summer Day Camp from June 9–12, 2026, providing a supportive, therapeutic environment for children ages 8–15 who are coping with the death of a loved one.

Led by licensed professional counselors from the Hosparus Health Grief Counseling Center and supported by trained volunteers, G-FORCE helps children build coping skills, express emotions in healthy ways, and connect with peers who understand their experiences. The program combines evidence-informed grief support with creative and experiential activities designed to help children feel less alone in their grief.

“Grief can be isolating for young people, especially when their friends may not share similar experiences,” said Joe Ferry, LPAT, CT, Grief Counselor and Camp Director at Hosparus Health. “G-FORCE provides a supportive environment where campers can address their loss, build resilience, and most important, connect with peers who truly understand what they are going through.”

Each day of camp includes thoughtfully designed activities that help campers learn age-appropriate concepts about grief, build coping skills, and still enjoy a meaningful day camp experience:

• Tuesday: Expressive storytelling and emotional processing through theater games with Kentucky Shakespeare
• Wednesday: Exploring how humans and animals respond to loss at the Louisville Zoo
• Thursday: Learning about remembrance, rituals, and cultural perspectives on death at Cave Hill Cemetery, including a Q&A with local funeral professionals
• Friday: Exploring the mind-body connection through movement at the YMCA, a Q&A with medical professionals, and time at Calypso Cove

Camp takes place daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., beginning at the Hosparus Health Grief Counseling Center, 3532 Ephraim McDowell Dr., Louisville, KY. Morning and afternoon snacks and lunch are provided.

One parent of a 2025 camp participant shared, “The change in my child is incredible. He is openly talking about his father. He seems lighter and happier.”

Thanks to community support, the program is offered free of charge, with a recommended donation of $150 per camper to help sustain future grief programming.

G-FORCE is funded, in part, by grants from Kosair for Kids and WHAS Crusade for Children.

Registration
Space is limited. The application deadline is Monday, June 1, 2026. To learn more or register, visit: https://link.hosparushealth.org/gforce2026 or call 502-456-5451.

Camp Flyer
Download G-FORCE Summer Camp flyer