"We came as visitors, we left as friends"

"My sisters both enjoyed their weekend at camp, I believe they felt some weight lifted off their shoulders. I learned that it was alright to express how you feel."

"My favorite part about camp is making the memory stones."

"I liked camp a lot it was a lot of fun! My favorite thing was obviously the water slide! The rock wall was also really fun. "

"At first I wasn’t really sure if I wanted to go or if I was gonna like it. But then when I got there it actually wasn’t that bad talking to someone and just knowing someone is there when you need them is a pretty great felling. Also they do a lot of fun stuff at camp."   Hannah Welsh

"I liked spending time with Kyle and just being myself…and learning how to play gaga ball. I haven’t laughed as hard in forever"

"Well it was very fun and I have a lot of great memories."  Mikela 

"I had an amazing time at Camp Live, Laugh, Love. There is a water slide that is a blast. Camp Live, Laugh, Love is a very helpful and fun camp to go to."

"Camp was fun. It gave me something to do and people to connect to. It offered some healing and some good memories. I would definitely recommend going. "

 "This camp was one of the most non-judgmental camps I have ever volunteered for, they are accepting of every child and their circumstances. No matter your situation, you will feel comfortable sharing within a few hours. Every single person involved in this camp is positively impacted in some way!"

"As a teen buddy, my camp experience was so awesome. I enjoyed being able to listen and to experience camp together. You gain skills on how to help others that are going through a rough time. "

"Volunteering as a buddy was great once again. It truly is an amazing experience to watch the children grow, learn that it is ok to talk, cry, and laugh when talking about their loved one. 

It was a great experience. Helping my camper changed him. We keep in contact and it is amazing. If you are thinking about volunteering for camp, I would recommend it. You have an opportunity to change someone’s life and you are doing a good thing. "

"Camp is a way to join together with others who’ve lost loved ones and grieve in a positive way. Most people want to be left alone in the event of a loss but this camp is a safe place that brings people of all ages together in memory of their loved ones." ~ Kyle

"Volunteering for camp to help the kids shows them that everyone goes through tough times, but the best way to grieve is with the love of others whether it be friends or family." ~ Kyle

"Camp Live, Laugh, Love was a very emotional experience. I really connected with my camper even though we came from very different backgrounds and had experienced different losses. The setting and activates at camp allowed people of all grief stages to open up and connect. Coming from a person who experienced a significant loss as a child, I would highly recommend Camp Live, Laugh, Love to any family who is processing the loss of a loved one."

"Camp is a great experience that allows kids to connect to peers it helps kids overcome fears and nobody judges each other." 

"If someone asked me if they should volunteer at camp I’d tell them they should do it. Not only does it help with our grieving process but you create a great bond with the campers and other volunteers. I loved the waterslide. Bonding with my camper was one of the best things. It is certainly a time to remember." 

"Since my cousin, Justin passed away in 2015, I never really dealt with my feelings that arose and I pushed them away. Anytime I talked about him I could not control getting upset so I avoided talking about him. Before camp, I was worried about how I would be able to deal with this around the campers because I was there to help them not me. However throughout camp, I was able to understand and cope with these feelings that I had been holding onto, and I grew from my camp experience. I’m thankful for having this opportunity, and for being able to meet people going through something similar to me. Volunteering for this camp is an opportunity to not only help others but to help yourself as well."   Breanna O.

 "Matthew was very excited about his experience he still talks about his mentor and leaders and his attitude has changed a lot. "

"I was very impressed by the camp and how helpful it helped my child."

"I had 2 children attend the camp they both had a wonderful time & came out with a better understanding of what happened. "

"The buddy system is amazing!! The volunteers are very kind & understanding which was helpful to the kids."

"Overall this was a wonderful thing, an experience that helped my children to express themselves in a positive way. It let them know its ok to talk about their brother. "

"Thank you to everyone for allowing my family to be involved in this amazing & life-changing experience."

"My son really enjoyed going to camp. It helped him open up. He still brings up the things he got to do."

"Michela & Hannah had the best time of their lives! It was nothing but positive and we hope to be able to make a donation every year! A wonderfully positive experience for these kids. God Bless all of you who donate you7r time and love to these kids."

"My son attended the camp and came away from it learning some good lessons on how to grieve and talk about things."

"My son loved going to camp he really felt great having other kids around him that have also suffered a loss. "

"Both boys had an amazing experience. They made a good relationship with their camp buddies. Camp helped them gain strength, build trust and opened up their minds."

"My grandson has been to other camps and this seems to be the most helpful. We’ve enjoyed the after camp effects on my grandson."

"The kids get their memory books out every night to write something in it. 

I believe this camp helped them with some emotional troubles they were having. 

My daughter often looks through the book she made at camp and my son often refers to something about when he was at camp. Both kids came home happy and excited about the weekend they had. "

"The camp was a great experience for Kayla because of the opportunity to meet people with some understanding of what the death of a loved one brings into your life. "

"Being active and having the opportunity to share feelings if they so wish, is a blessing. In Kayla’s specific case I believe it relaxed her mind from the day to day process of being the only adolescent in our community with such an experience. "

"Thank you so much for the opportunity you folks provide with the dedication of your time and love. "

"I would recommend this camp to any child going through the loss of a loved one I believe It’s a great opportunity for kids going through the same experiences to have a chance to talk about their loved ones. "

"Our grandsons Nick & Bryton both enjoyed the camp and particularly their buddies. Camp seemed to lessen their burden of losing their dad. Their younger sister will hopefully be going to camp when she is old enough. Thank you everyone who participated in easing our grandchildren’s burden."

"Hannah & Mikela had a great time at camp and learned quite a bit about not being alone in this. They both really liked and connected with their buddies. We are so very glad the girls had this opportunity. Thank You!"

"I think the camp was a positive experience for Cheyenne. She hasn’t talked about it much but she frequently wears her t-shirt even to school. Chey said she liked her buddy Josie and she texted her this morning. As her grandparents, we have felt she really resisted sharing things with us. We are gradually becoming more trusted with her private life. I really do think her quiet strength is her way of coping. When she shares her feelings I feel so trusted and comforted. Her mother was my best friend as well as my daughter so we have a shared loss. "

"Sierra felt very comfortable and was able to bond and share her feelings with her camp buddy. It was a very positive experience and the activities were fun and interactive. "

"It was a great experience for our son to be with other kids his age and going through some similar things. His camp buddy was a girl which he wasn’t happy about at first but grew to be really close to her. He really missed her when we left. We ended up getting separated from his teen buddy Sam when leaving. Jeffery jumped in the car and we left without an official goodbye. About 30 seconds down the road he was inconsolable. We turned around & luckily met Sam getting in her car in the parking lot. We were so glad he had someone he connected so deeply with. The camp always does a great job with the buddies as we sent 2 other kids the previous summer the same results."

“I’d say, personally, that it’s a great experience as not only is it fun, but you’re really helping the child with their coping process and I think that’s truly great.”

“Camp is a great place to meet a lot of amazing people who have lots of love in their hearts. You can interact with many different people and it’s a great way to heal a broken heart. Many children are skeptic to come, but after seeing/feeling all the love and care there is, they love every minute of camp.”

“Camp is truly magical experience of caring and compassion. It’s all about the children. The children are surrounded by teen buddies, volunteers, staff and so much love. The activities and group experiences are purposefully done in honor of the loved ones with the openness to express feelings of any kind-happy, sad, quiet, and spiritual.  It’s a beautiful stepping stone in the child’s healing journey and long-lasting relationships are made.”

“Camp is amazing! It is such a wonderful, encouraging, and loving environment. I learned that love is all around you. You just have to be willing to be open. For every child that has this loss, don’t be afraid. (That’s hard to do). Be prepared to let love in!”  Tyler Ranger (also former camper)

“Camp is a great experience and a lot more fun than it sounds. When I tell people about camp their first comment is usually along the lines of “That sounds so sad! Why would you want to do that?” Yes, sometimes camp is sad and it can be emotional. However, those moments are deeply touching and make camp worth it. It is so moving to be able to help a child/teen who has lost a loved one. I always recommend it to anyone how asks about it.”

“I love camp. It is such an honor to be a part of something so healing. I love the activities and crafts. I would recommend this camp to anyone who is considering it. It’s enlightening and an experience you will never forget. Each moment is so incredibly special.”

“Camp was a really fun and unique experience. It was a great feeling knowing I was able to help someone else in their grieving process. It was a fun weekend being around so many happy and upbeat people.”

“Camp gave me the ability to have an impact on a child’s life. I enjoyed camp and I enjoyed seeing the growth in my camper. Someone who is considering volunteering should have a heart for this type of work/experience. Anyone who volunteer sat camp will have an amazing experience.”

“I love coming to camp because even after losing my mom three years ago and attending in 2014 as a camper, then returning as a buddy for two years, I still learn better ways to grieve and connect every year. We’re all one big family, no matter the distance, time apart, no matter anything. We’re a family of love, understanding help and care.”  Dylan Susewitz (former camper and buddy)

“Once again this camp was such a great experience! My second year volunteering and I feel like I helped in such a great, tremendous way! I enjoy hanging out with everyone for the weekend. I think anyone who wants to volunteer should. I would want them to feel how I do every year after camp. I feel so good and happy as ever after camp, able to help children like someone did for me when I was a camper.”

“I think that the camp has a great goal in helping kids deal with grief. I never got to go to any camp like this or even counseling, so this has helped me as well. I would tell someone to just keep an open and compassionate mind for your camper.”

“My camp experience was very enjoyable. I loved the atmosphere and the amount of energy the kids had. I would tell anyone to come volunteer at Camp Live, Laugh, Love.  It is a life-changing experience and is very important to the kids. The impact it has on the children is absolutely amazing. I didn’t believe it in my first year, but the results show. My campers’ reaction when they saw me at the reunion really helped me realize the impact we truly have on these children. I am most definitely coming back for many years to come.”

“I felt very welcomed and accepted by the staff. I was included by everyone. I enjoyed getting to know the staff and campers. I liked talking to with campers and buddies about their loved ones.”

“My camp experience this past year was amazing. I and my camper got super close at camp and seeing each other at the reunion had us both excited. My camp experience every year is amazing and I love connecting with my campers every year.”

“My camp experience was fun. I got to meet new people and learn new things. I would say that I highly recommend it, the camp was a lot of fun and can change a child’s life.”