Discovering Hope Camp
A place where grieving kids can find hope
What is Discovering Hope Camp?
Discovering Hope Camp is Heart of the Cumberland’s annual grief camp for children and teens—a one- or two-day experience created specifically for youth in grades 2–8 who have experienced the death of someone they love. Offered completely free of charge, this special program gives young people a safe and supportive place to connect, share, and find moments of joy in the midst of loss.
What Camp Provides
Children arrive at camp often feeling nervous, unsure, or weighed down by emotions too big for their age. Throughout their time at Discovering Hope Camp, they learn something powerful: they are not alone.
Campers take part in meaningful, age-appropriate activities designed to help them express their grief and understand their emotions, including:
Art expression projects that help them communicate feelings they may not yet have words for.
Group chats led by trained facilitators where kids can share stories, ask questions, and say their loved one’s name out loud—sometimes for the very first time.
Outdoor games and movement, reminding them that it’s okay to have fun again.
Shared meals that help build community and comfort.
Each part of camp is thoughtfully created to weave together healing, connection, and genuine childlike joy.
Camp’s Impact
Since 2022, Heart of the Cumberland has had the privilege of walking alongside more than fifty grieving children through this program—many of whom return year after year. Each camper comes with their own story, and our hope is the same for all:
That any child who enters camp feeling overwhelmed or unsure will leave feeling seen, supported, and hopeful about the journey ahead.
Interested in Registering a Child?
Discovering Hope Camp is completely free for families, offering a safe and supportive environment for children and teens.
For the privacy and safety of all participants, we provide camp location details only after registration and a brief pre-camp meeting with families.
To get started, simply fill out the application below.
If you have any questions, we’re here to help. Call our office at (931) 525-2600 and ask for Makayla Ramsey, BEST Groups Program Manager, or email her at makayla@heartofthecumberland.org.