(Resources taken from Cap4kids, https://cap4kids.org/columbus/, please see their website for more sources.)
A four-day summer day camp for children and youth ages of 6-17 who have lost a loved one. The goal is to help kids survive the bereavement journey with skills, caring, and friendships to support them along the way. Camp Hope is open to the public. The camp is sponsored by Hospice of North Central Ohio (covering Ashland, Knox and Richland counties).
1021 Dauch Drive, Ashland, Ohio 44805
(800) 952-2207
hospiceofnorthcentralohio.org/types-of-care/bereavement-care
This summer program is a free, week-long, overnight grief camp for children and teens who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, or primary caregiver. It’s full of activities such as swimming, hiking, games and crafts, while having structured grief group counseling sessions with trained, licensed professionals. The camp takes place at Camp Oty’okwa in Hocking Hills, operating under Big Brother Big Sisters of Central Ohio.
Administration Office: 1385 King Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43212
(614) 506-7959
camplionheart.org
Open to anyone who grieves the death of a loved one. Offers over 35 grief specific support groups assisting with every type of loss, including loss of a spouse, parent, sibling, child, infant (including miscarriage), friend and those whose loved ones who died by suicide and murder. They also provide support through their newsletter, grief workshops, retreats and educational classes.
8857 Cincinnati Dayton Road, West Chester, Ohio 45069
(513) 870-9108
companionsonajourney.org
Offers trauma-focused, best practice and trauma specific services to children and adult victims, survivors, and co-survivors of crime and trauma at no cost.
Program: Services include individual trauma informed counseling, group therapeutic services, trauma informed yoga groups, play therapy, horticultural therapeutic programs and clinical case management
Eligibility: ages 5 and up who have experienced a traumatic event
Cost: free
Referral: They accept both self-referrals and professional referrals to the program.
(614) 234-5900
mountcarmelhealth.com/about-us/community-benefit/outreach-programs/crime-and-trauma-assistance-program-ctap
Provides grief support to children, teens, and adults who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Services for individuals and families include counseling, support groups, in-school grief support groups, workshops, and camps; Camp Memory, a day camp for children ages 6-13 and Camp Erin, an overnight camp for children ages 8-17. Families may also participate in remembrance ceremonies such as a butterfly release and candle lighting. Self-pay and insurance options are both available for individual counseling. Click here for information about their summer camps and support offered to schools.
1550 Old Henderson Road, Columbus, Ohio 43220
(614) 824-4285
cornerstoneofhope.org
Columbus: cornerstoneofhope.org/columbus
Offers several grief support classes, support groups and one-on-one counseling for kids and parents of all ages at several different locations in central Ohio. They have teen groups, preschool groups, infant loss groups and more.
800 McConnell Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43214
Columbus: (614) 566-5377
Delaware: (740) 615-0540
(888) 389-6231 Toll-free
ohiohealth.com/patients-and-visitors/support/grief-support-groups
St. Vincent Family Center (SVFC)
Grief Program: offers a 6-session virtual series of grief education and skill-building groups delivered by their Early Childhood Mental Health Consultants. Activities, books and supplies are provided free of charge by SVFS.
Eligibility: youth ages 3-5 years old and their caregivers who have experienced grief due to the death of an important person or pet
Cost: FREE to families
1490 East Main Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 252-0731 or (614) 824-5437, ask for Intake
svfc.org