Camp Widow

Third Annual Camp Widow Begins August 12, 2011

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Unique Camp provides resources and hope for widowed people

(Simi Valley, CA) May 8, 2011 – When you think of summer camp – typically outdoor showers, cabins, and camp fires come to mind.  For Camp Widow™ – the description is slightly different – outdoor showers are replaced with hope, cabins with support and camp fires with tools for rebuilding lives.  On August 12 -14 widowed people from five countries and 28 different U.S. states will gather at the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina for the third annual Camp Widow™; a two-day workshop that provides practical tools, valuable resources, and peer-based encouragement for transforming lives following the death of a spouse or life partner.

This extraordinary camp was created and is sponsored by the Soaring Spirits Loss Foundation (SSLF), a non-profit organization committed to providing compassionate community support to widows, and anyone grieving the loss of a loved one. “We are thrilled to be holding the third annual Camp Widow™ and to realize the positive impact this program is having on so many widowed people,” said Michele Neff Hernandez, founder and executive director of SSLF.

Over the last three years Camp Widow has been fortunate enough to garner an impressive lineup of renowned national and international experts and presenters in the area of grief; and this year is no exception.  Twenty four workshops will be presented with topics ranging from remarriage to managing finances to using scents to heal.  This year SSLF is pleased to have as the headliner presenter Matt Logelin, founder of the Liz Logelin Foundation and author the recently released new book Two Kisses for Maddy – A Memoir of Loss and Love.  Other notable presenters and speakers for Camp Widow include the following:

  • Abigail Carter – author of Alchemy of Loss and 9/11 Widow;
  • Carole Brody Fleet – author of Widows Wear Stilettos and ALS widow;
  • Robin Craig – host of The Mingle Media TV Network and Houston Chronicle on-line edition columnist – Today’s Widow;
  • Dr. Laura Slap-Shelton – psychologist, author and founder of GriefandRenewal.com; and
  • Michele Neff Hernandez – executive director of Soaring Spirits Loss Foundation, founder of www.widowsbond.com and Widow Match.
  • Gloria Horsley, PhD, MFC, RN — internationally recognized grief expert and cofounder of the Open to Hope Foundation;

The Global Panel returns, with a discussion on the similarities and differences of the widowhood experience in the U.S. and developing countries; and closing out the event is the traditional Widow Dash 5k run around the Marina.  Registration for Camp Widow is now open online at www.campwidow.org, click on the registration tab. The cost of the event is $375, which includes – the option to attend introductory workshops on Friday, one ticket to the Friday evening Welcome Reception; keynote address; choice of four workshops on Saturday; access to the event bookstore; one ticket to the Soaring Spirits Semi-formal Award Banquet; entry for the Third Annual Widow Dash 5K; and one ticket for the farewell breakfast buffet.

For more information about Camp Widow contact Michele Neff Hernandez via email at [email protected] or visit the website at www.campwidow.org. The Soaring Spirits Loss Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation based in Simi Valley, California.

About Soaring Spirits Loss Foundation:

Soaring Spirits Loss Foundation was established in May of 2008 to provide a unique peer-based support community for grieving people.  Up to now, this segment of the bereaved community has been underserved and often overlooked.  SSLF aims to change that by leveraging a social-media-based infrastructure with key programs designed to inspire, inform, comfort, and provide practical help for the bereaved.  For more information about SSLF visit the website at www.sslf.org.