Camp Widow

Camp Widow® Kids

Camp Widow® Kids Program

The Camp Widow® Kids program is a unique, one-day experience designed for children ages 5-17 who are accompanying a registered Camp Widow® participant. It’s held alongside Camp Widow events in Houston and Chicago and is free for participating families, thanks to the support of donors and sponsors.

Program Highlights

  • Peer Connection: A supportive atmosphere that mirrors the connection-focused experience of Camp Widow for adults, building a community of peers.
  • Engaging Activities: Offers theme-based activities, outdoor fun, team-building games, and dedicated time for the children to honor their loved ones.
  • Safe and Supportive Environment:Creates a secure space for children to share their stories, connect with others, and build narratives around their experience.
  • Narrative Building: Guides children in exploring how and when to share the story of their parent’s death among peers who understand their loss.

Participant Reflection:  “My favorite thing has been meeting people who are similar to me. We all have one thing in common, and we can talk about it and have a good time together” Noah, age 15

Parent Reflections: “Giving the kids the opportunity to get to know other kids in a similar situation, I feel it is just as important for them as it is for us.”  “My daughter felt normal. She said everyone understood what she was going through.”

Volunteer reflection: “It’s beautiful to see the immense love and understanding for each other coming from such tiny humans. Watching the kids forge what will hopefully be a lifelong support system gives me joy and hope; reminding me that while we are resilient, we are stronger when together.” Christine

Camp Widow Kids has had the privilege of providing a space for families to honor their loved one and process their shared grief experience in a unique side-by-side program that has been building community—and supporting families— since 2016. 

Program Details

    • When/Where: 2026 Locations: Seattle (April 18th) and Chicago (June 13th)
    • Who: Young people ages 5-17, accompanying a registered Camp Widow® participant
    • What: A program designed to provide age-appropriate coping tools and a supportive peer community for children who have experienced the death of a parent.
  • Cost: FREE! Funding is provided by Soaring Spirits sponsors and donors to ensure that families can access this program regardless of their ability to pay.

Registration

Registration for Camp Widow Kids is open for all kids ages 5-17 who have experienced the death of a parent. Children attending Camp Widow Kids must be accompanied by a parent attending Camp Widow. Each child requires individual registration, but there is no additional cost for the Camp Widow Kids program.

 

 

Schedule

9:00 – 9:30 | Group Gathering (All Together)
Welcome, icebreakers, setting the tone for the day.

9:30 – 10:00 | Community Building (Age Groups)
Small group bonding, games, check-ins.

10:00 – 11:00 | Activity #1 (Age Appropriate, from activity list below)

11:00 – 12:00 | Lunch

12:00 – 1:00 | Outdoor / Game Time
Active play, team-building, movement.

1:00 – 2:00 | Activity #2 (Age Appropriate, from activity list below)

2:00 – 3:00 | Activity #3 (Age Appropriate, from activity list below)

3:00 – 4:00 | Age Group Gathering
Reflections, sharing, wrap-up in smaller groups.

4:00 – 4:30 | Group Gathering (All Together)
Closing activity, gratitude, calming transition.

Camp Widow Kids Activities

At Camp Widow Kids, our goal is to offer a flexible program that responds to the needs of the group in the moment and also provides a supportive atmosphere where children can build friendships with peers who share a similar loss. We strive to create a safe space where stories emerge naturally, helping children begin to shape their own narratives around their parent’s death. These narratives guide them in exploring how and when they want to share their story as part of their healing journey.

The activities listed below are provided as examples, with each one adapted to be age-appropriate. Activities may include:

  • Art and Music – creative expression as a way to process feelings
  • Summer Camp–style Games and Play – fostering teamwork, laughter, and connection
  • Facilitated Improv and Storytelling – encouraging expression and confidence
  • Journaling and Reflection – quiet opportunities for self-expression
  • Community-Building Exercises – strengthening bonds within age groups
  • Memorial Activities – creating tangible ways to remember and honor parents

Because each group of children is unique, activities vary from camp to camp. Our program is intentionally designed to remain responsive to the needs and energy of the children in attendance, while always keeping our focus on the central goals of peer connection, safe expression, and meaningful exploration.

Sponsorship Opportunities 

We are deeply grateful for the generous donors and sponsors who make Camp Widow Kids possible at no cost to our families. Their support allows us to extend the impact of Camp Widow to the children of our campers, creating a space for healing and connection for all. If you’re interested in sponsoring this vital program, please visit our sponsorship page. We would be honored to partner with you—and even welcome your employees as part of the experience, creating meaningful engagement with this heartfelt program.

Volunteer Opportunities

We welcome all adults who have a passion for supporting grieving children to join our Camp Widow Kids Volunteer Team. If you’re interested in providing a positive, compassionate presence for our young campers, please submit a volunteer application HERE, and our team will be in touch. 

Note: All volunteers over 18 must complete a Livescan screening.

Thank you for helping us create a space of healing and community for our widowed families.

Camp Widow® Kids Director

Meet Dr. Michael Rodriquez AKA Big Mike, named by the kids he has worked with over the past 30+ years.

Dr. Rodriquez heads up our Camp Widow Team as the Director of our kids programming. Dr. Rodriguez graduated from the California School of Professional Psychology with both a Master’s Degree and a Doctorate in marriage and family therapy. He earned licensure as both an MFT as well as a Clinical Psychologist.

On a personal note, Big Mike is the proud dad of Juliet and Portia and proud bonus dad of Dominique and Dante. He played football for Royal High and graduated in 1993. Mike attended Cal State Northridge and graduated with a degree in Urban Planning. During this time he was the youth director for many high school and junior high programs for four different youth programs in the California area (St Paschal’s, St Rose, St Julie’s and St Edwards). Mike coached high school football at Oak Park High School and served as the youth leader for Hospice of Conejo.  Mike loves travel, and he is passionate about volunteering his time in the service of others. Mike is also a Soaring Spirits International Board Member.

Camp Widow® Kids Program Administrator

Meet Chris Montrose! Chris was widowed in 2012 after her husband, Don, died suddenly from a heart attack at age 37. Her daughter Dominique and son Dante were 4 and 1 at the time of his death. Since his death, they have all tried to fit as much life and adventure into their world as possible. Chris first attended Camp Widow in 2015, and Dominique and Dante have attended Camp Widow Kids since its beginning. All three found such incredible support at Camp that Chris started volunteering for Camp Widow and Soaring Spirits to try to give some of that same support to other widowed people and their families.

Chris has a Bachelor of Science in Business from California State University, Channel Islands. She runs a successful business in Ventura, CA. Along with her business, she is also a full-time mom and bonus mom to Dominique, Dante, Juliet, and Portia. Chris, Mike, and the kids love to travel the world and take as many trips as possible every year to explore new places, meet friends new and old, and soak up as much family time as possible.