Camp Widow San Diego
Friday
Camp Widow Opening Session (9:00 AM - 10:00 AM)
Block 1 (10:15am - 11:45am)
Lunch (11:45am - 1:00pm)
Block 2 (1:00pm - 2:30pm)
Author, writer, and widow Melissa Gould will guide participants in a healing writing workshop that explores the unexpected realities of widowhood. Designed to enhance acceptance and exploration of what it means to be widowed, this workshop considers that we are not living the life we were expecting due to the loss of our person. Through […] Read More
When our world is turned upside down by death, grievers are frequently encouraged to “get back to normal.” But how? There is nothing “normal” about the person we love being physically missing from our lives. What if instead of trying to recreate the past or even accept a new normal, we allow ourselves to be […] Read More
Need a laugh for your widowed soul – come laugh at the widowed life. This session includes improvisation games, comedy, participation and fan favourite ‘The Rant’. Remember what it was like to laugh? No? We forgot too but over time we learned to laugh again. Come share a laugh and maybe a cry and have […] Read More
This workshop will offer support for widowed people whose partners died by suicide. We will discuss coping strategies, offer psycho-educational information and provide time and support... Read More
There are many suggestions passed around on social media regarding what you should not say to someone who is grieving. Phrases like “She is in a better place.” or “You will find another partner.” though well-meant can cause additional pain to widowed people and create divides between friends and family members. In this workshop we […] Read More
Block 3 (2:45pm - 4:00pm)
There is no set time that is appropriate for sorting through your partner’s personal belongings. There is also no concrete plan for determining what you should do with them once you have sorted them! For most widowed people, the desire to begin the process of facing these physical reminders of a life lived begins with […] Read More
As a young widow, the kitchen was the place where I was best able to express my feelings. Cooking became my go-to coping tool. Recipe by recipe I made my way through the sudden death of my husband, and found both solace and inspiration along the way. Eventually my love for cooking led to a […] Read More
Create Bad A** Boundaries! Become a Master Boundary Maker Unlock yourself from the confines of energy depleting conflict, guilt, and the ‘shoulds’ within your most challenging relationships! Create freedom, ease, personal space and deep self-care possibilities by becoming a master boundary maker inside your grieving and healing journey. In this workshop, Jim will use a […] Read More
For people who want help envisioning a new future, re-establishing their personal and professional identity and discovering career possibilities that integrate what is most meaningful to them. Read More
Moderator:Simone Polak
This workshop gathers our LGBTQ+ Community together to share our experiences as a widowed person in a safe space. Read More
This workshop will address the issues involved when your partner has struggled with addiction issues. We will offer coping strategies as well as an opportunity to meet other people who have struggled with similar issues. Read More
We Have a Widowed Person for That (4:15pm - 5:30pm)
Every widowed experience is different, and yet the way the person you love died may influence how you grieve. At Soaring Spirits we’ve discovered that connecting with other people whose loved one died in the same way as yours offers a unique and powerful comfort as you move through your grief. We Have a Widowed […] Read More
Evening Reception (5:30pm - 7:30pm )
Saturday
Morning Session (7:00am - 8:00am)
Keynote Address (9:00am - 10:00am)
Please join Soaring Spirits Founder & CEO, Michele Neff Hernandez for our keynote address. Read More
Block 1 (10:15am - 11:30am)
How is grief different for the introvert? What additional challenges come up for those experience the world from the inside out? In this workshop, we will explore the characteristics of introversion and discover ways that grief can bring an additional layer of challenge. We’ll consider the benefits of proactive self-care and discuss small steps on […] Read More
Would you like to use expressive arts to listen to your own inner wisdom about your grief journey rather than what a grief illiterate [Insert all the stupid crap people say here] culture tells you? In this presentation/experiential workshop, you will see examples of how expressive arts can be used to find new meaning in […] Read More
Self-esteem and self-worth are two of the most important things. EVER. And while this is true for all humans, it is even more true for widowed people. As we fight so hard to survive, and eventually rebuild. In this workshop we will discuss the difference between self-esteem and self-worth, the importance of both, why widowed […] Read More
Dr. Carrie West found herself widowed at 29 and raising two young sons, Nathan who was 6 and Holden who was about 18 months. They learned to support each other in their grief and, as time went on, found ways to help others who experience the death of their partner or parent. Carrie now has a PhD in interpersonal and […] Read More
Moderator:Susan Hannifin-MacNab
Susan will be moderating a discussion about the challenging (and sometimes heartwarming) experience of parenting grieving children. She will be joined by a diverse group of widowed panel members who will share their personal parenting experiences addressing a variety of topics and answer questions related to parenting after being widowed.
Read More
Block 2 (11:45am - 1:00pm)
How do I minimize taxes when selling my home? What should I do with my investment and credit accounts? When should I start taking Social Security? As a widow of more than a decade, Carolyn understands how widowhood changes – and complicates – the answers to many of these questions. Whether you’re 25 or 75, […] Read More
This workshop will include information on how the body responds to grief, and how often our body will “remember” before our emotions realize what is going on. Breath work, brief meditation and chair yoga will be utilized to assist participants in exploring healthy options for dealing with trauma, grief, insomnia and physical issues that may […] Read More
After a loss, the sense of not knowing which way to turn can make navigating the healing journey of transformation confusing and exhausting, often with feelings of despair, anger, fear, loneliness and disbelief. Read More
Moderator:Jim Spelman
This workshop is focused on the needs of our widowers, and offered just for the men at camp. We will explore a variety of topics relating to being male and widowed. Read More
Making the decision to enter a new relationship, whether casual or serious, is a major step after loss but it can lead to new adventures, joy, and another great love in your life if you’re open to it. If you’re thinking of dating again, or you just want to talk about how much you miss […] Read More
When a person you love is grieving, witnessing their ongoing pain can be heartbreaking. Not knowing when the shadow of grief will lift or what event/sensory experience/person, place, or thing may cause a grief wave to knock your loved one down is confusing and can make providing meaningful support challenging. In this workshop we will […] Read More
Lunch (1:00pm - 2:30pm)
Block 3 (2:45pm - 4:00pm)
This session is presented by Teresa Beshwate The Sudden Widow Coach and Darryl Taylor of Coaching U Through. When the unthinkable happens, therapy, counseling and grief groups are traditional ways to get help, and each can be beneficial. Although grief coaching is typically not the first thing that comes to mind, it is a unique […] Read More
When your predictable world blew into a million pieces, were you left standing shell-shocked, not knowing if there were any tools that could possibly help you? Do you feel as though when your loved one died, you were given a massive bucket of GRIEF and/or TRAUMA to hold onto (full of physical, emotional, mental, social, […] Read More
This workshop is based on my personal experience of using music, and particularly music videos, as a means to discover their power in my SEARCH for meaning-making, gaining a sense of new self and hope. Music/videos can impact, evoke, direct, clarify, and support your feelings. Music (videos) are particularly powerful at helping to navigate our […] Read More
In the early months and years of the grief journey its almost impossible to imagine how a shattered life fraught with intense feelings of sorrow, anger, and more can ever be transformed. Read More
Block 4 (4:15pm - 5:30pm)
Grieving the loss of a primary relationship causes us to struggle in almost all aspects of our lives. Finding new coping strategies and full-body self-care techniques is one way to manage our profound emotional reactions. Come prepared to stand up and learn some basic movements of Qigong and Tai Chi Ch’uan as an approach to […] Read More
Is it your imagination, a coincidence or a loving hello from the other side? Learn how our loved ones in spirit wish to communicate through signs and synchronicities, how to recognize and embrace their “hello’s”, and what may be happening if you are not receiving signs. Also discover what takes place during a mediumistic reading […] Read More
Volunteering allows us to give back to our communities and inspires visions of sacrifice, compassion, and selfless love. But the act of volunteering is not just about giving; it is also about receiving! This workshop will explore the healing benefits that come with volunteering. We will discuss ways in which volunteering provides purpose while also […] Read More
Getting back in the game is hard, but finding love the second time around doesn’t have to be complicated. In their workshop Open to Love, Frank Powers and Gloria Horsley will share their personal and professional stories of love and romance the second time around. Participants will be encouraged to face their fears about dating […] Read More
With grief, "the only way out is through", and for me, the only way through is with humor. Read More
Banquet (7:00pm - 11:00pm)
Please join us as we celebrate Dia de los Muertos at our banquet and memorial activity. Costumes and/or cocktail attire welcome, but not mandatory! We welcome you in whatever way you feel most comfortable! Read More
Sunday
Closing Session Breakouts (8:30am - 9:30am)
Please join your Newly Widowed community for a discussion of the days’ offerings from the point of view of those who are widowed less than one year. We will also be providing information on how you can stay connected with your widowed community through Soaring Spirits’ programs. Read More