Camp Widow Tampa
Friday
Camp Widow Opening Session (9:00 AM - 10:00 AM)
Join Soaring Spirits International Founder & CEO, Michele Neff Hernandez, for opening remarks. Read More
Block 1 (10:15am - 11:45am)
Moderator: Teresa Beshwate
Our Newly Widowed workshop track has been designed for widowed people whose widowhood began within the past twelve months. Read More
Moderator:Tanya Villanueva-Tepper
Our Recently Widowed workshop track has been designed for widowed people who were widowed anywhere from one to three years ago. Read More
Moderator:John Polo
This track is designed to meet the needs of people widowed between three and five years. Read More
Moderator: Dr. Nancy Saltzman
There are many common misconceptions about the length of time widowed people will need the support of their community. Read More
Block 2 (1:00pm - 2:30pm)
Human brains think about 60,000 thoughts per day. Some are true and useful, while others are nonsensical and cause extra, unnecessary suffering during a time that is already profoundly difficult. In life after loss, our thoughts can be overwhelmingly dark and hopeless. And in contrast, our thoughts that can light the path forward. In my […] Read More
“How do I find my footing?” As widowed people, no matter the time after the loss of our partner, we find ourselves faced with what, where, when, why, and how to navigate many aspects of our lives. Join Mel and Anita in this interactive, fun, actionable, and informative session specifically for finding a confident and […] Read More
Loss of a spouse or child is one of the most devastating events a person can endure. Maybe you feel that joy is no longer on the table or an option anymore. Gina Pastore, Debbie Siciliani, and Debi Rooney describe how to take the beginning, faltering steps that blossom into a joyful life – of […] 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
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
Block 3 (2:45pm - 4:00pm)
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
As a widowed parent managing your own grief, healing, and self-care is challenging enough. Layering on the grief of your child(ren) can cause additional pain, stress, worry, and struggles. This workshop will provide you with a deep understanding of your child’s own unique grieving process and how it differs from your own. Tools and hands […] Read More
This workshop is about music as a tool in our grief journey. I will lead a discussion of the impact music can have on our bodies and feelings, and also a review of grief themes in Dylan’s songs and how they give us words for the immense and sometimes indescribable feelings we experience in grief. Read More
Dating in general is hard. Dating as a widowed person, when you never thought you would have to date EVER again – can be INCREDIBLY scary & confusing. In this workshop, we will look at the basics of dating, AND so much more. From guilt and fear, to self-esteem and self-worth, how to get back […] Read More
Moderator: Bobby Moss
This workshop gathers our LGBTQ+ Community together to share our experiences as a widowed person in a safe space. 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
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 Kim Hamer, long-time Camp Widow presenter and author of 100 Acts of Love: A Girlfriend’s Guide to Loving Your Friend through Cancer or Loss, a must-have guide for anyone who has a colleague, employee, or friend dealing with cancer, loss, or depression. The book is filled with 100 simple and effective ways to […] Read More
Block 1 (10:15am - 11:30am)
According to Pew, nearly one quarter of Americans claim “none” as their religious affiliation, with nearly a third reporting that they seldom or never attend church. Historically, religious communities and faith traditions helped the grieving with structure and ritual that provided comfort, community, compassion, and a way to seek meaning in what might otherwise seem […] Read More
Moderator:Anita Coyle
Anita 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.
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Greg Roman presents 19 years of a widowers’ perspective and how other widowed people, dealing with similar widowed grief, have helped him along the way. Mr. Roman is a former Chairman of the Board for Soaring Spirits and remains active on the board. He has also attended over a dozen Camp Widow events and conducted […] Read More
This workshop will provide you practical insight on how a mindset shift changes the trajectory of your life. This will also challenge you to think beyond your trauma to a life you are proud of living. Read More
Traumatic losses often divide widow(er)s from friends, family, society, and even other widows. Negative assumptions and stereotypes about these kinds of deaths and the spouses that survive them can cause ongoing pain. Read More
Block 2 (11:45am - 1:00pm)
When your loved one dies you may find it overwhelming to navigate through all the financial decisions you have to make. Join Erin Hente, host of the Now What? Navigating Life After Loss Podcast, as we explore practical ways to process through emotions, establish your key decision-making criteria to make more informed decisions about your […] Read More
Your partner just died, and you are returning to work. Your coworkers or boss don’t know what to say or how to treat you. Maybe you just started a new “post-death” job without knowing your loss history. How do you navigate your “new normal” at work? What do you say to well-meaning but hurtful coworkers […] Read More
Have you wondered why some people are able to handle everything thrown at them throughout their lives while others struggle day to day? We know that each person’s grief journey is unique. So are our resiliency quotients. In this presentation you will hear a story of love, loss, and resilience and the research that helps […] Read More
Moderator:John Robinette
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
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
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
Block 3 (2:45pm - 4:00pm)
Join coach, author and speaker John Polo as he presents his “Self-Care: A Fresh New Look” workshop. In this workshop we will look at self-care in new and innovative ways. Thinking outside of the box we will expand our view of self-care, while discussing its importance and practical ways to begin to implement self-care into […] Read More
Loss is a universal and yet very unique experience. Together we will look at how to take the lessons of loss and use them to propel yourself from a life in which you merely survive to a life in which you thrive and create new purpose, peace and meaning. Read More
Moderator:Michele Neff Hernandez & Michael Dare
Can you imagine yourself on a date? Do you even want to start dating again? What will your family and friends say when you decide to start dating again? Does it matter? Read More
Traditional legal estate planning documents help pass on your financial assets and “stuff.” But your true treasures are worth much more than money and possessions. You can share your values, heritage, relationships, hopes, memories, and stories with family and friends in a Legacy Letter. Join us for an upbeat, interactive session. You’ll learn more about […] Read More
The iRestore workout combines breath work to relax and lower stress in the body, self-massage (using a 36 in foam roller, 2 therapy balls in a bag, and a tiger tail stick) to help relieve muscle tightness, soreness, and inflammation, and stretching to help improve blood flow and lengthen of the muscles. Read More
This workshop is for those whose loss was not recognized or respected by friends or family. Whether because you were not legally married, in a non-traditional relationship, had never disclosed it, or it was just not accepted, you did not receive the support traditionally given by society to the bereaved. We will discuss the many […] Read More
Block 4 (4:15pm - 5:30pm)
Join speaker, bestselling author, certified health coach, and widow Marie Scott as she takes her audience through the life and health transformation possible using her 7 Steps to Healing After Loss. Marie’s humorous and heartwarming story of navigating grief and her proven method of healing the mind, body, and spirit gives the audience the roadmap […] Read More
The loss of a spouse ranks as one of the most devastating events a person can endure. Chances are you may feel that joy is no longer on the table or an option anymore. This workshop will help you begin to make those steps back to a joyful life no matter the circumstances. 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
Come have fun with Anita & Mel, hosts of the Widow We Do Now? Podcast as they host the Camp Widow Game Show. This will be a chance to unwind and laugh at the ridiculous situation we are in as widowed people and maybe even win a prize. Audience participation will make you a part […] 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
Evening Banquet (7:00pm - 11:00pm)
Sunday
Closing Session Breakouts (8:30am - 9:30am)
Please join your Newly Widowed community for a discussion of the weekends’ 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
Please join your Recently Widowed community for a discussion of the weekends’ offerings from the point of view of those who are widowed from one to three years. We will also be providing information on how you can stay connected with your widowed community through Soaring Spirits’ programs. Read More
Please join your Middle Widowed Community for a discussion of the weekend’s offerings and to reconnect around the joys and challenges of being widowed three to five years. We will also be providing information on how you can stay connected with your widowed community through Soaring Spirits’ programs. Read More
Please join your Seasoned Widowed Community for a discussion of the weekend’s offerings and to reconnect around the joys and challenges of being widowed five years or more. We will also be providing information on how you can stay connected with your widowed community through Soaring Spirits’ programs. Read More