Camp Widow Tampa
Friday
Camp Widow Opening Session (9:00 AM - 10:00 AM)
Join Soaring Spirits International’s Deputy Director, Angeline Thomas, Camp Widow Program Director and Virtual Programs Manager, Mary Moore Hughes, Programs and Education Manager, Susan Hannifin-MacNab, and DEI Officer, Sade Ariyo for opening remarks. Read More
Block 1 (10:15am - 11:45am)
Moderator:Jenny Sellers
Our Newly Widowed workshop track has been designed for widowed people whose widowhood began within the past twelve months. Read More
Moderator:Teresa Beshwate
Our Recently Widowed workshop track has been designed for widowed people who were widowed anywhere from one to three years ago. Read More
Moderator:Dr. Nancy Saltzman
Our Middle Widowed workshop track has been designed for widowed people who were widowed anywhere from three to five years ago. Read More
Moderator:Markell Morris
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)
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
The big question of widowhood is now what? When everything has changed after the death of your person, building a life of meaning for yourself can feel daunting, if not impossible. What is left after every part of your life has been dismantled? How do you trust the dreams you may build? Do you use […] Read More
This workshop will explore the art of writing poetry as a vehicle for working with the wide range of feelings, experiences, and memories, specifically as they relate to grieving and change. This will be an experiential workshop where we gently and boldly use writing to honor our loved ones, hold memories, and move forward. Read More
Learning to live, then like, and maybe even love, your widowed life. We have all experienced the immediate rejection of our widowed life. The objective is to have participants explore ways to mitigate the worst parts of their widowhood experience and to have people come away with the hope that they can find genuine happiness […] 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)
Everyone struggles with the question, “What do I do with all the stuff?” From Overwhelmed To Organized will provide you with your personal roadmap to downsizing and decluttering after the loss of your person. You will leave this class with an empowered mindset, concrete strategies, and answers to your organizing questions. Read More
You’ve experienced a loss that has you feeling like you’re standing in the rubble of a shattered life and broken dreams. You’re feeling dazed, confused and stuck. You’re wondering what to do now and how to move forward. While the future feels so uncertain, you can pick up the pieces and create a meaningful life […] 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
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: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)
In this workshop, we explore the complexities of grief experienced by individuals with non-traditional losses. Participants from diverse backgrounds join us to challenge societal norms, discuss diverse forms of love and loss, and navigate support systems. By the end, attendees gain a deeper understanding of disenfranchised grief, validation for their experiences, and a renewed connection […] Read More
This workshop empowers widowed people facing financial challenges on their journey. Delve into Kathleen’s story of widowhood and review startling statistics on the realities widowed people confront. Gain insights into how grief, emotions, and stress affect financial decisions. Explore the three stages of widowhood with financial implications for each phase. Information is provided to help […] 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.
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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
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
Do you love our programs? Have you enjoyed being around your tribe at Camp? Are you already involved with a Regional Group? This workshop will be held by Angeline Thomas, Soaring Spirits’ Deputy Director, Mary Moore Hughes, Soaring Spirits Camp Widow Program Director and Virtual Programs Manager, and Sade Ariyo, Soaring Spirits DEI Officer. Angeline, […] Read More
Block 2 (11:45am - 1:00pm)
When you’ve been widowed, it’s easy to feel like you’re going crazy. You feel like you aren’t “yourself”, you don’t understand what is happening to you, and many of those around you don’t either. Read More
Good is Not Great: You survived the initial year. You figured out how to function again. Parts of life are actually good now. But it feels more like existing without truly living. You wonder, “Is this all there is?” The answer is no. Good is not the same as great. It’s okay to want more. […] Read More
While widowed people navigate grieving their tremendous loss, for many there is an added struggle about how to help their adult children. It comes at a time when you barely know how to manage your own emotions, much less your children’s. If you have an adult child who is grieving their parent and you simply […] 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
“Nurturing Your Nervous System” offers a class delving into somatic techniques to shift the body from “fight or flight” to “rest and digest.” After trauma, the body releases adrenaline and cortisol, affecting heart rate, metabolism, and immune function. This stress response impacts the brain’s amygdala and hippocampus regions, influencing emotion and memory. Somatic exercises, emphasizing […] 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
Block 3 (2:45pm - 4:00pm)
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
This workshop is for people who are neurodiverse and are navigating their widowhood with those additional challenges – and super powers! We will focus primarily on ADHD and Autism, but we welcome anyone who identifies as neurodiverse. We will learn about how the characteristics of neurodiversity intersect with the impacts of grief, and how you […] 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
Join NAACP award-winning Global Nonprofit Founding Director, Certified Grief Coach, Author and Speaker of Young, Black & Widowed for an uplifting interactive workshop to help you find and fuel your transformative passions post-loss! Azurae was widowed by lung cancer at age 27 in 2017 while 5 months pregnant and with their 10-month-old on her hip. […] Read More
Moderator:Dr. Nancy Saltzman & Greg Roman
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
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 4 (4:15pm - 5:30pm)
Explore the unique and sensitive journey of parenting a child who exhibits challenging behavior after the loss of a parent. Drawing from personal experiences and expertise, Kim Murray of the Widow Squad will provide valuable insights into effective communication strategies and coping mechanisms as you navigate the complexities of grief while nurturing your child’s emotional […] Read More
When your loved one dies it may feel like you’ve just arrived in a foreign land….where everyone is now speaking a different language, and you are feeling lost without a sense of direction. In this session, we will explore grief as a multidimensional journey, drawing parallels between emotional and physical travel, and discovering the healing […] 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
With grief, "the only way out is through", and for me, the only way through is with humor. Read More
Evening Banquet & Memorial Activity (7:00pm - 11:00pm)
Join us for an evening banquet dinner, memorial activity and dancing! Costumes, semi formal, and casual welcomed! Read More
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