 A weekend camp for children and teens who've lost a loved one
"How could a parent ever repay you for Camp Erin and what it has given my kids? The effects have lasted long after camp, and both of them are functioning at a much higher level than before camp." - Father of a 2006 Camp Erin®-King County camper Camp Erin®-King County is a weekend, overnight camp for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 17 who are grieving the death of a loved one. The camp is named after Erin Metcalf, a 17-year-old patient of Providence Hospice of Snohomish County who died in 2000 and was a close friend of Jamie Moyer (former All Star pitcher for the Seattle Mariners) and the Moyer family. The Moyers founded Camp Erin in honor of Erin's memory. Now in its fourth year in King County, Camp Erin will be held on August 22-24, 2008. Campers will participate in the weekend camp at Camp River Ranch, near Carnation, Washington. The camp is facilitated by professional staff affiliated with Providence Hospice of Seattle's Safe Crossings program, as well as trained volunteers. Adult “Big Buddy” volunteers offer additional support and companionship for campers. Camp Erin®-King County is free of charge to all participants thanks to an initial grant from the Moyer Foundation and the continued support of the Providence Hospice of Seattle Foundation.
More than your typical camp
Camp Erin is a traditional, high-energy camp that emphasizes fun while also providing support and education to kids who are grieving the loss of a loved one. In addition to typical camp activities (swimming, kayaking, evening campfires, nature walks, arts and crafts, games and more), Camp Erin provides opportunities for healing and companionship not found in other settings. “Camp Erin offers a caring environment. It is very powerful for the campers to have an opportunity to be with others like themselves who are experiencing the same things,” says Clarice Redmond, former Camp Coordinator.
Information and registration for campers
Camp Erin is free for all participants, but space is limited and registration is required. For more information or to apply for this year's camp (August 22-24, 2008), please contact Ward Stern, Camp Coordinator, at ward.stern@providence.org or 206-749-7689.
Volunteer at Camp Erin®-King County
If you're interested in volunteering at this year's Camp Erin, please complete a Camp Erin volunteer application and mail it to the address that appears on the application. For more information, please contact Ward Stern, Camp Coordinator, at ward.stern@providence.org or 206-749-7689. 
About the Moyer Foundation
In 2004 the Moyer Foundation gave Providence Hospice of Seattle a $125,000 grant to launch Camp Erin®-King County. This grant funded the camp's startup costs and provided Providence Hospice of Seattle with an endowment to ensure the camp's long-term growth. With the support of the endowment and the continued fundraising efforts of the Providence Hospice of Seattle Foundation, Camp Erin®-King County can be offered each year at no cost to grieving children in King County.
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