Children’s Grief Camp 2025: How Galesburg Helps Kids Who’ve Lost a Loved One

For 25 years the Children’s Grief Camp has given grieving kids and teens (ages 5-18) a safe, completely free day to heal – and it’s back this Saturday, November 22 at Carl Sandburg College. Camp Director Doug Gibb joins Tyler Gumm and Jay Redfern on Galesburg's Morning News to explain: Why kids grieve differently than adults (and why the holidays can make it “especially heavy”) How the day works: memory boxes, heart pillows made from loved ones’ clothing, art & music therapy, yoga, pet therapy, Santa visit, and the emotional balloon launch by the lake Why former campers now come back as adult volunteers Advice for parents: what to say (and what NOT to say) to a grieving child How the camp stays 100% donor-funded and never turns anyone away Event Details 📅 Saturday, November 22 🕘 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. 📍 Carl Sandburg College – Building B, Galesburg 🎂 Ages 5–18 · 💯 Completely free 📞 Call Doug Gibb 309-368-3563 or visit www.childrensgriefcamp.org If you know a child who’s lost a parent, grandparent, sibling or friend – this camp has been a lifeline for hundreds of local families.