Taking Off the Mask: Lynne Hughes on Grief, Courage, and Comfort Zone Camp

What happens when a kid has to keep it together while their world falls apart? In this episode of Leaders of Today: Teens to Titans, host Lorraine Connell talks with Lynne Hughes—founder of Comfort Zone Camp, the nation’s first free bereavement camp for grieving kids. Lynne shares the moment her life changed forever: losing both parents young, walking into junior high the day after her father died, and learning to “blend in” behind a mask. That same experience became the seed of her mission—creating a place where grieving kids can take the mask off, feel normal again, and finally be understood. You’ll hear how Comfort Zone Camp works (weekend camps, “big buddy” mentors, Healing Circles, and real tools kids can use outside camp), why our culture is “death avoidant,” and how a tragedy like 9/11 unexpectedly expanded CZC’s reach across the country. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why grief often becomes invisible—especially in teens What “death avoidance” looks like (and how it isolates kids) How Comfort Zone Camp helps kids feel safe, seen, and supported Why healing is a choice—and how community makes it faster and less lonely How to Connect with Lynne / Comfort Zone Camp Website: https://comfortzonecamp.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comfortzonecamp/ LinkedIn (Lynne Hughes): https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynne-hughes-443b6240/