Published: May 01, 2008 07:59 am      

Camp Promise ‘Fishing Day’ is May 3

Local News

Children and teens, who are grieving the loss of a special person or loved one or are affected by someone who is living with cancer, are invited to a day of fishing and outdoor fun with their families.

Youth, ages 6 to 18, are invited to a free Camp Promise Family Fishing Day on Saturday, May 3, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on a farm in northern Pulaski County.

Fishing, games, crafts and other fun activities and a cookout for youth and their families will provide an opportunity to “destress,” share feelings – if desired – and get support from others who understand the grief experience.

Children and teens experience grief differently from adults and often don’t know others their age who are grieving and, therefore, feel completely alone in their grief.

The loss of an important person in their life might be as a result from illness, accident, suicide, incarceration, permanent termination of custodial rights or loss of their home due to fire.

Camp Promise aims to bring youth and families together for a day of support, acceptance, awareness, fun, relaxation and remembrance.

Parents or other family members are encouraged to participate with the youth, but adult participation is not required for youth to attend.

Hospice of Lake Cumberland, which hosts Camp Promise, has teamed up with the American Cancer Society and the Pulaski County schools to provide an exciting day outdoors for youth and their families.

Participants will have a wide variety of activities in which they may choose to participate including fishing in a stocked pond, planting in a flower pot and decorating the pot, limbo and parachute games, coloring sand and making journals.

Each youth participant will also receive a special friend in the form of a stuffed animal with a hand-made blanket and message of support and comfort. Hospice social workers, support staff, Hospice volunteers and American Cancer Society volunteers provide staffing for the camp.

Youth may bring fishing poles and life jackets if they have them, but equipment will be provided for those who do not have them. Fishing will be on private property so a fishing license is not required.

Transportation to and from the farm will be provided by bus from the parking lot of Hospice of Lake Cumberland, 100 Parkway Drive, Somerset, just off the Parkway (west) and Tiger’s Way, next to the Pulaski County Cooperative Extension building.

Advance registration is free, but required. Applications are available by contacting Hospice of Lake Cumberland at 606-679-4389 or 800-937-9598 or the American Cancer Society at 606-678-0203. Same-day registration is available if a phone reservation is made in advance and the parent or legal guardian will be present to sign permission forms the day of the camp.

Camp Promise is made possible through generous donations made by individuals to Hospice of Lake Cumberland. Hospice of Lake Cumberland is a non-profit organization which serves Pulaski, Wayne, McCreary, Russell, Casey, Clinton and Cumberland counties.