Circle Camps for Grieving Children Inc

“The treasurer will review the 990 before it is filed.”

“Although there have been no requests to date from the public to view our governing documents, these would be gladly provided upon request.”

“Circle camps for grieving children provides free overnight camp programs for young girls who have experiences the death of a parent. Our mission is to offer our campers the adventures and fun of living and playing together at overnight camps, while also providing supportive environments in which they can share their grief. Circle camps held its first program at camp tapawingo in sweden, maine in 2002 with 32 campers supported by 26 volunteer counselors. Currently there are 5 circle camps programs: circle of tapawingo in sweden, maine - circle west in malibu, california - circle of ekc in morgantown, west virginia - circle summit in morgantown, west virginia - and circle of fleur de lis in fitzwilliam, new hampshire. In the past 12 years over 350 grieving young girls have attended a weeklong circle camp. Volunteer counselors come from all over the united states, range in age from 19-74, and have a return rate of over 90%. Over the years the circle program has grown from a camper program for girls ages 9-12 to include a teen program for girls ages 13-14, a 2 year counselor in training (cit) program for former campers ages 15-16, and circle summit, a leadership/wilderness program for girls ages 17-18. Former campers become counselors at age 19. 7 former circle campers are now circle counselors. Regular camp activities are just a part of the circle experience. The program is unique in its integration of grief activities into the campers week. To be able to speak and cry about their losses, surrounded by the circle community, is the greatest gift circle gives to its campers. Exceptional, empowering activities include circle time, when campers can choose to talk about their deceased parents in the company of their bunkmates, voices of circle: a circle of voices, a profoundly moving collection of camper writings compiled and "published" in 6 days, the rock ceremony, where campers place a handwritten message on a rock in our memory garden, circle of the stars talent show, in which campers perform before a large audience, and camper campfire, when campers say goodbye to their circle family until the following summer. Circle camps are completely free to campers. Circle camps is a 501c(3) organization incorporated in pennsylvania in 2002.”