Circle Camps for Grieving Children Inc

“The founder/ceo and the treasurer will review and approve the 990 before it is filed.”

“Governing documents are made available to the general public upon request.”

“Circle camps for grieving children provides free overnight camp programs for young girls who have experienced the death of a parent. The organization's mission is to offer the adventures and fun of living and playing together at overnight camps, while also providing supportive environments in which the girls 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 3 circle camps programs: circle of tapawingo in sweden, maine, circle of ekc in morgantown, west virginia, and circle summit in morgantown, west virginia. Our organization also provides consulting services to circle of fleur de lis in fitzwilliam, new hampshire. Circle of fleur de lis pays our organization a nominal consulting fee for the use of our name. They are listed on our letterhead and promotional literature, but they run a totally independent program, and are not a "related organization required to be listed on schedule r. Over the past 13 years, more than 350 grieving young girls have attended a weeklong circle camp. Volunteer counselors come from all over the united states, ranging in ages 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 are eligible to 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 amoung the campers week-long activities. 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 the following: (1) circle time, when campers can choose to talk about their deceased parents in the company of their bunkmates; (2) a circle of voices, a profoundly moving collection of camper writings compiled and "published" within 6 days; (3) the rock ceremony, where campers place a handwritten message on a rock in a memory garden; (4) circle of the stars talent show, where campers have an opportunity to perform before a large audience; and (5) camper campfire, where campers say goodbye to their circle family until the following summer. Circle camps are completely free to campers. Circle camps is a 501(c)(3) organization incorporated in pennsylvania in 2002.”

“No change in the process from the prior year.”