What families say about
Camp Amanda–Minnesota
"This camp was an awesome experience for all four of my kids. They were able to express a lot of feelings that have been hiding for 5 years since their dad died. My youngest was just a baby then and now she's grieving what she never got to have and her brothers did. Thank you for helping my children heal."
-- From a mother of four children whose father was killed when they were all under the age of 7.
"Thanks! The camp was great!! The girls haven't quit
talking about it."
-- From the mother of a 14-year-old and 9-year-old camper
whose sister died.
“We are very pleased. She had a great time and met
a lot of new friends. Most importantly, everyone there understood
how she felt. She was having some trouble feeling like she
didn’t have closure and no chance to say goodbye –
I think this helped her out a lot. Also, knowing that other
kids experienced conflicts with friends at school not being
supportive.”
-- From the mother of a 12-year-old camper whose brother
died.
My son has just returned home from Camp Amanda. It was
such a wonderful experience for him (and me). I just can't
say enough good things about how good everyone made us feel.
You could just feel the love the second you walked in. Even
though this was his first camp experience, I can't imagine
there will ever be anything better. Thank you so much for
taking such good care of my son. He could hardly wait to
get to school to tell his teacher and friends.
-- From the mother of a 7-year-old camper whose dad died.
“He really enjoyed camp and his counselors spent
a lot of quality time with him. He has opened up some and
even told me that he cried twice at camp, but ‘It’s
ok to cry at Camp Amanda’. He is doing less acting
out and has even reminded us that we are still a family.
God bless you for helping us.”
-- From the mother of a 6-year-old camper whose sister
died.
"My daughter seems much calmer and more at peace.
She talks about camp a lot and even brought her camp photo
to school! That was something she never would have felt
comfortable doing before!! She talks about her dad more
to the family and even went to school and showed her class
her Camp Amanda stuff! I think it is an experience she'll
treasure for many years. You helped her feel normal again
and not so alone."
-- From the mother of a 12-year-old camper whose dad
died.
“Both of my son’s grandma’s died right
after camp. I don’t think he would have dealt with
this at all if not for Camp Amanda–Minnesota. His
bear candle went to grandma’s funeral and was on the
altar with her ashes. He has been lighter and easier since
camp – not so angry.”
-- From the mother of a 10-year-old camper whose grandfather
died.
“To everyone at Camp Amanda,
I want to express my sincere Thank You for the wonderful
weekend you gave my grandson. It will certainly be a time
he will always remember. He really enjoyed the weekend and
to get to be with children who can understand his loss of
his mother. I think it is very important for children to
have some support during traumatic losses. Sometimes they
are forgotten about, when the adults are so wrapped up in
grief themselves. Thank you very much.”
-- From the grandmother of a 10-year-old camper whose
mom died.
What campers say about Camp
Amanda–Minnesota
How did you feel when you first came to camp?
“Worried and sad” -- 10-year-old boy.
“Really scared because I did not know if anyone would
like me” --12-year-old girl.
“Excited” -- 7-year-old boy.
“Nervous. I didn’t know if people would like
me.” -- 11-year-old boy.
“Scared. I didn’t know anyone and I just wanted
my mom.” -- 9-year-old girl.
“Scared. I didn’t know anybody.” --
12-year-old girl.
“I was scared because I didn’t know if everyone
would like me.” -- 13-year-old girl.
How did you feel at the end of camp?
“I felt like I knew everyone and I also felt great!!!!”
--10-year-old boy.
“Really sad because we had to leave. It was so good
being able to say good-bye to him because I did not get
a chance to before.” --12-year-old girl.
“Good” -- 7-year-old boy.
“Good, didn’t want to leave.” --
11-year-old boy.
“Happy. Wanting to stay cause I made friends and
had fun.” -- 9-year-old girl.
“Happy. It was so fun.” -- 12-year-old
girl.
“I felt like everyone was friends! And I didn’t
wanna leave.” -- 13-year-old girl.
“I had a fun time at Camp Amanda. My best part was
painting the shirts.” -- 6-year-old girl.
“I liked camp a lot. I want to go back.” --
6-year-old boy.
