The Minnesota Foundation for Children grew out of Minnesota funeral directors’ concern and compassion for the grieving families that they assist and support every day. Funeral directors experience the grief of the big tragedies that grab headlines and the everyday tragedies that only the family mourns. The collective experiences of Minnesota’s funeral directors gave them the insight that children are often overlooked in the grief process and that the children bear a burden much too heavy for their small frames. Seeking to lighten this burden, the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association created the Minnesota Foundation for Children to bring hope and healing to school-aged children who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling or significant friend.

In 2001, the Minnesota Foundation for Children set about creating weekend camps for children in grief. In early 2002, we forged a partnership with Amanda Cares, Inc., of Des Moines, IA, the longest-running children’s grief camp providers in the country. Staff and volunteers from Amanda Cares, Inc., managed our initial camp and provide on-going support to our staff and volunteers. Our camps follow the camp model that Amanda Cares, Inc., has developed over their 22-year history. Our first camp was held in January, 2003.

To learn more about Amanda Cares, Inc., go to www.amandathepanda.org.

Through Camp Amanda–Minnesota, the Minnesota Foundation for Children provides three week-end camps each year. Camps are open to children and teens, kindergarten through high school. Each camp serves 40-50 campers. Camp is free to all participants and fill on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Foundation is funded through generous donations of Minnesota Funeral Directors Association members, others in the funeral service community, and many individuals, service clubs, and corporations that care about helping grieving children. Because of the on-going commitment and generosity of our donors, the Foundation’s grief services are free to all participants.

Camp is free to all participants and fills on a first-come, first served basis. The Minnesota Foundation for Children relies heavily on volunteers to staff our camps and run our day-to-day operations. Our Board of Directors is made up of 16 committed men and women who give their time and energy to this cause because they have seen the positive results that Camp Amanda-MN brings to kids and families. Click here for a full list of our Board members. Our camps are staffed by volunteer camp counselors and helpers who are committed to bring hope and healing to kids at a difficult time in their lives. Each camp volunteer has experience with children or youth and must pass a background check through the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.