At first glance, it would appear that a birthday party was in the works. But these children were mourning the loss of their loved ones.
In the crowded banquet room of the Town & Country Sports Complex, an abundance of little voices echoing out into the hallway could be heard. Nearly 35 children were eating, talking and laughing. They were attending this week's STARS camp.
STARS is the brainchild of Marsha Linnemann of Linnemann Funeral Homes and James Ellis of St. Elizabeth Hospital. It is a 13-year-old outreach program that helps children better understand the loss of loved ones and find strength through their journey of grief. The program runs from September until May and hosts a wide variety of activities and creative outlets.
The second-annual STARS day camp took place July 1, at the Town & Country Sports Complex in Wilder. The main goal of the camp was to provide a one-day structured program that integrates fun and play with grief work activities.
Activities and workshops included: meditation and yoga to help clear the mind; symbolic necklace-making; rock climbing to demonstrate emotional and personal strength; drum-making to create a musical outlet for emotions; and an obstacle course. At the end of the day, there was a memorial balloon release. Each child wrote a letter to their loved one, tied it to the balloon, and released them to the sky all at once.
Laela, who was dealing with the loss of her mother, particularly liked the yoga and meditation. She also enjoyed the artwork she created. She said she attached an "Indian feather" to her necklace because her mother was part Native-American.
She said that she would recommend the camp to other children who are dealing with losses because, "if one of their moms died, it would make them feel better."
Andre, who was also dealing with the loss of his mother, said that he liked the art portion of the camp. He put colorful beads, buttons and flowers on his necklace because his mother loved colorful things and flowers.
"It allows them to become better adults. It’s a safe place. It allows the children to get their emotions out into the open and to express themselves," said Marsha Linnemann, director of After-Care Services at Linnemann Funeral Homes.
"Children need someone to listen. They need to be allowed to do what they need to do on their own time, in terms of grieving," she said.
According to Linnemann, there are many outlets for kids, and even adults, that help to cope with loss, such as: other outreach programs, counseling, books, art and play.
If your child is suffering from the loss of a loved one, visit
