BAKERSFIELD, CA -- Like most summer camps, the Optimal Hospice Foundation kids camp has sports, swimming, and activities.
But this camp adds something else. It brings together children who have lost a loved one in the last year.
This is the camps 21st year. Every year, there are new children, new losses, and a new chance to check it all at the door and be a kid.
On a ranch near Hart Park, in between the splashing and playing, we met Analiese Solosando.
"I lost my dad," Solosando disclosed.
They are grown up words from a young girl. And each of the kids at the Optimal Hospice Foundation Kids Camp have just recently felt a similar pain of loss.
"Loss is hard. Um, think as an adult what we go through when we deal with loss. And just multiply that when it comes to kids," said Cherie Shoemake, Optimal Hospice Foundation Director.
Here, kids ages eight to sixteen get to have fun, find strength to lift themselves up, and, in this tough time, turn to each other for help.
"And just sitting back and kind of watching them connect and you will just see them sort of, you know just tap each other and say, I know. It is powerful. It it powerful to watch them connect with each other. It's just power," said Cindy Stone, the camp's bereavement counselor.
For more than two decades, this camp has been able to embrace these kids in their times of need thanks to donations.
"I love this camp. I thought I was the only one that lost somebody," said Solosando.
"I get to know about their loved ones and get to have conversations about them and get to know them," said Luke Gamble, a fellow camper.
"It's helped me a lot because it doesn't make me sad that much any more," said Solosando.
It is a break from the pain, playing with others going through the same thing, and learning, even when things don't go right, eventually, they will.
"It really does provide a safe place just to be able to find those first bursts to say, man I am sad. Or if they just want someone to talk to," said Stone.
"And a kid comes up and wraps their arms around you, and says thank you. Um, you know you made a difference in someone's life and that's just beyond amazing," said Shoemake.
Optimal Hospice takes referrals to the camp all year round, and they encourage everyone to make the referrals early.
They accept donations. For more information, visit: http://www.optimalhospicefoundation.com/index.php/events/kids-camp