Children and Teen Support

"I feel better knowing that there are other kids who feel the same way I do." ~ Everett, age 16

How children feel inside is very different from how they appear "on the outside." The PATHways Center's Coping Kids Program provides consultations, assessments, groups and individual sessions for children and teens. Bereavement counselors provide a variety of services to families impacted by illness and death. Information, support, grief groups, written materials and individualized training on children and grief issues are also available.

Individual Consultation
If you would like to explore the individual needs of your child, teen or family impacted by serious illness or death, our bereavement counselors are available to meet with you. Should professional assistance beyond the scope of services we offer be needed, our staff can recommend additional support through local resources.

Coping Kids Family Support
Children ages 4–7, 8–12, teens ages 13–18 and adults grieving a significant loss each meet separately on Coping Kids support group evenings. While the children and teens participate in an activity, adults are encouraged to stay and talk with other adults and counselors about the challenges of parenting grieving teens and children. The PATHways Center offers this program throughout the school year. Click here for more information about Coping Kids Family Support.

"It's hard, but you can survive it. It gets easier as the memories come in and the grief goes out." ~12-year-old boy two years after his father's death

Camp Chimaqua Grief Camp
Camp Chimaqua is an overnight bereavement camp that provides a safe, accepting and healing environment where children learn to understand and express their feelings about grief and loss. Held one weekend each June, Camp Chimaqua is for children ages 6–12 who are coping with the death of someone they've loved. Click here for more information about Camp Chimaqua.

Additional Information
Apart from a small registration fee for retreats and camps, there are no fees for any PATHways programs due to the generous support from the community.

For more details about any of these services, please call the PATHways Center bereavement staff at (717) 391-2413 or (717) 733-0699.