Amidst the fun of archery, swimming, hiking, and canoeing, campers at Ridge Haven Retreat and Conference Center will do an unusual craft this summer—building a “memory box” to commemorate a loved one.

Some 120 campers, ages 10 to 18, will gather in June for “Camp Brave Heart,” Ridge Haven’s first camp designed specifically for grieving children.

“We’ll encourage them to build a memory box to honor their loved one and help prepare them for future moments of grief, like graduations, birthdays, and weddings—times when their loved one should be there,” said Rebecca Hagedorn, director of operations at Ridge Haven.

“It takes such courage for a child to walk the journey of grief,” said Hagedorn. “When someone’s world has been shaken, that’s the time when their worldview becomes essential—death prompts questions that most people don’t dare to ask.”