Knoxville (WVLT) - If your child has lost a loved one, there's a camp they can attend this summer to help them open up about their loss.

This is the 15th year for variety's "Katerpillar Kids Camp" which helps kids grieve a loved one who died after an accident, suicide, or an illness. It's held on the weekend of September sixth and seventh at Camp Wesley Woods in Townsend.

The camp staff will take those on age appropriate activities including canoeing and a ropes course. Then, trained volunteers will provide grief therapy activities like horse back riding, art projects and special group times. For many of these children, this is the first time they get the chance to open up about losing a loved one.

"They've been with their peers they've opened up learned not alone and feel they've released a burden they've been carrying around inside for so long," said Valerie Smith from Variety's Katerpillar Kids Camp.

This is the first year *teens are invited to the camp--students in grades one through 12 are invited. The camp is free.
For more information, call 374-0864.