Methodist Medical Center is accepting camp registrations for children age 5 – 18 who are working through issues of grief following the death of a loved one. “Kourage Kids” is a free one-day outing for 75 young people.

This year’s camp will be held at Camp Manitoumi in rural Lowpoint on Saturday, October 2, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Buses will leave the Methodist Atrium Building (900 Main Street) at 8:00 a.m. and return by 5:00 p.m. The camp agenda includes games, face-painting, crafts, sports, and horseback riding. Methodist provides lunch as well as transportation to and from the camp free of charge.

Kourage Kids is staffed by many Methodist employees and volunteers as well as a number of skilled professionals and volunteers from the Central Illinois area.

Linda McKinney says, “Statistics show that one out of twenty children will experience the death of a parent by the age of 18.” She continued, “Children who have lost a loved one to death can experience a wide range of emotions, including sadness, fear, anger, and guilt.It helps tremendously for them to share their thoughts and feelings in a setting with both their peers and caring adults.”

McKinney says most participants in the camp are referred through a variety of sources including schools, churches and funeral homes.

For more info and registration, contact the Methodist Medical Center Hospice Office at (309) 672-5746. Funding for the one-day camp is provided by the Methodist Medical Center Foundation.