HOLLYWOOD, Md. – Greenwell Foundation welcomed Delegate Todd Morgan to Greenwell State Park on Thursday, June 19th, as he demonstrated his support for Camp Sunrise, a partnership camp with Hospice of St. Mary’s and Greenwell Foundation.
Camp Sunrise is a summer camp for children ages 7-16 who are grieving the loss of a loved one. The camp ran from Wednesday, June 18th through Friday, June 20th and incorporated different activities, art projects, and games, to help campers learn about grief and how to process it.
This year, Greenwell Foundation hosted the camp at Greenwell State Park and provided therapeutic recreational activities including horse connection sessions and guided kayaking on the Patuxent River.
St. Mary’s Hospice Bereavement Coordinator, Patricia Watson noted the profound impact of this partnership, “It was inspiring to see the campers who attended Camp Sunrise go from being wary about coming to a “grief camp” to being excited to show up every day. Partnering with Greenwell Foundation allowed us to use new tools this year to help our campers navigate their grief, as we explored nature and practiced new skills! Our campers learned that they are not alone in their grief.”
Delegate Morgan began his visit at the beach where he greeted campers and camp staff as they kayaked and explored the shoreline, posed for photos, and directly addressed the group. He then traveled to the barn where he met with Greenwell equestrian staff and horses and learned about the many benefits of equestrian therapy, including success stories from the foundation’s expanded Veteran & First Responder Therapeutic Recreational Retreat Program.
Greenwell Foundation Executive Director, Maria McDonald, noted how the show of support from Delegate Morgan made a difference for the campers, partnership, and Greenwell Foundation, “The visit with Delegate Morgan exemplified the power of a private-public collaboration between two nonprofit partners set among the abundant natural environment of Greenwell State Park. Three different entities working toward one common goal, to provide the children of Camp Sunrise a safe and welcoming environment to help heal and restore. We are tremendously grateful for the opportunity to do so.”
For more information about Greenwell Foundation and their therapeutic recreational programs, please visit www.greenwellfoundation.org.
About Greenwell Foundation
Greenwell Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to providing accessible and inclusive programs, services, and facilities for all community members, with and without disabilities, in Southern Maryland. The foundation operates in Greenwell State Park, a 600-acre property along the lower Patuxent River in Hollywood, Maryland.