Cornerstone’s Kids Program

Cornerstone is excited to share our NEW Cornerstone’s Kids program!  All children ages 6-17 living in Lake, Sumter, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties are eligible to participate in our program!

Cornerstone’s Kids was developed with the intention of creating a safe space for children to express themselves, while also helping to alleviate stress that comes with the natural cycle of life. With utilization of art therapy, creative writing, storytelling, play therapy and visualization, among other modalities, children can feel most comfortable exploring their thoughts and feelings through a medium that comes naturally to them.

As a member of the Cornerstone’s Kids program, your child will receive the following:

• A Cornerstone’s Kids welcome packet
• Access to exclusive member-only events
• Monthly Cornerstone’s Kids event calendars
• A card mailed out every year on his/her birthday
• A card mailed out every year on the death anniversary of his/her loved one (for bereaved members)
• Option to participate in Camp Bridges (for bereaved members)

Click HERE to register your child as a Cornerstone’s Kids member

 

Camp Bridges

Monday, June 2 to Friday, June 6, 2025

Camp Bridges is a FREE, annual, overnight week of camp for children and teens grieving the loss of a loved one held at Camp Boggy Creek, 30500 Brantley Branch Road, Eustis, Florida.

What is Camp Bridges?

If your child or teen has experienced the loss of a loved one, then you may want to think about participating in our annual, overnight bereavement camp. There is nothing more important than reaching out to kids and helping them deal with their grief in an environment filled with compassion, understanding, empathy and fun to promote the healing process for each camper.

Cornerstone Hospice has offered Camp Bridges for almost 30 years, helping children ages five to high school with a therapeutic experience. We weave fun activities into an opportunity to share observations about the natural cycle of life and death.

Camp Bridges offers a unique opportunity for children who are grieving to join together in a safe space where they can connect with other kids who are going through a similar experience.

There is No Cost — Camp Bridges is funded by our generous sponsors, allowing your child to attend camp for free.

Child Eligibility

• Kids/teens between the ages of five to 17 who have experienced a significant loss.

• Must live in one of our service counties: Hardee, Highlands, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Polk and Sumter.

• Their loved one did not have to receive care from Cornerstone Hospice.

If you are interested in registering your child/teen as a camper for Camp Bridges 2025, please register here (Must be completed by the child’s parent and/or guardian).

If you are interested in volunteering as a camp counselor for Camp Bridges 2025, please apply here (Respectfully, to not interfere with the camper’s progress, we request that no parents of campers sign up as a volunteer for this event. If you have questions about this, please email us at CornerstonesKids@cshospice.org).

Children’s Bereavement Counseling

Children tend to grieve differently from adults, which means they require a unique and compassionate approach when helping them understand what has just happened to their loved one. Children don’t always know the words to verbalize how they feel about loss, and oftentimes try to be the “strong” one by delaying their grief process for the benefit of others. Talking to a specially trained professional can help!

Is your child struggling to cope with their grief after a loss? Our Children’s Bereavement Counselors are available Monday through Friday for individual bereavement counseling sessions. Please email cornerstoneskids@chaptershealth.org if you are interested in your child participating in individual bereavement counseling.

Group Counseling

Whether your child is struggling with grief after loss, or your teen is having a challenging time coping with recent world events, Cornerstone offers a variety of virtual support groups designed to meet the needs of children and teens in the central Florida area.

At this time, our Children’s Bereavement Counselor is offering the following support groups:

• Virtual Youth Grief Support Group – This group is open to any child ages 6-11 who has experienced a loss due to death, incarceration, or deportation of a loved one. The group meets every first Monday of the month from 3pm-4pm.
• Virtual Teen Grief Support Group – This group is open to any teen ages 12-17 who has experienced a loss due to death, incarceration, or deportation of a loved one. The group meets every first Tuesday of the month from 3pm-4pm.
• Virtual Teen Talks Support Group – This group is open to any teen ages 12-17 who is experiencing stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The group meets every first Wednesday of the month from 3:30pm-4:30pm.
• Virtual Kids Yoga Group – This group meets every Monday from 4pm-4:30pm for a kid-friendly guided yoga practice. Open to all children ages 6-11.
• Virtual Teens Yoga Group – This group meets every Tuesday from 4pm-4:45pm for a teen-friendly guided yoga practice. Open to all teens ages 12-17.
• Virtual Mindful Mondays – This group meets every Monday from 8:00am-8:15am for a guided mindfulness practice.

Please email CornerstonesKids@cshospice.org if you are interested in participating or have questions about the groups offered.

About Our Children’s Bereavement Counselors