Grief Takes A Hike (GTAH) is Fox Valley Hands of Hope’s annual program for grieving families – providing them with a camping weekend where they can learn about self-care and coping techniques together, while interacting with others who have experienced similar loss. At the same time, they can enjoy indoor and outdoor recreational activities – in essence, telling grief to “take a hike”!
The 2018 Grief Takes A Hike Weekend will be conducted Friday, August 3, through Sunday, August 5, at the beautiful Inspiration Retreat Center in Walworth, WI. Our volunteers are already preparing activities, such as small group discussions, family crafts, a candle lighting ceremony, outdoor games and more. For more information, contact Jill Thorson at jthorson@fvhh.net.
Last year, children participated in age-appropriate small groups under the leadership of our team of trained volunteer facilitators. Adults were offered an early meditation group as well as small group discussion times. Men could participate in an all-male support group. And of course, swimming at the lake, family relay races and the evening campfires were big hits.
In addition to Fox Valley Hands of Hope staff, nearly 30 volunteers were involved during last year’s event – along with two therapy dogs. We thank Marv Kombrink, Jeannette Morris, Carol Kuebel, Ken Karczewski, Bonnie Dearborn, Julie Eyster, Phyllis Jacobs, Pam Kombrink, Robin Nelson, Joan Kelley, Barb Bikun, Michael Lykins, Jason Aldridge, Hali Aldridge, Kelsey Zollinger, Joanne Nebel, Beth Varchmin, Wende Lindmark, Soren Flessen, Ken Schneider, Lou Jacobs and Marissa Happ.
We offer special thanks to Charlotte Rievley, Suzanne Spry, Linda Reschke, Peggy Lindstrom, Pat Schue, Karen Bidanset and Jen Reemts who coordinated and created custom pillowcases for our families. Other volunteers working behind the scenes to make the 2017 GTAH a success were Mary Green, Jan Showalter, Sheila Murphy, Stefi and Eddie Torres, Loie Renner, Becky Gill, Julie Eyster, Clare Elms, Pam Ritchie, Mikaela Niermann, Bev DeJovine and Jessica Winkates.
A big thank you to Gina Highland, who supplied a pizza dinner and other goodies for each camper to enjoy on the bus ride to camp on Friday evening.