Meet Alyssa Peterson

When Alyssa Peterson’s grandmother passed away in 2003 it was the first time she had lost someone close to her. “I had no experience with grief,” Alyssa said. “I didn’t know what to do.”

Alyssa’s mother heard about Camp Evergreen, Center for Hospice Care’s grief camp for youth and teens who have experienced the death of someone significant in their lives.

“I went all weekend with my brother,” Alyssa said. “It was a blast. Spending time with kids my own age who were going through the same thing and learning how to grieve appropriately is so important.

Camp Evergreen made such a difference in her life that when her mother learned she could volunteer as an adult buddy, Alyssa jumped at the chance – even though she now lives hours away. “I love it!” she said. “I’ve been a day camp buddy for three years and plan on making it four. I want to make sure kids have the same great experience I had.

Like all of CHC’s bereavement services, Camp Evergreen is free of charge and available to anyone in our community. Thanks to our generous donors, Camp Evergreen has served 738 campers in its 20 years.