A Place to Heal, A Place to Grow

Preparing for the closing ceremonies

Aside from having award-winning summer camp and year-round youth development programs, Jameson Camp also acts as a rental facility for weddings, banquets, team-building activities, and many other events.  One group in particular that has rented from Jameson year after year is Camp Healing Tree (CHT), a program offering grief support for children and teens that have recently lost a loved one.

On Friday, August 19th, Camp Healing Tree welcomed its campers, marking the 21st year the weekend event has been held at Jameson.  So why does CHT continue to rent from Jameson year after year?  Anne Ryder, who has been involved with the group for 12 years, thinks she knows why.
“There’s something here,” she said.  “I think it has to do with staying open and it’s like a field of grace at the camp.  It’s a special place.”

Beep beep.  Back up the camp bus.  Who is Anne Ryder you ask and why does that name sound familiar?  Well, if you’re from Indianapolis, you might remember her from NBC’s WTHR-TV.  And if you’re from Calcutta, you might remember her from her interview with Mother Teresa.  “It was like being in the presence of a light source,” Anne said.  “What’s interesting is a lot of times she didn’t feel this light.  She was in some internal darkness and turmoil.”

Anne speaking about her own tragedies

For most of Camp Healing Tree’s children, they also felt anguish before arriving at Jameson.  But the support of CHT and the peacefulness of Jameson Camp allowed them to release their deepest emotions.  “It’s all in the thread of connection around grief and loss,” Anne said.  “We can’t do it in our everyday lives.  We’re too busy.  You need a camp or a retreat place for that.”  As Jameson Camp’s tagline says, ‘Get outside. Grow inside.’

For as long as children need social support, programs will be there to help.  And for as long as these programs need a place to stay, Jameson Camp will be there to help.

“I love it,” Anne said, her final line echoing the thoughts of Jameson Camp to many of Indiana’s residents: “I’ll be out here as many years as they want me.”

Balloon release to remember loved ones

Jameson Camp provides rentals for many wonderful events like Camp Healing Tree.  Among them are church retreats, family reunions, corporate events, weddings, birthday parties, and much more!  If your program or group would like to create lasting memories and needs a place to rent, please check out http://www.jamesoncamp.org/facilities/.

Kevin Johnson

kevin@jamesoncamp.org