Remarkable Women: Woman Leads Local Charity Helping Colorado Kids Cope with Grief
By: Katie Orth Posted: Mar 20, 2024
DENVER (KDVR) — Grief can hit us all at any time, and unexpectedly. Barb Kamlet sees this firsthand — that’s why she helps lead Camp Erin, an outlet for hurt people to come and cope freely.
“I’ve had death and losses as a child, but mostly as an adult. Some profound ones,” said Kamlet.
She plays a profound role in helping grieving children heal in Colorado.
“It’s a mixture of traditional camp things, so campfires and s’mores and ice cream, that sort of thing, and we do group activities,” said Kamlet.
Camp Erin Denver was founded in 2014 with the help of Kamlet’s charity, Shimmering Wings. The camp is a free weekend escape for grieving children.
“Any kind of loss, it could be a parent, grandparent, cousin, friend,” said Kamlet.
The goal is to give Colorado kids an outlet to cope with their loss. Kamlet said when kids don’t heal from their grief, it can result in major issues down the line.
“Huge statistics of things like incarceration, substance abuse, communication issues,” said Kamlet.
Camp Erin allows kids to temporarily forget their worries. It’s a place where children can talk about their grief and be seen and heard.
Kamlet said she always tells the kids, “It’s OK to cry, it’s OK not to cry. You are not alone.”
“I hear consistently from my clients, ‘You saw me, you heard me, you let me tell my story.’ That’s what gets me out of bed, that I can provide that for people,” said Kamlet.
Kamlet has been nominated as one of FOX31’s Remarkable Women.