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By Phyllis Hanlon
In the wake of Rhode Island's Station nightclub fire on February
20, 2003, various medical, social, psychological and financial resources
have been made available to survivors and their families. Last year,
children affected by the fire were invited to attend Camp Wave,
giving them an opportunity to express their grief with peers and
to enjoy some normal summertime activities.
Originally created eight years ago to reach at-risk male youths,
Camp Wave opened its doors to boys and girls between the ages of
eight and 13 who had lost a relative in the Station fire through
the efforts of John J. Reis, retired Providence police lieutenant
and president of the Rhode Island Juvenile Officers' Association.
Touched by follow-up stories of the tragedy, he sought a way to
offer support and encouragement to these youngsters. "They are also
an at-risk population," he says. "This trauma was so new, we didn't
think they'd have enough resources."
Reis contacted Sue DeFedele, psychiatric clinical nurse and community
bereavement specialist at Friend's Way, who welcomed the call. Together
the agencies coordinated the weeklong camp, which offered a blend
of healthy outdoor activities as well as a chance to share their
losses in a supportive environment. The youngsters participated
in a number of waterfront sports from swimming, kayaking and other
exercises, including a demanding ropes course and hiking. Reis's
group provided a tour of a police helicopter, brought a police horse
on-site and conducted games and activities focused on law enforcement.
Although the usual summertime pleasures were important for the
children, DeFedele says that the bereavement aspect afforded them
a unique opportunity. "Everyone at the camp had lost someone close,"
she says. Of the 23 children who attended Camp Wave, approximately
half were related to Station fire victims. "What's more important
was being near someone your own age who had experienced death,"
she says. "These kids were all feeling some of the same emotions."
An hour was set aside each day for the children to express their
grief through creative arts and crafts such as making memory boxes,
Tibetan prayer flags and dream catchers, and painting. "This part
of camp was based on the Friend's Way peer support model," says
DeFedele. "When you put kids with other kids, it's helpful for them
to hear about each other's losses."
She emphasizes that all of the children were given complete control
over their emotions and choice of activity. "These kids had a traumatic
experience. We didn't want them to feel unsafe. They were surrounded
by people who listened," she says.
The Juvenile Officer's Association also coordinated the location,
transportation, food and beverages. Reis notes that in two cases,
children lived in Massachusetts, a distance from any of the bus
routes. The local police chiefs pitched in and personally provided
transportation so these youngsters could attend the camp. "There
was a lot of cooperation all around," Reis says. Through the association's
generosity and fundraising efforts, children attended the camp at
no cost. The two agencies will team up again this year to hold the
camp on a three-day schedule.
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