Camp Widow Toronto
Friday
Camp Widow Opening Session (9:00 AM - 10:00 AM)
Join Soaring Spirits International Founder & CEO, Michele Neff Hernandez, for opening remarks. Read More
Block 1 (10:15am - 11:45am)
Moderator: Jenny Sellers
Our Newly Widowed workshop track has been designed for widowed people whose widowhood began within the past twelve months. Read More
Moderator:Bobby Moss
Our Recently Widowed workshop track has been designed for widowed people who were widowed anywhere from one to three years ago. Read More
Moderator: Julie Martella
This track is designed to meet the needs of people widowed between three and five years. Read More
Moderator: Markell Morris
There are many common misconceptions about the length of time widowed people will need the support of their community. Read More
Lunch (11:45am - 1:00pm)
Block 2 (1:00pm - 2:30pm)
When your loved one dies you may feel that you’ll never be functional again! In this workshop we will explore how to deal with the logistics of loss with a broken brain, utilizing organizing and productivity hacks. You CAN get your mind and space organized. Read More
A story slam is live storytelling based on a theme. Today’s theme is “How We Met” and the purpose is to remember, share and commemorate our Loved Ones through storytelling, emphasizing the significance meeting our Loved One played in the grand scheme of our lives. In this session, participants break into small groups and take […] Read More
Many widows and widowers have strong feelings about the word “widow”. Join Anita and Mel, the hosts of the Widow We Do Now? podcast as we have fun exploring different ways to think of this title forced upon us. This is a fun and interactive session exploring what the term “widowed” means, how to go […] Read More
Have you ever heard Michele Neff Hernandez and countless others say there is no right way to grieve and yet you still felt like you were coming up short somehow? Or have you felt like you’re grieving as fast as you can, but it’s still not fast enough? Learn about self-compassion and how it can […] Read More
Moderator: Bobby Moss
This workshop gathers our LGBTQ+ Community together to share our experiences as a widowed person in a safe space. Read More
Block 3 (2:45pm - 4:00pm)
This workshop will offer support for widowed people whose partners died by suicide. We will discuss coping strategies, offer psycho-educational information and provide time and support for participants to meet and interact with others in similar situations. Read More
Moderator: Greg Mais
This workshop is focused on the needs of our widowers, and offered just for the men at camp. We will explore a variety of topics relating to being male and widowed. Read More
Moderator: Marny Williams
Marny will be moderating a discussion about the challenging (and sometimes heartwarming) experience of parenting grieving children. She will be joined by a diverse group of widowed panel members who will share their personal parenting experiences addressing a variety of topics and answer questions related to parenting after being widowed.
Read More
For people who want help envisioning a new future, re-establishing their personal and professional identity and discovering career possibilities that integrate what is most meaningful to them. After losing a spouse you may have to go back to work or decide you want to change careers. However, the idea of relaunching your career after loss […] Read More
We Have a Widowed Person for That (4:15pm - 5:30pm)
Every widowed experience is different, and yet the way the person you love died may influence how you grieve. At Soaring Spirits we’ve discovered that connecting with other people whose loved one died in the same way as yours offers a unique and powerful comfort as you move through your grief. We Have a Widowed […] Read More
Evening Reception (5:30pm - 7:30pm)
Saturday
Morning Yoga Session (7:00am - 8:00am)
Keynote Address (9:00am - 10:00am)
Join Soaring Spirits International Founder & CEO, Michele Neff Hernandez, for our keynote address. Read More
Block 1 (10:15am - 11:30am)
I am sure we have all stayed awake at night wondering how the death of our kid’s parent is going to mess them up! We wonder if our support is enough and if we could be doing more. I know I was pretty sure I had scarred my kids for life…but 16 yrs later they […] Read More
Movement matters. Awaken your body and strengthen your mind while learning the basics of hula hooping in this playful movement class. Hula hooping is powerful movement medicine and can feel like pure joy. Discover this low-impact cardio activity and let your inner-child and dancer play. Let’s creatively move together with great music in a safe […] Read More
You have lived through those first critical years after the death of your partner and you made it through. But your grief is still there. It may not be as active as it once was, but it still lurks in the background of your everyday life. Learn new ways to cope with the current format […] Read More
This workshop is for those who have lost partners who weren’t legally married, and/or whose relationships were not known and/or recognized by others. We will discuss the many ways that this ‘invisible bereavement’ affects our grief experience and our ability to get support as we move through our grief. It will also provide a safe […] Read More
When your spouse dies, you may think your life is over. The reality is that a new life is waiting for you, and it can be a life of meaning and purpose. Together we will look at how you can create a space in your mind and home to welcome your future. Read More
Block 2 (11:45am - 1:00pm)
Anger is an emotion that often comes with grief. It is identified as one of the five stages of grief by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross. Many mistakenly feel badly about feeling angry, not knowing that it is a necessary path along the grief journey towards healing. Some people do not realize that they are angry or even […] Read More
We are all made up of several different “bodies” – our physical body, our energy body, and our mental body, each of which experiences grief in different ways. After the death of a spouse or partner, it’s common for our energy centers to be totally depleted while also being thrown completely out of alignment. Reiki […] Read More
Nearly one quarter claim “none” as their religious affiliation with nearly a third reporting they seldom or never attend church. Historically, faith traditions helped the grieving with structure and ritual that provided comfort, community, compassion, and a way to seek meaning in what might otherwise seem meaningless. How then are those of us without a […] Read More
When our world is turned upside down by death, grievers are frequently encouraged to “get back to normal.” But how? There is nothing “normal” about the person we love being physically missing from our lives. What if instead of trying to recreate the past or even accept a new normal, we allow ourselves to be […] Read More
Lunch (1:00pm - 2:30pm)
Block 3 (2:45pm - 4:00pm)
Heal your finances as you heal yourself. Widowed people face the unique challenge of having to make important financial decisions amid intense grief. This practical talk gently and compassionately provides widowed people with an overview of how to get organized with their finances and where to focus their attention as they move through the grieving […] Read More
How is grief different for the introvert? What additional challenges come up for those who experience the world from the inside out? In this workshop, we will explore what some of the additional challenges are for introverts in grief. We’ll look at what grief adds to the mix and explore small steps on how to […] Read More
An interactive approach and discussion of happiness with techniques to a happier life, while respecting grief and the obstacles it presents in the aftermath of losing one’s partner. Read More
Moderator: Holly Wagg & Sean Boileau
Can you imagine yourself on a date? Do you even want to start dating again? What will your family and friends say when you decide to start dating again? Does it matter? Read More
The search for meaning and purpose in existence is a lifelong pursuit. After the loss of a spouse, perspective can change. We question the things we had taken for granted. Join me as I explore my journey to finding new meaning in the present, rediscovering hope and purpose within my loss, and forging a viable path […] Read More
Block 4 (4:15pm - 5:30pm)
Come have fun with Anita & Mel, hosts of the Widow We Do Now? Podcast as they host the Camp Widow Game Show. This will be a chance to unwind and laugh at the ridiculous situation we are in as widowed people and maybe even win a prize. Audience participation will make you a part […] Read More
Restorative yoga encourages us to relax and focus on the present moment, creating a more tranquil state of mind. A regular practice has been proven to create an overall sense of well-being, calm and a more positive sense of self. The physical and mental symptoms of grief can wreak havoc on our mind and body. […] Read More
Sex and dating can be a daunting issue for the widowed. Am I ready? Can I do this? In this workshop we will explore the realities of dating as a widowed person, the avenues available to meet people, the do’s and don’ts of profile making, how to stay safe and most importantly how to keep […] Read More
In her workshop ‘Grieving and Growing After An Overdose Death’ Sarah shares her story of love and loss in the shadow of the Opioid Crisis. Her story helps us to understand more deeply the pain, the grief, and the complicated emotions that accompany a loss due to overdose. Through personal storytelling infused with warmth, vulnerability, […] Read More
Banquet (7:00pm - 10:00pm)
Sunday
Closing Session Breakouts (8:30am - 9:30am)
Please join your Newly Widowed community for a discussion of the weekends’ offerings from the point of view of those who are widowed less than one year. We will also be providing information on how you can stay connected with your widowed community through Soaring Spirits’ programs. Read More
Please join your Recently Widowed community for a discussion of the weekends’ offerings from the point of view of those who are widowed from one to three years. We will also be providing information on how you can stay connected with your widowed community through Soaring Spirits’ programs. Read More
Please join your Middle Widowed Community for a discussion of the weekend’s offerings and to reconnect around the joys and challenges of being widowed three to five years. We will also be providing information on how you can stay connected with your widowed community through Soaring Spirits’ programs. Read More
Please join your Seasoned Widowed Community for a discussion of the weekend’s offerings and to reconnect around the joys and challenges of being widowed five years or more. We will also be providing information on how you can stay connected with your widowed community through Soaring Spirits’ programs. Read More