Camp Widow Toronto
Friday
Camp Widow Opening Session (8:30am - 9:30am)
Join Stacey Brown, Chair of Soaring Spirits Canada’s Board of Directors, for opening remarks. Read More
Opening Session Breakouts (9:45am - 11:00am)
Our Newly Widowed workshop track has been designed for widowed people whose widowhood began within the past twelve months. The content for this introduction to the Newly Widowed track is based on research done through the Soaring Spirits Resilience Center and will focus on a combination of providing campers with tools and resources designed to help […] Read More
Our Recently Widowed workshop track has been designed for widowed people who were widowed anywhere from one to three years ago. The content for this introduction to the Recently Widowed track is based on research done through the Soaring Spirits Resilience Center and will focus on a combination of providing campers with tools and resources designed […] Read More
This track is designed to meet the needs of people widowed between three and five years. These middle widowhood years are a time of searching, rebuilding, getting to know this new self within the widowed experience. The content for this introduction to the Middle Widowed track is based on research done through the Soaring Spirits […] Read More
There are many common misconceptions about the length of time widowed people will need the support of their community. As widowed people continue the work of building new lives, their need for access to, and connection with, their widowed community evolves and the topics they need to discuss change. The content developed for this introduction […] Read More
A session for Regional Group Leaders to meet and exchange ideas. Read More
Friday Block 1 (11:15am - 12:30pm)
This participant-driven session explores quotes and phrases that can lead to positive change in our conscious and subconscious mind. Reviewing quotes that inspire hope interrupts the negative thinking/feeling brain pathways that are associated with symptoms of grief and trauma. Read More
This workshop will go over the latest research and theories in grief. It will discuss the stigma and taboos that are outdated and equip participants with the knowledge and language to better articulate and advocate for themselves. For example we will discuss the difference between grief, mourning and bereavement. We will also discuss why the […] Read More
Expressive arts provide profound ways to process grief. Art can express what is hard to express with words alone. Expressive arts also offer mediums through which to find meaning, maintain continuing bonds, and facilitate post-traumatic growth. This presentation will share examples of expressive arts for widow and widowers navigating grief. It will include a guided […] Read More
From Nope to Hope will give people struggling to accept their widowed life the opportunity to see that it is possible to pull yourself out of a pit of misery and learn to like – and maybe even love your widowed life. Read More
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
Lunch (12:30pm - 1:45pm)
Friday Block 2 (1:45pm - 3:00pm)
This workshop will offer support for members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, and Queer community and will consist of small group discussions among those with similar situations. Through a series of rotations, you will find others who share parts of your unique experience including type of loss, time in grief, and type of relationship. […] Read More
We typically think of a traumatic death as sudden, violent or unexpected but any death can be traumatic. Trauma is subjective and individual to each person – what is traumatic to one may not be to another. This is an educational workshop designed to guide one through the complexities of trauma. Knowledge is power and […] Read More
Accepting that our emotions are a valid response to the challenging situations life hands us and then evolving through how we make meaning of them, is how we find grace. Grace demands that we let life in—all of it, so that we can experience the entirety of what it means to be alive and move forward […] Read More
You’ve experienced a loss that has you feeling like you’re standing in the rubble of a shattered life and broken dreams. You’re feeling dazed, confused and stuck. You’re wondering what to do now and how to move forward. While the future feels so uncertain, you can pick up the pieces and create a meaningful life […] Read More
Friday Block 3 (3:15pm - 4:30pm)
In this workshop we will discuss the difficulties that we face after losing our partner of many years. We will talk about the many challenges of starting over alone and after losing the person who knew everything about you. That person who you raised a family with, that person who helped you find your career. […] Read More
Everyone struggles with the question, “What do I do with all the stuff?” This class will teach you WHY it’s so hard to downsize and declutter after the loss of your loved one AND give you an empowered mindset and concrete strategies to help you get your organizing project done! Read More
Society often discusses how children cope immediately after a funeral and whether or not they should attend. However, we rarely talk about how to nurture a continuing relationship with their deceased parent. This is a conversation we need to have. Cultivating Memories of Their Parent – No Matter What Age workshop breaks myths, captures the […] Read More
“Meet Captain Grief.” To cope with the loss of my wife I created an unapologetic jerk of a superhero alter ego who I could pick a fight with any time and who would always be the bad guy. I blogged with her in “The High-Flying Adventures of Captain Grief” that became my memoir Now is […] Read More
The death of a partner from suicide brings unique challenges, complex emotions and circumstances, and difficult responses from society. This workshop offers a private and supportive space for widowed people navigating this distinct experience. Together, we will explore the way suicide impacts grief and create opportunities to connect with others who understand this specific loss. This […] Read More
We Have a Widowed Person for That (4:45pm - 6:00pm)
We Have a Widowed Person for That is a place to find others whose lives have been altered in some of the same ways as yours. 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 […] Read More
Evening Reception (6:15pm - 8:30pm)
Join your fellow widowed community for an evening event that provides the opportunity to further the connections you made throughout the day. Appetizers and snacks provided. Read More
Saturday
Keynote Address (8:30am - 10:00am)
Join Kelley Lynn, a stand-up comedian, actor, author, speaker, life coach, and certified grief counsellor, for our keynote address. We will celebrate and acknowledge the many things, big and small, that widowed people find themselves having to do in the aftermath of their life-changing loss. Read More
Saturday Block 1 (10:15am - 11:30am)
Finances can be hard to talk about and to do alone. No one wants to admit that they don’t understand their financial situation. There are a lot of stories out there of people getting taken advantage of and I believe knowledge is power. This is a beginner financial literacy course. Here I will go over […] Read More
“I can’t remember if I cried when I read about his widowed bride,” join Lori Tucker-Sullivan who will discuss her grief journey and return to her passions of writing and rock music. Participants will discuss their feelings about dreams they may have deferred and how returning to those passions/dreams can provide a path forward through grief. We’ll […] 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 us creatively move together with great music in a […] Read More
Dating as a widowed person is hard. How do you start? Are you even ready to start? What do you need to know? How do you navigate this new world while still loving your person? How do you date with kids around? This workshop explores sex, dating and intimacy in widowhood – from understanding sexual […] Read More
Being widowed is an isolating experience and can be further exacerbated by living in an empty home, all alone. We will be discussing the unique challenges faced by widowed members of our community who do not have children. This workshop is for you whether you were unable to have children with your person, or together […] Read More
Saturday Block 2 (11:45am - 1:00pm)
Let’s merge insights on children’s grief with the experiences of young adults whose parent died during early childhood. Theories provide a foundation, but personal stories bring this knowledge to life in a meaningful way. Guided by Marny, Taylor and Zevez will share their experiences by connecting them to grief theories and will also welcome your questions. Read More
So, who had to come out to family and friends? And who, when their partner passed away, had homophobia to deal with? Sucks doesn’t it, having a partner and a relationship that makes other people uncomfortable? Then experiencing it again when your partner is gone as those people continue not to validate your grief. As […] Read More
Finding hope and comfort when your belief system does not include an afterlife, a greater plan, or signs from deceased loved ones looking over us. 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
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 recognize […] Read More
Lunch (1:00pm - 2:15pm)
Block 3 (2:15pm - 3:30pm)
As seniors, we face the problems that come with aging. Grief can and does exacerbate those issues. How do we separate the issues of aging from the new problems created by grief? How do we overcome them and move on to a brighter future. Read More
Feeling stuck in the fog of widowhood? Imagine having your own personal assistant to help with meal planning, organizing your day, or even answering tough questions. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to use AI tools like ChatGPT to simplify daily life, boost productivity, and reduce decision fatigue. Whether you’re tech-savvy or a beginner, […] Read More
This workshop will explore some of the challenges associated with complicated grief, including loneliness and isolation. We will talk about the role of emotions (e.g. anger, relief, shame, guilt) and how to experience these emotions with less judgment and self-criticism. Self compassion will be explored as a mechanism for helping us to free ourselves of […] Read More
Join us to learn a few basic line dances and no experience is required! Grab your comfortable shoes or socks. Lighten your spirits with music, singing, movement, and laughter. Dancing is a wonderful self care outlet to forget reality for a couple of hours. Read More
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? What happens if you start dating and it doesn’t work out? What are your best hopes and worst fears about falling in love […] Read More
Saturday Block 4 (3:45pm - 5:00pm)
With grief, the only way out is through, and for me, the only way through is with humor. Stand-up comedian, author, and viral TED talk speaker Kelley Lynn will take you on a ridiculous ride through grief using her best coping tool – laughter. Lynn’s workshop features a unique experience that is tailor-made for this […] Read More
A pilgrimage can be defined as: A journey undertaken by a pilgrim, often to a sacred or revered destination. The course of life on earth (Merriam-Webster). A journey to a holy place that leads to personal transformation, after which the pilgrim returns to their daily life changed (Wikipedia). On the third anniversary of my husband’s […] Read More
Through examples of her artwork, Ingrid will share her journey of hope and healing. We are shaped by the life we shared with our person, and that can be a strong foundation on which to build our future. The workshop will include hands-on exploration with creative materials or writing (no experience needed!). We’ll explore how we […] Read More
Banquet (7:00pm - 11:00pm)
Like Alice, widowhood can make us feel lost in a strange new world. Our instinct may be to retreat into ourselves, keep our circle small, and stay in our comfort zone. We choose a partner because they compliment our strengths and weaknesses – making us the best version of ourselves. While your person is gone, […] Read More
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