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Camp Widow Toronto

Tracks  [More Info]

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Camp Widow® workshops are planned using a track system. The four tracks are listed at the top of each column and color-coded in order to identify which workshops are suggested for each individual track. The track titles and the suggested workshop schedule for each track were created based on feedback from thousands of men and women who have attended past Camp Widow weekends and the resilience research done at the Soaring Spirits Resilience Center at Schreiner University.

The schedule listed for each color-coded track are suggestions. You are not required to choose only one track, and you are welcome to create your own custom schedule that mixes and matches the offered workshop options throughout the weekend.

Our goal at Camp Widow® is to provide our campers with research-based tools and resources designed specifically for widowed men and women offered within a safe communal space that facilitates connection, growth and healing.

Friday

Camp Widow Opening Session (9:00 AM - 10:00 AM)

Michele Neff Hernandez

Camp Widow® Opening Address

Michele Neff Hernandez

Join Soaring Spirits International Founder & CEO, Michele Neff Hernandez, for opening remarks. Read More

Block 1 (10:15am - 11:45am)

Jenny Sellers
Catherine Stem
Janice Martin

Newly Widowed: Help for the First Year of Widowhood

Jenny Sellers, Catherine Stem & Janice Martin

Moderator: Jenny Sellers

Our Newly Widowed workshop track has been designed for widowed people whose widowhood began within the past twelve months. Read More

Heather Couture
Bobby Moss
Marny Williams

Recently Widowed: Tools and Tips for Healing for Those Widowed One to Three Years

Heather Couture, Bobby Moss & Marny Williams

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

Julie Martella
Rosemary La Marra
Sarah Keast

Middle Widowed: Hope and Healing for Those Widowed Three to Five Years

Julie Martella, Rosemary La Marra & Sarah Keast

Moderator: Julie Martella

This track is designed to meet the needs of people widowed between three and five years. Read More

Markell Morris
Stacey Brown
Vanessa Francis

Seasoned Widowed: Community Building for People Widowed Five Years and More

Markell Morris, Stacey Brown & Vanessa Francis

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)

Julie Martella

Help! My Brain Isn’t Working: Utilizing Organizing and Productivity Hacks to Manage Your Life

Julie Martella

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

Justine Silver

Story Slam: How We Met

Justine Silver

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

Anita Coyle & Mel Shore

Redefining Widowhood

Anita Coyle & Mel Shore

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

Anathele Zamor

One Breath At a Time: Self-Compassion and its Role in the Grief Journey

Anathele Zamor

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

Bobby Moss

Finding Your Family in the LGBTQ+ Community

Bobby Moss

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)

Heather Couture
Vanessa Francis

Support and Community for Suicide Survivors

Heather Couture & Vanessa Francis

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

Bobby Moss
Greg Mais
Harold Buchanan

Widowed and Male: A Panel Conversation for Widowers

Bobby Moss, Greg Mais & Harold Buchanan

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

Catherine Stem
Marny Williams
John Robinette

Widowed with Children: A Panel Discussion

Catherine Stem, Marny Williams & John Robinette

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

Markell Morris

Creating a Career You Love After Loss

Markell Morris

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)

Camp Attendees-WPFT

We Have a Widowed Person For That

Camp Attendees-WPFT

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)

Anathele Zamor

Yoga

Anathele Zamor

Enjoy a morning yoga session with your fellow campers! Read More

Keynote Address (9:00am - 10:00am)

Michele Neff Hernandez

Keynote Address

Michele Neff Hernandez

Join Soaring Spirits International Founder & CEO, Michele Neff Hernandez, for our keynote address. Read More

Block 1 (10:15am - 11:30am)

Marny Williams

Building Resilience in Grieving Kids

Marny Williams

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

Heather Couture

Soulshaker: Hula Hooping with Heather

Heather Couture

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

Cindy Lang

Grief in the Background: A Widowed Life Four Years and Beyond

Cindy Lang

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

Bobby Moss

Disenfranchised Grief

Bobby Moss

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

Julie Martella

Finding YOU in Your Future: Your Story Isn’t Over

Julie Martella

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)

Dr. Wenny Lee

Dealing with Anger

Dr. Wenny Lee

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

Jenny Sellers

Grief, The Energy Body, and The Healing Benefits of Reiki

Jenny Sellers

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

John Robinette

Grief and Ritual in a Secular Age

John Robinette

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

Michele Neff Hernandez

Different After You

Michele Neff Hernandez

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)

Charlotte Paul

Charting your New Financial Plan

Charlotte Paul

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

Kathie Neff

The Widowed Introvert: Tips for Navigating Grief

Kathie Neff

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

Rosemary La Marra

Eeking out Happiness

Rosemary La Marra

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

Harold & Michele Buchanan
Holly Wagg & Sean Boileau
Bobby Moss & Tim Bennett

Love After Loss

Harold & Michele Buchanan, Holly Wagg & Sean Boileau & Bobby Moss & Tim Bennett

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

Peter Wolf

After Loss: My Search for Meaning and Purpose

Peter Wolf

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)

Anita Coyle & Mel Shore

The Widow We Do Now Game Show

Anita Coyle & Mel Shore

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

Margo Sage

The Healing Benefits of Restorative Yoga

Margo Sage

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

Catherine Stem

Sex, Dating, and the Widowed Brain

Catherine Stem

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

Sarah Keast

Grieving and Growing After An Overdose Death

Sarah Keast

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)

Jenny Sellers
Catherine Stem
Janice Martin

Newly Widowed: Help for the First Year of Widowhood

Jenny Sellers, Catherine Stem & Janice Martin

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

Heather Couture
Bobby Moss
Marny Williams

Recently Widowed: Tools and Tips for Healing for Those Widowed One to Three Years

Heather Couture, Bobby Moss & Marny Williams

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

Julie Martella
Rosemary La Marra
Sarah Keast

Middle Widowed: Moving Forward with Hope for Those Widowed Three to Five Years

Julie Martella, Rosemary La Marra & Sarah Keast

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

Markell Morris
Stacey Brown
Vanessa Francis

Seasoned Widowed: Community Building for People Widowed Five Years and More

Markell Morris, Stacey Brown & Vanessa Francis

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

Farewell Brunch (9:30am - 11:30am)

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Contact Info

Soaring Spirits Canada
6 Hamilton Avenue North, Unit 004
Ottawa, ON K1Y 4R1

Email: info@soaringspirits.ca

Phone: 877-671-4071 x716

Soaring Spirits Canada is a registered charity 7983 38463 RR0001.

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