Camp Widow Toronto
Friday
Camp Widow Opening Session (8:30 AM - 10:00 AM)
Join Jodi Skeates, the founding Director of Soaring Spirits Canada and the Chair of its Board of Directors for opening remarks. Read More
Block 1 (10:15am - 11:45am)
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 […] 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 […] 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
Lunch (11:45am - 1:00pm)
Block 2 (1:00pm - 2:30pm)
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 losing the person who knew everything about you. That person you raised a family with. That person who helped you find your careers. That person […] Read More
You’ve got questions. They’ve got answers. Join John Polo and Kelley Lynn for an informative and thought provoking Q&A session. From grief to dating, solo parenting, how to deal with people in your life who “don’t get it” and how many Oreos is too many Oreos to eat on a rough day – you can […] Read More
Grieving the loss of a primary relationship causes us to struggle in almost all aspects of our lives. Finding new coping strategies and full-body self-care techniques is one way to manage our profound emotional reactions. Come prepared to stand up and learn some basic movements of Qigong and Tai Chi Ch’uan as an approach to […] Read More
Parenting is hard enough when there were two of you but to find yourself a grieving solo parent of grieving children feels just about impossible! How do we raise, support and care for our child(ren) after the death of their parent? Where do we find the words to help them navigate their grief? How do we differentiate […] Read More
Using the analogy of a caterpillar entering a chrysalis, I offer the transformative process of grief in helping us redefine ourselves after losing our loved ones. Read More
In this workshop, we explore the complexities of grief experienced by individuals with non-traditional losses. Participants from diverse backgrounds join us to challenge societal norms, discuss diverse forms of love and loss, and navigate support systems. By the end, attendees gain a deeper understanding of disenfranchised grief, validation for their experiences, and a renewed connection […] Read More
Block 3 (2:45pm - 4:00pm)
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
During this session, we will explore the profound journey of rediscovering your identity after the loss of your loved one. We will discuss the identity crisis that often accompanies such a loss, offering practical steps for reconnecting with YOU and embracing a new future that you never imagined for yourself. Through self-reflection, mindful practices, and setting […] Read More
Grief after an imperfect marriage can leave you feeling a whirlwind of emotions—guilt, anger, and relief. These feelings are natural and part of the healing process. In this workshop, we’ll create a safe space to articulate these emotions and explore the power of self-forgiveness. Together, we’ll work towards a balanced view of your past relationship, […] Read More
We have all experienced the immediate rejection of our widowed life. The objective is to have participants explore ways to mitigate the worst parts of their widowhood experience and to have people come away with the hope that they can find genuine happiness living a widowed life. Read More
Need a laugh for your widowed soul – come laugh at the widowed life. This session includes improvisation games, comedy and participation. Remember what it was like to laugh? No? We forgot too but over time we learned to laugh again. Come share a laugh and have some fun using improv techniques used at the Second City with […] Read More
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
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 (8:30am - 10:00am)
Join John Polo: author of four books, podcast host and personal coach for our keynote address. Read More
Block 1 (10:15am - 11:30am)
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
This hands-on workshop, originally created by Sarah Trenor, takes us down memory lane deep into our relationship with our person. Envisioning how to stay connected to our person when rebuilding our life can be hard. This craft-style workshop prompts participants to visually express what restoring their heart means to them. Making arts and crafts about loss […] Read More
This workshop is for people who are neurodiverse and are navigating their widowhood with those additional challenges – and super powers! We will focus primarily on ADHD and Autism, but we welcome anyone who identifies as neurodiverse. We will learn about how the characteristics of neurodiversity intersect with the impacts of grief, and how you […] Read More
We typically think of a traumatic death as sudden, violent or unexpected but any death can be a traumatic. Trauma is subjective and individual to each person – what is traumatic to one may not be to another. This is an educational workshop is designed to guide on the complexities of trauma. Knowledge is power […] 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
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
Block 2 (11:45am - 1:00pm)
What is happiness and when can I get back to it. Resilience, resourcefulness and happiness play roles in our personal rising. This interactive workshop looks at these three elements and how we can use them to facilitate our rise. We will learn techniques to use on our journey to happiness. Read More
When your loved one died, your plans to travel may have become a distant memory. You know you want to travel, but through your grief you may be feeling overwhelmed, unsure what to do next and you simply don’t want to do it alone. In this session, we will explore grief as a multidimensional journey, drawing parallels […] Read More
This will be an interactive workshop where we explore writing poetry as one of the many ways in which we can capture thoughts, feelings, memories, and all the precious moments that are part of grieving, and our future. We will look at examples, and we will bravely create with each other. Read More
This workshop will offer support for members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, and Queer community and consists of small group discussions among those with similar situations. Through a series of rotations, you will find others who you share parts of your unique grief with such as type of loss, time in grief, and type […] Read More
Dance both moves our bodies and frees our souls. In this workshop Allison will be providing basic moves and terminology for several ultra beginner line dances. While we learn to dance we will also be learning the importance of self-care and being introduced to great ways of including movement in our daily lives. Join us […] 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 with your […] Read More
Lunch (1:00pm - 2:30pm)
Block 3 (2:45pm - 4:00pm)
Finances can be hard to talk about and to do alone. No one wants to admit they 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 […] Read More
In this presentation, we will explore the “Art of Grief.” You will see examples of paintings, affirmations, and collages made by Dr Linda and other grievers after their person died. This will be followed by a guided meditation inviting you to explore the colors and shapes of your feelings, and wisdom from your own personal […] Read More
Handling holiday grief is a major challenge for those new to loss. Many find themselves torn between wanting to ignore the season altogether and feeling pressured to join in holiday festivities. How can a grieving heart find peace amidst the celebrations? In this compassionate workshop, we’ll explore 10 reflections inspired by the journeys of others […] Read More
Grieving takes grit. Life needs vitality. Grieving people often struggle to tackle daily tasks and face the world that presents a new and unwelcome reality. With purposeful effort, we can find the strength to get through the rough days and move forward with our lives while grieving. This session will offer strategies to build grit […] Read More
Moderator: Suza Hranilovic 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 […] 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? So many questions and so many answers. This workshop covers everything dating and […] Read More
Block 4 (4:15pm - 5:30pm)
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
The loss of a partner can leave a profound void, but within a community, we can find the strength to move forward. “From Partners to Networks” is a workshop crafted for widowed individuals seeking to build and strengthen their support systems in the face of grief. This session is a heartfelt invitation to discover the […] Read More
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
Have you ever considered becoming a Regional Group Leader? Do you want to bring a little bit of Camp Widow back home with you? Come learn about our Regional Social Group program and get your questions answered! Read More
Banquet (7:00pm - 11:00pm)
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