Camp Erin Santa Cruz
Where Children Learn to Grieve and Heal
Camp Erin® Santa Cruz is a free bereavement camp for youth grieving the death of a significant person in their lives.
Children and teens ages 7 to 17 attend a weekend camp experience that combines grief education and emotional support with fun, traditional camp activities. Led by bereavement professionals and caring volunteers, campers are provided a safe environment to explore their grief, learn essential coping skills, and make friends with peers who are also grieving.
Camp Erin was created and is supported in part by Eluna. For more information, please visit elunanetwork.org.
May 30-June 1, 2025
Campers:
Our first round of camper interest will close November 29th. We will reopen in February 2025 if there is still space available.
Every year, Camp Erin cultivates a relaxed, safe, and supportive setting — one that allows kids to express their emotions, share their grief, and strengthen peer-to-peer connections. Campers will gather together at a beautiful, local site to experience activities like hiking, art, music, and visits from therapy animals. Campers will learn that they are not alone; they are in the company of peers who understand.
Looking for important grief resources to help a child, teen, friend or family member in Santa Cruz County, Salinas, your specific community, or nationwide? We are proud to share the Eluna Resource Center. Its straightforward design makes it easy to search for articles, videos, activities, and referrals to local programs. In addition, Eluna offers free personalized recommendations with a 24-hour turn-around.
We’re proud to partner with the Eluna Network to offer Camp Erin to our community. Eluna partners with bereavement programs in local communities to help fund, develop and grow Camp Erin® nationwide. For more information, please visit elunanetwork.org.
Volunteers:
All volunteers must attend an interview, required trainings, and complete a background check/fingerprinting.
- Cabin Buddies – Learn More
- Day Support – Learn More
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Welcome/Registration & End of Camp Tear Down – Learn More
We are no longer accepting applications for 2024 and will be accepting applications later this year for 2025 camp, come back, or fill out the form below for updated information.
Your Questions, Answered
For more information, please call Gina Billeci at 831.430.3000 or email camperin@hospicesantacruz.org
Eluna is a public, 501(c)(3) non-profit with a mission to support children and families impacted by grief or addiction. Founded in 2000 in Seattle by former MLB pitcher Jamie Moyer and child advocate Karen Phelps Moyer, Eluna was originally called The Moyer Foundation and launched a series of programs supporting thousands of children and families annually at no cost to them. Camp Erin® is the largest national network of grief programs for bereaved children and teens, Camp Mariposa® is a national addiction prevention and mentoring program for youth impacted by a family member’s substance use disorder, and the Eluna Resource Center offers online tools, local referrals and personalized phone and email support for families experiencing grief, addiction and other related issues. For more information, please visit elunanetwork.org.