Your choice, your journey.

Camp Erin© Santa Cruz is a weekend-long camp for children and teens in Santa Cruz County, the greater Monterey Bay, Silicon Valley, and other areas. Camp Erin helps children and teens ages 6-17 who have experienced the death of someone special to process their feelings of grief and loss in a healthy manner.

To apply for a camper spot or to volunteer, sign up while space is available:

Register a camper: Camper Application in English and Camper Application in Spanish

Become a volunteer:  Camp Erin Volunteer Application

Spots are free of charge and go fast, so we recommend reserving your camper’s spot while space is available.

Want to peek inside Camp Erin?
We’re honored to have been featured in the Santa Cruz Sentinel, with an inspired slideshow:
Look Inside Camp Erin – An Inspiring Weekend – View Slide Show >>

Held at Mount Hermon Ponderosa Camp, the rustic camp among the towering Redwood trees is the ideal setting for a fun, supportive camp experience. It combines traditional, fun camp activities (like archery, swimming, and arts & crafts) with grief education and emotional support. Activities are facilitated by grief support professionals and trained volunteers.

Campers learn that they are not alone in their grief

Camp Erin serves kids through engaging activities and interactions that strengthen peer-to-peer connections. Campers learn that they are not alone; they are in the company of peers who understand. Every year, Camp Erin cultivates a relaxed, safe, and supportive setting — one that allows kids to express their emotions, share their grief, and learn positive coping skills.