Camp Courage

Camp Courage and Camp Courage – Teens are overnight camps serving children and teens who are grieving a death. The camps are held in June each year. Camp Courage is a 5-day, 4-night camp for children ages 6-10, while Camp Courage – Teens is a 5-day, 4-night camp for teens ages 11-18. Both camps are a safe, comfortable, fun experience where grieving kids and teens can connect.

At Camp Courage/Camp Courage – Teens, there are times for free play, for group fun, and for quiet reflection.

What activities may be available at camp?

How do the campers get to the campgrounds?

The campers will meet at Annie’s Hope, check-in, and load their belongings into the buses that we lease. Campers will return to Annie’s Hope after camp to be picked up by family, or they will ride home with a family member who attends the Friday Closing Ceremony.

Who are the counselors who will be with my children?

For every three campers, there is one Cabin Counselor. All counselors must be at least 18 years old or older. There are also four to six Activity Counselors who help in arts and crafts, sporting events, hiking, fishing, archery, etc. The counselors’ most important role is to ensure the campers are safe – physically and emotionally. They are also responsible for making sure each camper has the opportunity to try new things, master familiar skills, and share their grief.

What does it cost to attend Camp Courage or Camp Courage – Teens?

There is no fee to attend Camp Courage or Camp Courage – Teens, yet we need financial support to make the camps happen. The full value of attending Camp Courage or Camp Courage – Teens per camper is $2,200. Every family with an accepted camper will be expected to make a donation to the best of their ability.  Any donation to help with the expenses is greatly appreciated. The donation can be raised from family, friends, co-workers, etc., or it can be from personal family funds. All donations will directly pay for Camp Courage/Camp Courage – Teens expenses. The amount of financial support decides how many campers may attend Camp Courage/Camp Courage – Teens. All donations are gratefully accepted, no matter how small or large – $22, $220, $2,200. Your donation amount is strictly confidential. No child or teen is turned away because their family is unable to make a donation. 

We need your help to obtain donations, but don’t worry – we made it super easy! Join our 2026 SponsorOne online fundraising campaign with just a few clicks.

What is Sponsor One?
SponsorOne is a volunteer-driven online effort where families, donors, volunteers, and fans share a link with family, friends, colleagues, and connections asking for donations to raise enough funds to ‘SponsorOne’ camper. Links make it simple to share via text, email, and social media. Since 2015, SponsorOne has raised over $200,000 to help pay for camp programs. The full financial value of one Camp Courage/Camp Courage – Teens campership in 2026 is $2,200. Yet, our goal is to raise $1,500 per camper to offset the full cost of hosting our camps. We invite each participant and camp family to visit our SponsorOne page, click “I want to fundraise for this,” and create their own page. Pages can be personalized or used as-is. Simply share your page with everyone you know! Participation is encouraged, and Annie’s Hope has prizes for top fundraisers.

How do I help raise money?
Volunteers raise money in a variety of ways. Some simply share the link to their SponsorOne page (see more info below) via social media, email, or text. Others host a mini-event, ask an employer to sponsor a camper, or ask for donations in exchange for treats at the office or wherever they spend time. You decide what fits for you.

The SponsorOne Campaign on DonorBox
Annie’s Hope uses the DonorBox platform to host online campaigns and securely process donations. Use the link to our SponsorOne fundraising page to set up your own campaign. DonorBox walks you through the steps in minutes. donorbox.org/camp-2026-seaside-splash
Click on “I Want to Fundraise for This” at the top of the page, then follow the prompts. If you want an even simpler option, share the link to the main Annie’s Hope SponsorOne page and ask donors to mention your name during checkout. Either way is fine with us!

If you have questions, contact AmyL@AnniesHope.org or call 314-965-5015 for support. THANK YOU for making Camp Courage and Camp Courage Teens possible.

How can my child/teen get involved in Camp Courage or Camp Courage – Teens?

Applications are required for every camper who wishes to participate in Camp Courage or Camp Courage – Teens. Applications must be fully completed when submitted to be considered for the camp experience. Campers will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis with special preference to campers who have not previously attended Camp Courage in-person. An interview with Annie’s Hope is required before acceptance is offered.

Camp applications include two parts. Each child, 6-10 years old, will need both parts of the application to be completed by a parent or guardian. Each teenager, 11-18 old, will complete Part 1 of the application, while a parent or guardian will complete Part 2 for the teen.

Forms may be completed by hand or electronically. To complete electronically, save the document to your device using the “save as” function. From there, complete and re-save the document. Finally, you may email the completed document as an attachment to Annie’s Hope. Alternatively, applications can be printed and mailed/faxed to Annie’s Hope. Our staff will contact you when applications are received to review the next steps.

The application period for 2026 campers is OPEN!

Priority deadline: March 31, 2026
Final deadline: April 30, 2026