Angel Wings Retreat Gives Grieving SouthCoast Kids a Weekend of Healing

This week, our Southcoast Health Community Spotlight shined on the incredibly important Angel Wings Retreat, a bereavement retreat for kids ages 6 to 15. Angel Wings will have its 21st annual event this summer. The retreat will take place July 11th and 12th at Camp Welsh in Assonet. It is totally free thanks to the generous support of donors through Southcoast Health.

Judy Nadeau, manager of volunteer services at Southcoast Health at Home and co-director of Angel Wings Retreat, joined Southcoast Health Community Spotlight to share what makes this program so special.

What is Angel Wings Retreat?

Angel Wings Retreat provides grief support for children in a safe, nurturing environment where kids can connect with others who truly understand what they are going through because they've lived through the trauma, as well. Children are grouped by age, with separate groups for ages 6 to 8, 9 to 11, and 12 to 15, so conversations and activities can be tailored to where each child is developmentally.

Nadeau noted that many kids arrive quietly, feeling alone, as though they are the only ones who have experienced loss. But by the end of the weekend, something shifts. The connections they make with other kids their age, combined with the structured activities, help lift that weight in a meaningful way.

What Can Kids Expect at This Year's Retreat?

This year's theme is stories, and every activity throughout the weekend is designed to encourage children to share memories of their loved ones in creative and joyful ways. From memory board crafts to barn animals and farm babies, the weekend carefully balances grief recovery with fun. This year also features a DJ dance party, an ice cream party, and a brand new cornhole tournament for the teens.

How Can Families and Volunteers Get Involved?

The retreat is completely run by volunteers, and there is still a need for more. Families drop their children off in the morning and pick uop in in the late afternoon. To register a child or sign up to volunteer, visit southcoast.org/angelwingsretreat.