Escondido, CA – In rooms filled with bins, blankets, backpacks, and dozens of teddy bears dressed in “Camp Spero” t-shirts, volunteers and staff at The Elizabeth Hospice are preparing for something far greater than just a summer weekend. They are preparing to deliver hope, healing, and connection to children who’ve lost someone they love.
From July 25–27, 2025, The Elizabeth Hospice will host the annual Camp Spero—a bereavement camp for children and teens ages 7 to 17 fully funded through generous donor support. Held in Julian, CA, Camp Spero brings together youth navigating grief and helps them honor their loved ones, form lifelong friendships, and discover they are not alone.
“Camp Spero is where healing begins—where children who are grieving unimaginable loss find comfort in connection,” said Kevin Shepherd Jr, Media Relations and Veterans Specialist. “But behind every campfire story, memory box, or comforting bear is a volunteer or a donor who made it possible.”
Photos from behind the scenes show the heartwarming hustle of preparation: teddy bears stacked high in a hospital bed, quilts folded into labeled bins, and volunteers assembling activity kits, cabin supplies, and camper welcome bags.
Among those captured in action are volunteers V. Cigarroa, Tommie Morrow, and Michelle Sullivan, alongside staff member Vatei Campbell, Grants Officer at The Elizabeth Hospice. Their time and energy are essential to making the weekend run smoothly. Their dedication is a reminder that grief support doesn’t begin at camp—it begins right here in the community.
Camp Spero is just one part of the year-round grief support provided by The Elizabeth Hospice:
- Bereavement Centers in Escondido and Mission Valley
Peer-based support groups for children ages 3–17, with concurrent sessions for parents and caregivers - School-Based Grief Support
Eight-week groups held on school campuses throughout San Diego and Southwest Riverside Counties for students in grades 2–12 - Individual Grief Counseling
One-on-one support for preschool-aged children through adults using a range of therapeutic approaches, including expressive arts and talk therapy. While fees apply for community clients not connected to hospice care, The Elizabeth Hospice ensures that no one is turned away due to financial hardship. - Adult Grief Groups
Specialty groups for those who are grieving a child, parent, spouse/partner, or close loved one.
These programs are made possible thanks to the generosity of individual donors, foundations, and community partners who believe in equitable access to grief support.
“Every bear packed, every quilt folded, every camper welcomed—it all happens because someone chose to give,” said Shepherd. “Thanks to this generosity, we’re able to make grief support accessible to families regardless of their financial situation.”
The Elizabeth Hospice invites community members to help sustain these vital programs, including Camp Spero, by supporting efforts that bring comfort, connection, and hope to children and families who are grieving. Whether through a financial contribution or by volunteering your time, there are many ways to make a meaningful impact. The organization also acknowledges the generosity of its sponsors, whose support makes these services possible. Among them are the Charles and Ruth Billingsley Foundation, Driven to Care, the Samuel H. and Katherine Weaver French Fund, Horizon Oxygen and Medical Equipment, Hunter Industries, Marsh & McLennan Insurance Agency, the Maurice J. Masserini Trust, Rancho Santa Fe Women’s Fund, Rest Haven Children’s Health Fund, the Rob Benzon | Dan Ferbal Foundation, Rotary Club of Escondido, the San Diego Chinese Women’s Association, and VTS Industries.
Volunteer: Hospice Volunteer | Volunteer Opportunities | Southwest Riverside
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About The Elizabeth Hospice
The Elizabeth Hospice is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit healthcare organization providing medical, emotional, and spiritual support to children and adults facing the challenges of advanced serious illness and grief. Since 1978, the organization has served the San Diego and Southwest Riverside County regions with compassionate hospice care and comprehensive grief support—regardless of a person’s ability to pay.
Accredited by The Joint Commission, The Elizabeth Hospice is a proud member of the California Hospice and Palliative Care Association, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation, and the Coalition to Transform Advanced Care.
Federal Tax ID: 95-3275679