Shelley Hermer
Manager of Regional Programs: Canada East
As a social worker and family therapist in children’s mental health, I have had a long-standing interest in bereavement care for families. In 2011, I reunited with Dr. Heather Mohan, a colleague with whom I had worked and lived during our university summers, providing therapeutic recreation programs with children and families coping with mental health.
In 2011, 2012 and 2014 I traveled to BC to volunteer at Camp Kerry and then began working with my local community in Ontario to bring this family-centred model East. The response has been wonderful and we are so looking forward to our sixth Camp Kerry Ontario in the beautiful Haliburton Highlands.
The first Camp Kerry was held in British Columbia in 2007 and it was named after Kerry Kirstiuk; an inspiring young mother and wife from West Vancouver who lost her battle to cancer in 2006.
Our first Camp Kerry Ontario retreat took place in the fall of 2014 but of course the dreaming and planning started many years before that! Our organization’s founder Dr. Heather Mohan was born and raised in rural Ontario. Growing up in a family that valued camping and outdoor experiences, and inspired by her father Mel who had a great love for the outdoors Heather had the opportunity to fully embrace Ontario’s “camp culture” as a camper, a counsellor and a program leader. Having the opportunity to share the Camp Kerry BC model with families from Ontario in the same beautiful Northern Ontario landscape where she had spent so many memorable summers herself was a great gift.
Melville Mohan was always passionate about the outdoors. Even during his teaching career he found creative ways to bring the outdoors into the classroom!
As most of you are aware, we are in the midst of unprecedented times and uncertainty. In response to Covid-19, many of our existing services (family bereavement retreats, community choirs, support groups, workshops) are being offered online at no cost, so we encourage everyone who feels the need for support and wellness to take advantage of them.
In place of our family bereavement retreat, Camp Kerry Ontario, we encourage you to register for our Virtual Grief Convention, Kaleidoscope 2020. Here you will find several opportunities for connection, inspired learning, and hope.
When to Apply
In response to Covid-19 many of our existing programs will be offered online throughout the year at no cost (support groups, workshops, and more). If you are interested in participating we encourage you to either check in regularly through the portal for available programs in your area or email our head office for more information.
We understand that there a lot of families who are facing financial challenges as a result of Covid-19, therefore, the Camp Kerry Society will be waiving all program contribution fees for this year.
We wish to thank all of those who have given and continue to donate, for it is your contributions that make this option possible.
Register for Camp Kerry Ontario Programs
To register for programs that we offer throughout the year for residents of Ontario please click on the button below to proceed.
If you wish to attend Kaleidoscope 2020 then please click HERE.
