Experience Camp: Having fun while exploring grief and loss

I’ve had the privilege of knowing Justin Weidenfeld for nearly fifteen years. I first met him as his baseball coach and trainer when he was in middle and high school, and through that time I also grew close with his family. His father, Don, was someone who showed me incredible kindness during one of the hardest seasons of my life. He treated me like family, and that generosity left an impression not only on me but on so many people in the South Florida community.

Seven years ago, Don passed away suddenly from a heart attack. In that moment, Justin’s life took a new direction. As a young man, he was faced with the weight of grief and the responsibility of being strong for his family as a son and a big brother. Loss has a way of reshaping us, and for Justin, it led him to seek support at Experience Camps. What began as a place of healing soon became a passion. Over the years, he became deeply involved and now serves as the Director of the Georgia Boys program for Experience Camps.

Experience Camps, founded in 2009, is a national no-cost program for children who have lost a parent, sibling, or primary caregiver. Through one-week overnight summer camps and year-round programming, they provide grieving kids with community, tools, and hope. With compassion, connection, and play at the heart of their mission, Experience Camps helps kids reframe grief and move forward with resilience.

This past summer I had the honor of volunteering as a counselor. What started with some uncertainty turned into a week filled with meaningful connection, healing, and memories I’ll carry forever. In this episode, Justin and I reflect on our shared history, the impact of loss, and the life-changing work happening at camp.

It’s a conversation about grief, growth, and the power of showing up for others. I invite you to listen in, and if it inspires you, please visit experiencecamps.org (https://experiencecamps.org/about-us) to learn more about how you can support this incredible organization.