News & Events

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Manitou Experience?

Manitou Experience Camp takes place at Camp Manitou, a residential boys camp in Oakland, Maine. It is about a 3 hour drive from Boston and 1 1/2 hours from Portland, ME.

What is the relationship between Manitou Experience and Camp Manitou?

Manitou Experience Camp takes place on the grounds of Camp Manitou after their 7 week summer program is finished and operates as a separate organization funded by Manitou Camps Foundation, a 501(c)(3).

Who works at Manitou Experience?

Our camp staff is a combination of seasoned camp professionals, licensed social workers, doctors, nurses, certified life guards, high school guidance counselors, teachers, coaches, college athletes, and many others who have a passion for camp and a desire to provide an amazing experience for our campers.

Support groups are run by trained facilitators and overseen by professional bereavement counselors.

Do the staff have experience with bereavement counseling?

All of our counselors participate in a grief training program led by our licensed clinical social workers who specialize in grief work. A number of our volunteers have also experienced the loss of a parent or sibling personally and wish to share their journeys with our campers.

How do we get to camp?

We will provide a bus to and from from Newton, MA. We will send travel details to enrolled campers in early summer.

What activities do you offer st camp?

We've put together a selection of the best activities that a summer camp has to offer. We have land sports, (such as basketball, golf, baseball, archery, and rock climbing), water sports (such as sailing, swimming, and waterskiing), team building activities (such as a ropes course), arts & crafts, ice cream outings, and much, much more. We have integrated the camp program with bereavement activities and projects designed to help the boys express feelings, explore memories, build confidence, and find comfort in the presence of their peers.

How many campers will you have?

For the summer of 2010, we will have 60 boys, grades 5-8. Our goal is to expand the number of campers and age groups as we continue to develop the program.

How much does it cost?

Manitou Experience is entirely free to campers, thanks to the generosity of our donors.

How do we apply?

Most of our referrals come from grief agencies, hospices, healthcare facilities and professionals. If you wish to apply or speak to someone about the program, please .

What is Jeff's Place?

Jeff's place is a program of Manitou Camps Foundation and an extension of Manitou Experience, providing peer-based bereavement support groups for boys and girls, preschool through high school, and their families.

Where is Jeff's Place?

Support groups take place at Temple Shir Tikva, 141 Boston Post Road (Route 20) in Wayland, MA.

Why is it at a temple? Is it religious?

Absolutely not! Temple Shir Tikva generously donates the space for the support groups and is located in an ideal setting, with easy access to most highways.

Who can attend?

Support groups are open to boys and girls, ages 3-18, and their adult caregivers who are coping with a death loss.

Is it therapy or counseling?

NO! Grief is the natural response to loss and one of our goals is to help normalize this process. We endorse a peer-based model of support, and while we always have a licensed clinician in a supervisory role, our trained volunteers facilitate the groups.

How are volunteers trained?

All volunteers participate in a mandatory, extensive training on issues related to children, teens and grief.

How much does it cost?

Jeff's Place is entirely free for support group attendees, thanks to the generosity of our donors./p>

How do we apply?

Most of our referrals come from schools, bereavement agencies, hospices, healthcare facilities and professionals. If you wish to apply or speak to someone about the program, please or call 508-276-3225.