LYNNE HUGHES

Lynne Hughes has seen many, many examples of children who have blossomed and begun to heal following a three-day weekend at Comfort Zone Camp. They may arrive weighed down by a proverbial backpack full of rocks only to leave less burdened, she says. “They’re taller and visibly brighter by the end of the weekend.”

Since 1998, Comfort Zone Camp has helped children and young adults ages 7 to 25 who are grappling with the death of a parent, sibling, primary caregiver or other significant person. The goal is to help them get back to feeling like young people again — something Hughes briefly experienced when she attended summer camp after the death of her parents. Those Comfort Zone has assisted include children of 9/11 victims.

“There weren’t any resources when I was growing up,” she recalls. “It was hard and lonely and something we didn’t talk about.”

Now, Hughes talks about grief a lot. She wrote a book for grieving children and has been profiled in various media outlets and appeared on national TV. Finding her “why” in life has proven to be very rewarding, and Hughes has inspired former campers to become “bright lights of understanding,” be it as staff members, volunteers or through other healing professions.  

But there’s more work to do. Grieving kids must avoid common challenges ranging from dropping out of school to substance abuse to suicide, and campers are encouraged to be surrounded by people who understand their journey. “It’s not a one-and-done type of thing.”

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