About Camp MAGIK
Our Name
The MAGIK in Camp MAGIK is an acronym representing our primary reason for conducting camps- Mainly About Grief In Kids.
Our Mission
To provide a safe and nurturing environment for bereaved children and their families to help them express their grief over the death of a loved one and begin to heal.
Our Goals
For participants to receive support in their bereavement process, to be able to normalize feelings surrounding their loss, and to acquire healthy coping skills.
Our Vision
Camp MAGIK model will be a nationally recognized source of support for children and families grieving the death of a loved one.
Our History
Each year in Georgia, thousands of children lose a parent. There are few resources to help them deal with their situation. This knowledge, and the knowledge that unattended and unresolved grief in children can have serious consequences, led to the beginning of Camp MAGIK. It was started in 1995 by Dr. Rene Erlandson Searles McClatchey. This first session was attended by 17 children. However, word of mouth spread quickly, and the following year, Dr. McClatchey operated two camps with 30 and 40 children respectively. Now there are three camp sessions a year with a limit of 50 children per camp. Since its inception in 1995, Camp MAGIK has held 28 camps and served over 1,500 children and adolescents.