2022 Workshop schedule
Saturday, 6 August 2022
Camp Widow® Australia opening address
8:30am - 9:30am
Presenters: Rebecca Adams & Michele Neff Hernandez
Opening address
Join First Light Widowed Association President and Founding Director Rebecca Adams, and Soaring Spirits International Founder and CEO, and the creator of the Camp Widow program, Michele Neff Hernandez, as we welcome you to Camp Widow Australia 2022.
Orientation session
10am - 11:30am
Please note that the time frames of widowhood are a guide only. Choose the workshop that aligns most closely to you.
Presenter: Carren Stapleton
Newly widowed: support during the first year of widowhood
The Camp Widow newly widowed workshop is designed for those who have been widowed for less than a year. The content for this workshop is based on research undertaken through the Soaring Spirits Resilience Centre, Texas. It will focus on providing... [read more]
Presenters: Anita Coyle & Mel Shore
Recently widowed: tools and tips for healing for those widowed one to three years
The Camp Widow recently widowed workshop is designed for those who were widowed anywhere from one to three years ago. The content for this workshop is based on research undertaken through the Soaring Spirits Resilience... [read more]
Presenter: Kate Donaghy
Middle widowed: hope and healing for those widowed three to five years
The Camp Widow middle widowed workshop is designed for those widowed three to five years. These middle widowhood years are a time of searching, rebuilding and getting to know yourself within the widowed... [read more]
Presenter: Emma Hopkins-Curry
Seasoned widowed: community building for those widowed five years and more
There are many common misconceptions about the length of time widowed people will need the support of their community. As widowed people continue to rebuild their lives, their need for access to and connection with their ... [read more]
Block one
11:45am - 1pm
Presenter: Megan Daley
Words when we have none
As an author, teacher librarian and mother, Megan Daley often describes her life as ‘books with a side serve of grief’. In this session Megan will share how books on grief and loss can facilitate conversations and deepen understandings around death, dying and bereavement... [read more]
Presenter: Philippa Jordan-Hill
Movement builds momentum
Philippa shares her heart-felt story of multiple losses, multiple challenges, and multiple blessings. You will feel comfortable with her openness, honesty, and warmth. Through listening to Philippa’s story, you will understand that it’s OK to be where you are today... [read more]
Presenter: Natalie Lynch
My story and art therapy workshop
In this workshop, you will learn how to start ‘creative journaling’ to heal your life. Adjusting to loss is a unique process for each and every person. Drawing is a simple tool that we can use to help us to process and regulate... [read more]
Presenter: Joan Wilson-Jones
Behind and beyond the mask
We live in a society that doesn’t always do grief well. People want to try to cheer us up, they long for us to move on because our pain is often too raw and too difficult for people to manage. All too often in a bid to fit in, to not rock the boat, we pretend – we put on the mask... [read more]
Block two
2pm - 3:30pm
Presenters: Anita Coyle & Mel Shore
Redefining widowhood
Many widows and widowers have strong feelings about the word “widow”. Join Anita and Mel, the hosts of the Widow We Do Now? podcast as we have fun exploring different ways to think of this title forced upon us. This is a fun and interactive session exploring... [read more]
Presenter: Maurice Nevile
Haiku for healing... understanding and growth
In this session, Maurice will explore how writing haiku, short poems of just three lines (or fewer), can help you to heal, understand and grow in your life after loss. A haiku is a short simple poem that suggests something significant beyond.... [read more]
Facilitator: Michele Neff Hernandez
Dating after loss: a panel discussion
Can you imagine yourself on a date? Do you even want to start dating again? Where do you even start? How will you feel? What will your family and friends say when you decide to start dating again? Does it matter? What happens if you start.... [read more]
We have a widowed person for that
4pm - 5:30pm
We have a widowed person for that
Every widowed experience is different, and yet the way the person you love died or your circumstances may influence how you grieve. Connecting with other people whose loved one died in the same way as yours can offer a unique and powerful... [read more]
Sunday, 7 August 2022
Keynote address
9am - 10am
Presenter: Julie Cross
Keynote address
Join Julie Cross, for the keynote address. Julie is one of the most inspiring keynote speakers in Australia. She is a masterful story teller and inspiring change maker, combining powerful insights into human behaviour with practical strategies that leaves audiences... [read more]
Block three
10:45am - 12:15pm
Presenter: Jo Betz
Embracing grief
When Jo was suddenly widowed and thrown into the world of grief, she'd never experienced anything like it. Confused, overwhelmed and trying to 'soldier on', she found herself trying to problem solve her way out of her grief, searching for the quick fix...[read more]
Presenter: Melissa Conley
Arbor-Dama - creative plant workshop
Horticultural therapy and engaging with nature has been proven to have a positive impact on emotional wellbeing, helping to reduce stress, sadness, anger and feelings of isolation. Spending time in a creative plant workshop, getting your... [read more]
Presenters: Megan Daley, Murray Arkadieff
Re-partnering, step-parenting, chaos, grief and love
In what will be a lively, laughter filled, tear jerking discussion – Megan and Murray share their individual journeys with grief, the complexity and the joy of re-partnering and the ongoing journey they are now living as a family... [read more]
Presenter: Michele Neff Hernandez
Different after you
When our world is turned upside down by death, grievers are frequently encouraged to “get back to normal.” But how? There is nothing “normal” about the person we love being physically missing from our lives. What if instead of trying to recreate the past or even accept a ... [read more]
Reconnecting with orientation groups
12:30pm - 1:30pm
Please note that the time frames of widowhood are a guide only. Choose the workshop that aligns most closely to you.
Presenter: Carren Stapleton
Newly widowed: support during the first year of widowhood
Join Carren and your newly widowed community to check in and discuss the weekend's program from the view of those widowed less than a year. We will also provide information on how to stay connected to your... [read more]
Presenters: Anita Coyle & Mel Shore
Recently widowed: tools and tips for healing for those widowed one to three years
Join Anita and Mel, and your recently widowed community to check in and discuss the weekend's program from the point of view of those widowed one to three years. We will also provide... [read more]
Presenter: Kate Donaghy
Middle widowed: hope and healing for those widowed three to five years
Join Kate and your middle widowed community to check in and discuss the weekend's program and to reconnect around the joys and challenges of being widowed three to five years... [read more]
Presenter: Emma Hopkins-Curry
Seasoned widowed: community building for those widowed five years and more
Join Emma and your seasoned widowed community to check in and discuss the weekend's program and to reconnect around the joys and challenges of being widowed five years or longer.... [read more]
