The idea of serving the grieving family as a whole was powerfully reflected during our recent Voices of Impact session as we welcomed Camp HOPE as our featured guest. The conversation highlighted how compassionate leadership, intentional partnerships, and long-term support through an organizational endowment can create spaces where healing is possible for children and families navigating grief.
Founded in 1989, Camp HOPE became the first camp for grieving children in Wisconsin and remains one of the few programs of its kind in the nation. During the session, Maria Loy and Marty Loy shared the story behind the camp, its enduring mission, and the ways in which the Camp HOPE endowment fund with the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin provides stability, confidence, and longevity for the future.
Maria spoke to the heart of Camp HOPE’s work, sharing, “Camp HOPE was created from profound loss, but it has always been guided by love. What happens at camp reaches far beyond a single weekend as it reminds families that healing does not happen alone.”
Participants also heard from two past campers, whose reflections brought the mission to life. Their stories illustrated how being surrounded by peers who understand loss helps children feel seen, supported, and less alone often for the first time.
A key component of Camp HOPE’s success is its long-standing partnership with Lion’s Camp, which has hosted Camp HOPE since its beginning. Joining the session in person, Phillip Potter, Public Relations Director for Lion’s Camp, shared insight into how collaboration strengthens impact.
“Camp HOPE has been an amazing partner,” Phillip said. “Lion’s Camp runs the activities during Camp HOPE, which allows their team to focus entirely on the campers and their emotional needs.”
This partnership has supported three Camp HOPE sessions each year since 1989, ensuring a consistent, safe, and engaging environment for children and families. By sharing responsibilities, both organizations are able to lead from their strengths while keeping the campers at the center of everything they do.
Camp HOPE itself began from a deeply personal experience. In February of 1989, founder Becky Loy lost her daughter, Sara. While grieving, Becky learned of a camp for grieving children in another state and felt called to bring that same support to Wisconsin. Within months, Camp HOPE opened its doors. Fifty children attended that first weekend, families placing their trust in a brand-new program built on compassion and care.
Today, Becky has passed the torch to her oldest daughter, Maria, who continues to lead Camp HOPE with intention and heart. The camp’s mission remains rooted in inspiring hope, love, and joy for grieving children and families through free weekend experiences that emphasize connection, play, and shared understanding.
Feeling inspired by Camp HOPE’s story? Give to their organizational endowment fund today at https://cfcwi.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1035 or learn more about their organization at https://www.camphopeforkids.org/.
Join us for Voices of Impact’s monthly with a hybrid format, setting the tone for thoughtful, collaborative conversations focused on leadership, data, and collective action to strengthen our region. Please learn more about our Voices of Impact Series at https://cfcwi.org/voices-of-impact/.