August 14, 2025
When Ashley Hernandez experienced grief in 2021, she found comfort and healing learning about the grieving process and helping others, especially children. She found a sense of community at STAR Children’s Bereavement Services in Marquette and took on a leadership role soon after.
Camp STAR volunteers and campers during an outdoor activity
Hernandez, an administrative assistant at the Michigan State Police (MSP) Negaunee Post, even found a way to involve her coworkers who now provide support and mentorship during CAMP STAR, a free, weekend-long grief camp for kids who have lost a parent, sibling, friend, or loved one.
Camp STAR volunteers; a total of 42 assisted at the camp
“We offer a truly unique blend of traditional outdoor fun and meaningful grief education,” said Hernandez. “Everyone needs help processing loss in healthy and constructive ways and that’s what we aim to teach. We want our children to feel accepted, not alone, and to have fun without feeling guilty.”
Camp STAR camper crafting a memory quilt made with their loved one's clothing
Camp STAR 2025 was held last weekend at Bay Cliff Health Camp in Big Bay. Seventeen attendees aged 8-17 stayed on-site participating in activities facilitated by caring, trained professionals, and volunteers. Each camper was assigned a buddy, a mentor who provided one-on-one companionship throughout the weekend. Through the activities and buddy relationship, the children learned skills to share and remember the person that was lost.
More than 50 family members and friends came to the closing memorial service which Hernandez described as “magical.”
“Managing and volunteering at Camp STAR was a huge step in my own healing process,” said Hernandez. “I have loved every minute of it and foresee many years of grief service in my future.”
