Why It Works
A few of us drove to Palm Springs this week to view Camp Widow: The Documentary at the AmDoc Filmfest. In spite of the fact that two of us have been to camp several times, we both cried during the film. Our companion, who has never been to camp, went home after the screening to find out how to sign up for the Camp Widow coming up in Chicago
Out of the nine films screened, Camp Widow’s applause went on the longest. It was also the film that received the most questions and comments; even remarks and queries from the folks representing the other films.
Death is universal and through this film its arrows went straight to the hearts of viewers.
The video succinctly showed why Camp Widow matters.
How did a 15-minute film, featuring three full days of an event, do it so well? Based on the questions and the remarks, three things stood out strongly for the viewers.
1 – “I felt like I lost my other half.” – quote from a widow in the film
The camera zooms in on sign after sign on tables:
Widowed while pregnant.
Widowed Suddenly.
Widowed after a long illness.
Veteran campers reading this are very familiar with this part of camp. It’s called the “WHAWFT” Session (which means, we have a widow for that). Like speed dating, you can visit one or more topics of your choosing. The process invites campers to meet and speak with others who share similar circumstances surrounding their loss.
The widower and widow, in the beginning of the film, share with each other how they lost their partner. Their stories show up in their faces, their postures, and through the catch in their voice when they share what happened.
2 – “I expected sadness, but I was glad to hear them speak about the anger they felt after the loss.” – a theater viewer
In one part, a widow explains how angry she feels at her partner for abandoning her. Another widow agrees and expresses how frustrating it is to be in the position of having to explain that to her non-widowed friends and family. This beautifully explains the premise at the center of Camp Widow; our widowed friends get it. We don’t have to explain.
In the next breath, it was the laughter that viewers mentioned: “How wonderful that there is room for all the feels.”
Camp Widow’s wonderful staff and volunteers hold space for it all. The familiar sadness; the surprise of laughter; and the unexpected hope.
Is it possible that we can make our way through grief?
A hundred percent, yes.
3 – The Power of Images: the secret sauce of the film
“An image is more than an idea. It is a vortex or cluster of fused ideas and is endowed with energy.” Ezra Pound
We were amazed how, in only 15 minutes, they tuned into camp’s authenticity and magic in such a short amount of time. In the final frames, camp ends with an image of beautiful rhinestone widowed-shoes on a dance floor where the entire group is your partner.
An image of hope that somehow, life goes on. Yet, in some mysterious way, we do not leave our lost love behind.
Camp Widow® is a unique and incredible experience that is offered both in person and virtually. During the course of a weekend this program provides both practical tools and relevant resources for widowed persons rebuilding their lives in the aftermath of the death of a spouse or partner.
But the most important thing that Camp Widow® provides to the widowed people who attend is an in-person community of others who are making their way through widowhood one day at a time. — Quote from Widowed Village at Soaring Spirits International
To sign up for one of the Camp Widows near you, click here.
