What is the Calhoun Senior Experience (SrX)?

Senior Experience is a program that combines English and Social Studies, along with incorporating an internship which allows the seniors the opportunity to experience the real world, and prepare for the next chapter of their lives, including how to better the world that we all live in.

SrX History

For over a decade and a half, Sanford H. Calhoun High School’s SrX Program has held a charitable Fashion Show to fundraise for an organization, specifically chosen by the students. This year, the SrX students have chosen Camp Good Mourning! as its charity, for which it hopes to raise $15,000 through our annual Fashion Show.

Did you know . . .

• 1 in 12 American children experience the death of a parent or sibling by the age of 18? This equates to 2 children in every average-sized classroom!

• An additional 300,000 children experienced the death of a parent or caregiver due to COVID; 10.5 million worldwide!

• 92% of educators believe childhood grief is a serious problem that needs more attention from schools

Introducing Camp Good Mourning! (CGM!)

Camp Good Mourning! is a Huntington-based 501c3 nonprofit organization that provides FREE bereavement camp programs for Long island children coping with the death of a parent or sibling.

Camp Good Mourning! takes place in a traditional camp setting with one extra special component – Grief Support Groups. Each support group focuses on a different theme including, but not limited to, sharing one’s grief story, identifying and exploring feelings, identifying healthy as well as unhealthy coping skills, and learning ways to stay connected to loved ones even though they are no longer physically with them. Just as important, campers are encouraged to stay in touch with new camp friends in between camp programs to create their own “community of support.”

CGM! is UNIQUE in several ways. It is the only Long Island-based children’s grief camp that:

• Includes an overnight stay. The sleepover component is critical in helping campers to build bonds and forge lasting friendships.

• Operates in the Spring and Fall to fill the gaps in services. Other camps only operate in the summer -- but grief is not limited to July and August.

• Offers two camps per calendar year. All other camps offer just one camp experience.

• Encourages campers to attend camp until they age out at 17 because grief changes at each developmental level. Other camps limit the number of times a child can attend.

Camp Good Mourning! takes place at Camp Quinipet on Shelter Island on Long Island, NY. One must take a very peaceful and quiet ferry ride to get there which is metaphorical for leaving all your troubles behind. Camp Quinipet has all-season cabins, basketball courts, gaga pit, low ropes course, volleyball courts, lots of open space for active campers and great views of Shelter Island Bay.

Camp Good Mourning! is a trusted resource and has earned the 2025 SILVER SEAL OF TRANSPARENCY from GuideStar, the world's largest source of information about nonprofit organizations.

Calhoun Senior Experience Fashion Show 2025 Fundraiser . . .

to benefit Camp Good Mourning!