It was no ordinary summer camp at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church on Friday. The crafts local children made there were meant to recognize a loved one lost.

The seventh annual one-day Camp Phoenix event was designed to provide free support in a fun environment for children who’ve lost a parent, grandparent, sibling, other relative or friend. The program is organized by the Community Mercy Hospice, said Diana Zerkle, camp coordinator.

“It’s validation for the kids that we realize they are going through the same struggle with grief as we do as adults,” Zerkle said.

Sixty-four kids registered for the camp, which included crafts, snacks, a bounce house and other games. Children ages 5-17 are encouraged to talk to others in their group about their loss and create mementos to take home, Zerkle said, such as sun catchers and memory books.

Mercedes Palmer, 15, of Springfield, lost her uncle four months ago. She’s been attending the camp for four years and said it’s helped her deal with family deaths.

“It’s really fun and they’ve all been through it, too, so it’s nothing new to them,” Palmer said.

Next year she plans to attend as a volunteer counselor.

Seeing the kids connect with others and remember their loved ones makes the event worth it, Zerkle said.

“It’s sad for one thing that they need this kind of grief support but good that we can provide it,” she said.

A free group for grieving children meets at the church every third Monday. For more information, call (937) 390-9665 or visit communitymercyhospice.org.