Lynne Hughes, whose parents died when she was a child, founded Comfort Zone Camp as a way to help grieving children.
This article is part of our Women and Leadership special report that coincides with global events in March celebrating the accomplishments of women. This conversation has been edited and condensed.
Lynne Hughes, 59, a Detroit-area native, lost both of her parents by the time she was 12 years old. When she was 9, her mother died from a blood clot, and three years later, her father followed when he had a heart attack. Without any grieving resources for children to turn to for support, Ms. Hughes, who now lives in Richmond, Va., said that she coped with her loss largely alone.
Following a series of jobs after graduating from Michigan State University with a communications degree, including hospice work, she looked to her own story as the impetus to start a bereavement camp for children, Comfort Zone Camp (CZC). Now in its 25th year, CZC is a free three-day camp for children and young adults 7 to 25. It is offered in 12 locations across the United States including in Virginia, New Jersey and California, and is held throughout the year at venues such as YMCA camps. Since its founding, CZC has served more than 24,000 children.
How did the loss of your parents inspire Comfort Zone Camp?
After my parents died, my three siblings and I lived with my stepmother for four years, who made it very clear that she didn’t want to raise us. Then we moved in with an aunt and uncle, and my uncle’s first words to me were, “I will never love you as a father or uncle, nor should you expect me to.”
It was hard and lonely. Right after my mom passed, I attended a two-week summer camp and loved it. It allowed me to get back to being a kid again, even temporarily, and in college, I worked as a camp counselor and continued my love. As I got older, I thought, “Wouldn’t it be amazing to combine my love for camp with helping grieving kids?”
I founded CZC when I was 35. My goal was to create a place where kids could meet others just like them, feel validated in their experiences and gain tools to help them navigate their grief journey — all in a fun and supportive environment. I wanted the camp to be free so that all grieving kids could have access.