Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery

The next CLIMB session begins May 1st.

Click here for an application: Child Membership Form

The need to offer emotional support for children whose parents have cancer is greater than ever before. In the United States, the American Cancer Society estimates that more than 315,000 parents with children under 18 will be diagnosed with invasive cancer each year. For the more than 592,000 impacted children, this permanently changes the family dynamics, evoking in the children many fears, doubts and questions about their future and that of their parents.

How does CLIMB® work?

The CLIMB® program at Wellness House of Annapolis is eight weekly 1½-hour group meetings for elementary-age children whose parent or loved one is living with cancer. Specially trained leaders use conversation, activities, arts and crafts, and journaling to help kids identify, communicate, and appropriately express their complex, often unfamiliar, and sometimes scary feelings. They develop coping skills; learn about cancer, treatments, and possible side effects; and most importantly, understand they’re not alone — other children are dealing with the same emotional upheaval.

Each week, the session focuses on a select topic and emotion. The children are given their own workbook designed to help them capture their progress, which they’re encouraged to share with their families at home. Each 1½ hour session begins with a group dinner provided by Wellness House of Annapolis and sponsored by TD Bank of Arnold for the children and their families. After this social time, the children break into their groups for one hour, while parents mingle, relax in our quiet areas, or participate in our structured evening program.

What is the cost of CLIMB®?

Like all Wellness House of Annapolis programs, CLIMB® is offered free of charge. Registration is limited. Contact us for more information about this free program and to find out the dates of the next session.

Thank you to Papa John’s Pizza and a generous friend of Wellness House for sponsoring the dinners for CLIMB!