Education and Community
Mending Hearts
Mending Hearts 2026 was a huge success!
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About Mending Hearts
Mending Hearts Camp is a performing arts day camp designed for young people who have experienced the death of one or both parents. Campers are surrounded by peers who share a similar loss, creating a supportive environment where they can explore their creativity through performing arts and community-building activities.
The Orpheum Theatre Group is thrilled to announce the expansion of our Mending Hearts program to serve high school students, launching as part of the program’s 10th Anniversary Year.
Camp Activities
Throughout the camp, participants engage in a variety of performing arts and creative activities that promote self-expression, self-confidence, and collaboration. These activities are designed to help campers process their emotions and build connections with others who understand their experiences. The camp also includes opportunities for reflection, particularly during sharing time with adults who have experienced similar losses, giving campers hope for their future.
Staff and Support
Orpheum-trained teaching artists, along with healing counselors, guide campers through the program. The teaching artists foster creativity and collaboration, while the counselors provide emotional support, helping campers practice coping skills and work through difficult emotions. The counselors also facilitate small group discussions where campers can reflect on their experiences in a brave, supportive space.
Registration Fees
$50 per family. Scholarships are available — no child will be turned away due to financial hardship.
Lunch and Extended Care
Before and after extended care is available for a fee. Free lunch and snacks are provided.
Attendance
Campers must be available to attend all days and hours of camp in order to participate.
Mending Hearts Standing Tall
Engaging young people who have previously aged out of Mending Hearts Camp, Mending Hearts Standing Tall is a school year program for rising 9th-12th grade students who have experienced the death of one or both parents.
Building on the confidence, creativity, and community they have established at camp, this program meets regularly throughout the school year to further engage students processing their grief, with a focus on the power of story sharing and vulnerability as part of the healing journey. In addition to working collaboratively to build a strong sense of ensemble with their peers, each student will develop an original performance piece to be shared in a culminating event. Guided in the artistic process by Orpheum-trained Teaching Artists, students also receive continued support from licensed clinical healing counselors to allow space for reflection and continued development of their coping skills.
Student stories will be presented on the Halloran Centre stage alongside a variety of ensembles in our From Where I Stand program that culminates annually at STORYFEST.
The Orpheum Theatre Group is proud to offer this program at no cost to all participants.
My father passed away unexpectedly when I was seven years old. As I grew, I realized it was my childhood involvement in the performing arts that gave me the tools to express myself, a group of supportive friends, and the self-confidence to achieve the success I have enjoyed in life. With Mending Hearts Camp, I am pleased the Orpheum can give other children who have experienced the devastating loss of a parent the same benefits of the performing arts that I had as a child.”
Brett Batterson — Orpheum Theatre Group, President and CEO
Join the Mending Hearts Sharing Time Network
The Orpheum Theatre Group is currently seeking adults who experienced the death of a parent when they were a child to volunteer their time to share their story with campers who have endured the same loss.
For More Information or Assistance
CARMEN HALL
Education and Engagement Coordinator
901-529-4291
chall@orpheum-memphis.com
Support Mending Hearts Programming
Special Thanks to Our Mending Hearts Camp Sponsors
