Lemons to Lemonade

05/05/2026

This is what a grief camp looks like 🍋

You wouldn’t know it just by looking, but every kid here has been through something unimaginable, losing a parent or sibling. 💔

This is a place where they get to be around kids that understand- and we are not even griefy. We just understand, because we’ve lost a parent too.

That’s what Lemons to Lemonade is all about. Building resilience, connection, and helping these kids move forward with confidence. 💛🍋

04/29/2026

40 campers and growing! 🍋

I’m so excited to see the word spreading about Lemons to Lemonade.

If you’re thinking about signing up, don’t wait — spots are filling quickly and I would love to have you join us.
If you know a family that would benefit, please share 💛

Thank you to everyone who has supported and spread the word, and to our amazing sponsors — Edwards Lifesciences, Toyota of Orange, and the George Hoag Family Foundation — for making this all possible. We can’t wait to see the resilience and connection these kids build together 💛

04/29/2026

04/29/2026

40 campers and growing! 🍋

I’m so excited to see the word spreading about Lemons to Lemonade.

If you’re thinking about signing up, don’t wait — spots are filling quickly and I would love to have you join us.

If you know a family that would benefit, please share 💛

Thank you to everyone who has supported and spread the word, and to our amazing sponsors — Edwards Lifesciences, Toyota of Orange, and the George Hoag Family Foundation — for making this all possible.

We can’t wait to see the resilience and connection these kids build together 💛

04/20/2026

🍋 This is the heart behind Lemons to Lemonade.

When I was younger, my dad died suddenly, and I was fortunate to have incredible grief support that helped me feel understood and not alone. But when I moved to Orange County, I was surprised to find that there were very few resources for kids who had lost a parent or loved one.

So I decided to create it.

Through camps, meet-ups, and our growing community, my hope is to help kids feel connected, supported, and reminded that they are going to be okay.

Please watch, and if this speaks to you, we invite you to learn more on our website or share this with a family who may need this support. 🍋

04/14/2026

🍋 I was recently invited to speak at the ICAN Childhood Grief & Loss Conference in Los Angeles.

ICAN (Inter-Agency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect) brings together educators, clinicians, and community leaders working to better support children and families.

While my greatest passion is creating grief camps and community through Lemons to Lemonade, I also believe strongly in advocating for greater awareness of childhood grief.

When grief is not supported early, it can affect anxiety, depression, school engagement, and overall well-being — impacting not only the child, but our entire community.

When we support grieving children, we build stronger, healthier communities for everyone.

My hope is to continue helping kids feel understood, supported, and less alone.

If you look closely, you may spot a few familiar faces who also care deeply about this cause, including Justin Chambers and Maria Quiban Whitesell.
📺🎤🤍

Please take a moment to watch the full presentation at the link above and join us in thinking differently about how we support grieving children.

Thank you 🍋
OrangeCountyNonprofit

03/30/2026

🍋 Lemons to Lemonade Grief Camp – 2026 Registration is Open

Lemons to Lemonade is a joyful summer camp for children who have experienced the loss of a parent, sibling, or loved one.
While the reason these kids come together is not easy, what happens at camp is full of connection, creativity, laughter, and friendship. It feels like camp — because it is camp. Just with kids who understand each other.

Campers enjoy:
🎨 meaningful arts & crafts centered around the memory of their loved one
🧸 a Build-A-Bear Workshop experience
🐾 visits from therapy animals
🔍 scavenger hunts and outdoor games
☀️ lots of time to play, laugh, and just be kids
💛 friendship and community with other children who truly understand
🍧 fun extras like face painting, snow cones, and surprises throughout the week

Our goal is simple: no child should feel alone in their grief.

📍 Hidden Hills Elementary School, Laguna Niguel
📅 June 15–18, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
If you know a child who has experienced loss, we hope you will share this opportunity with their family.
When children feel supported, our whole community becomes stronger.
Please share to help us reach families who may need this.

🍋 Together, we can make lemonade.

03/11/2026

This is grief camp… but it’s not “griefy.” 🍋

At Lemons to Lemonade Camp, kids who have lost a parent, sibling, or loved one spend the week doing what camp should feel like — laughing, playing outside, making crafts, meeting therapy animals, and building friendships with other kids who understand them.

The most powerful part is watching them go from feeling alone to realizing they’re not.💛

📅 June 15–18
⏰ 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Hidden Hills Elementary School, Laguna Niguel

If you know a child who has experienced loss, this camp is for them.🍋

Please help us make our community stronger by sharing this video with a family who might benefit from this week. 🍋

03/10/2026

Our deepest gratitude to the George Hoag Family Foundation for believing in the mission of Lemons to Lemonade. 🍋

When I moved to Orange County, I was surprised to learn that grieving children here had very few places to turn for support. Hoag choosing to help change that means more than we can express.💛

When we support the children in our community, we strengthen the health of our entire community. Their healing affects all of us.

It is truly such a joy to work with these kids — watching them go from feeling alone to realizing they are surrounded by friends who understand them and care.

If you would like to help us make lemonade, we would love to hear from you. There are many ways to get involved — volunteering at camp, helping with our meet-ups, or connecting us with foundations that want to make a meaningful impact.
THANK YOU- we are going to work hard to make you proud! 🍋

03/08/2026

Our Lemons to Lemonade community is growing, and we’re excited to host our next meetup at Hidden Hills Elementary. 🍋

🗓 Saturday, March 21
⏰ 2–4 PM

Kids will enjoy canvas painting with a special guest art teacher, fun activities, and a few surprises along the way.
These afternoons are about building friendship, understanding, and resilience among kids who have experienced the loss of a loved one.

We can’t wait to see you.
Let’s make lemonade. 🍋

03/08/2026

Our Lemons to Lemonade community is growing, and we’re excited to host our next meetup at Hidden Hills Elementary. 🍋

🗓 Saturday, March 21
⏰ 2–4 PM

Kids will enjoy canvas painting with a special guest art teacher, fun activities, and a few surprises along the way.

These afternoons are about building friendship, understanding, and resilience among kids who have experienced the loss of a loved one.
We can’t wait to see you.
Let’s make lemonade. 🍋