The Burnett Center for Hope & Healing in Prince Frederick is opening its doors to the Calvert County community this fall with an especially full schedule of programs aimed at healing, connection and hope, from therapeutic art and nature-based workshops to wellness events and grief support groups.
The season kicks off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10, with “Creating Hope: Therapeutic Art Exercises in Grief Work,” open to teens and adults. The session uses art therapy techniques to help participants remember loved ones, process grief and build coping strategies, including a garden journaling exercise using pressed flowers to create a window box card while reflecting on what’s “growing, fading, blooming and in need of pruning or nurturing” in their own lives. Cost is $10 per person.
From 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15, Hospice of the Chesapeake and CalvertHealth are partnering to host a Caregiver and Cancer Survivorship Yoga Event at the Burnett Center. The evening includes a guided yoga session for all skill levels and a holistic mind-body wellness discussion led by oncologist Dr. Arati Patel, with light refreshments and time to connect. Participants are encouraged to bring a support person and a yoga mat; the cost is $10, with registration available online.
“Handling the Holidays: A Workshop for Those Living with Loss” runs from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 24, addressing how grief changes the way people experience the holidays and offering strategies for managing stress, schedules and traditions, with separate sessions for adults and children ages 6 and older. Cost is $10 per person or $20 per household, with registration required by Oct. 19.
Local artist Holly Dilatush will lead two free holiday-themed workshops later in the season: a Pressed Flower Luminary Workshop from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Nov. 19, where participants create a lit luminary using pressed flowers and battery-operated twinkle lights, and a Holiday Centerpiece Workshop from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Dec. 9, where guests design a centerpiece or door swag from fresh greens, cones, berries, ribbon and flowers. All supplies are provided for both workshops.
All of the above programs take place at the Burnett Center for Hope & Healing, 4559 Sixes Road, Prince Frederick. Unless otherwise noted, register or get details by calling 1-888-501-7077 or emailing griefinfo@chesapeakelifecenter.org.
Weekly walks and monthly support groups
New this fall, Chesapeake Life Center grief counselor Daphne Hurley is leading “Walking Through Grief,” a weekly series from 9:30 to 11 a.m. every Thursday in October. Each week the group visits a different trail in Calvert County, moving at a comfortable pace on easy terrain while reflecting on a different aspect of grief. Participants should bring comfortable shoes, water and weather-appropriate clothing; trail information is provided at registration.
Chesapeake Life Center also continues its free monthly Drop-In Grief Support Groups, facilitated by Ruth Dixon, open to anyone grieving with no registration or fee required:
- North Beach Senior Center, 9010 Chesapeake Ave., North Beach — 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 7, Nov. 4 and Dec. 2
- Southern Pines Senior Center, 20 Appeal Lane, Lusby — 2 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, Oct. 13, Nov. 10 and Dec. 8
- Calvert Pines Senior Center, 450 W. Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick — 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Oct. 20, Nov. 17 and Dec. 15
A full listing of additional Chesapeake Life Center and Hospice of the Chesapeake events is available on the organization’s events page.
