SCRANTON, Pa. — Some paint helps transform a blank canvas into a beautiful landscape of color, like a scene from a movie.
"We're painting the Willy Wonka tree from inside when he had his candy factory," said camper, Avery Nowalk.
But each stroke of the brush is helping transform these campers, as well.
"Willy Wonka, he lost his mother and the tree was a symbol of his mother. So, we're drawing the trees to represent our loss," said Nevaeh Cary, another camper.
The Healing Hearts Camp in Scranton is for kids who are experiencing a recent loss. It's in its 7th year, hosted by the Hospice of Sacred Heart.
"We do really get to know our families and care for our families. We want them to know our support for them continues even when their loved ones had passed," said director of counseling services, Jennifer Seechock.
All of these 20 campers experienced the loss of a parent, grandparent, or sibling.
The camp helps give kids healing techniques, and expression, through art.
"When they come here, this is what they have in common, so it provides a nice, natural supportive environment to really help talk about their loss," added Seechock.
This is Lucas Powell's fifth time at the camp. But this year he's a counselor instead of a camper.
"I wanted to give back what I got from other people helping me on this journey," said the teen.
For others, it's their first time taking part in these activities, like Tuesday's painting.
"I love painting," said Cary.
"It's fun, it calms people down, it's relaxing and it's something I like to do," added Nowalk.
Helping transform their grief into something beautiful, just like the canvas in front of them.