Camp Koala

Founded by Mifflinburg native Lisa Streett-Liebetrau, Camp Koala provides support to grieving children ages 6-18 who have experienced a death, at no cost to grieving families. Our grassroots organization has grown thanks to our amazing volunteers and generous donors, to finally have a space of our own, right in the heart of downtown Mifflinburg. In 1989, Lisa's sisters, Michelle and Heather Streett, were killed in a car crash on Mother's Day, 1989. Since then, she wanted to find a way to give back to the community who helped her family during their grief journey, so in 2008 she did!

In addition to monthly mini-camps at our new downtown Mifflinburg Center for Grieving Children, we partner with local schools, community centers and hospice/hospitals to offer support groups for kids. We have day camps and other activities throughout the year to continue to offer support.

Our NEW program initiative for the next year is the development of a formal CRISIS TEAM. Until now, we have been limping along, gathering our best volunteers (to take off work without pay) and dog therapy teams at a moment's notice when needed. We realize that is not a sustainable program without the proper funding, support, training, supplies and preparation. It leads to volunteer burnout and last minute scrambling to administer this program, which became an apparent need as we experienced three deaths in our nearby schools within a short time. Of course we said yes, but now know that we need to implement this is a fully supported program with a defined curriculum and staff, as it is a much needed resource that does not exist in the communities we serve.

We'd love if you'd be able to help us grow this new program, thank you! 

Our newest program in 2025 is our ongoing monthly mini camps at our office. This program has been a great success, and it keeps kids coming back, developing a community of grievers who support one another. This ongoing program is in need of funding to continue as well. Please consider donating in support of this as well.

Our school support groups and community groups are always full, and an integral part of our program. Often, children come back time and time again (or even years later if they feel they are struggling), so this program is always evolving and changing to create new curriculums each year. This program is very successful, and takes a lot of time to implement, staff and organize, so is a big part of our fundraising support. 

Another hugely successful outreach program is distribution of over 300 Comfort Bags each year. We partner with local School Counselors, School Psychologists and Funeral Homes to get these into the hands of newly bereaved children. We encourage local businesses to contribute to these backpacks filled with items tailored towards loss, to let our grieving children know that we recognize this profound event in their life and that we want to support them in their healthy grief journey.

All of our programs are at NO COST to the grieving families we serve, which removes all barriers for them to receive support after a devastating life event. This is all thanks to our village of caring volunteers, foundations and donors from the Union/Snyder/Lycoming/Montour/Columbia/Northumberland and Clinton areas and nearby. 

Some statistics we use to craft our program support: 

1 in 11 children in PA will experience the death of a parent or sibling by age 18

9.1% of PA children will be bereaved by age 18, or 246,000 children, higher than the national average of 8.6%. 

By age 25, that number more than doubles to 595,000

Thank you for your support in helping the lives of children facing an unimaginable event in their lives. We are grateful for people like you who continue to care, thank you.