Magical camp helping grieving kids heal

Madi Keast's life took an unexpected and tragic turn, a situation her 15 years of life hadn't prepared her for, when her older sister Courtney died in a boating accident.  

"It was the three of us and things were going really well and then to have such a loss like Courtney – Madi's older sister, her role model, my first girl - it's something you never recover from as a parent," Madi's mother Jodie told A Current Affair.

Madi's life had turned upside down and she didn't know anyone who had experienced something like she had. Noticing that Madi was alone in her grieving, Jodie encouraged her daughter to attend a three-day program called Camp Magic.

"It's really, really helped me. Being able to talk about it just lifts like so much weight off my shoulders and it's just, I don't know where I'd be without it," Madi said. 

Camp Magic was founded by James Thomas after he lost his own parents. He created the program for grieving children and teenagers who need support and introduced them to others in a similar situation.

"I found growth by supporting others because I knew, I truly believe that from grief and trauma comes gold," James explained.

Camp Magic is open to children and teenagers between seven and 17 years of age. Activities include zipping down a flying fox or completing challenges in teams.

The campers can bond over their losses while also having fun and making lifelong friends.

Brothers Charlie and Henry Fox have attended several camps after losing their dad, Victorian police officer Laurie Fox.

Their mother, Belinda Bozykowski says she is relieved to have found Camp Magic.

"To see them blossom after each camp it's rewarding because I feel like I have done something good for them as well," she said.

The program currently runs across NSW, Victoria and the ACT, with plans to expand into Queensland and across the country next year.