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In late August, ZOOZ Fitness partnered with Camp Erin Los Angeles—a grief camp for children and teens coping with the loss of a family member—to bring strength, movement, and play to kids processing some of life’s heaviest challenges.

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A Legacy of Healing

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Camp Erin was created more than 20 years ago in honor of Erin Metcalf, a teenager from Seattle diagnosed with leukemia. Through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a nonprofit that creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses, Erin met MLB pitcher Jamie Moyer and his wife, Karen. Their bond grew beyond Erin’s wish, and when Erin expressed concern that her family and friends would struggle to cope after her death, the Moyers honored her by establishing a camp where grieving children could find comfort and community. Today, Camp Erin operates in cities across the country, each hosted by a local nonprofit.

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In Los Angeles, Our House Grief Support Center runs the program, serving children and families from across the region. 

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“At Camp Erin, we weave together traditional camp activities with grief support,” explained Talya, Clinical Director of the Children’s Program at Our House. “Kids might do a rock wall or relay race, but they also take part in grief walks, scavenger hunts with healing words, or even smash plates to let go of painful emotions. It’s about giving them space to process while still letting them just be kids.”

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The Role of ZOOZ Fitness

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This year, ZOOZ Fitness brought its signature energy and inclusive approach to Camp Erin. ZOOZ coaches led interactive activities including relay races, water games, and improv, offering kids a chance to move their bodies, laugh, and connect in new ways.

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For Jake, founder of ZOOZ Fitness, the partnership with Camp Erin is deeply personal. A lifelong believer in inclusive fitness, Jake has built ZOOZ into one of the only gyms in the country designed specifically for people with disabilities. Now, through Camp Erin, that mission of strength, inclusion, and community extends to grieving children as well.

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“Our trainers and I were absolutely thrilled to be part of Camp Erin,” said Jake. “We came in hoping to create opportunities for the kids—to give them moments of joy, movement, and strength—but in the end, it was the kids who touched our lives. The resilience they showed, the way they connected with each other, and the courage they brought into every activity was inspiring. It was a deeply emotional day for all of us, and it reminded me why we do what we do at ZOOZ: to build not just physical strength, but community, hope, and healing.”

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For many children, ZOOZ’s programming provided an essential balance. 

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“So much of the camp day is about being in your head and heart, processing grief,” Talya explained. “The ZOOZ activities gave kids a chance to get out of their heads and into their bodies. That balance proved really important for their healing.”

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A Community of Connection

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Camp Erin isn’t just about one weekend—it’s about breaking isolation. Each year, the camp serves over 200 children and their parents and guardians, giving them a network of peers who understand. 

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“It’s rare for a 10-year-old to meet another 10-year-old who’s lost a parent,” Talya said. “But here, they find each other. That sense of community is powerful.”

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Travis, a coach at ZOOZ said being at Camp Erin was life-changing.

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“We ran relay races, games, and water play, and at first many of the kids came over shy and quiet. But by the end of each session, they were laughing, running around, giving hugs, and completely soaking wet with smiles on their faces,” he said.

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“What struck me most was their resilience. These kids are going through one of the hardest experiences of their lives, yet they still found joy, connection, and play. To be part of that fun, and to give them even a little break from their grief, was incredibly powerful.”

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Looking Ahead

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This partnership began earlier in the year when ZOOZ coaches led stretches at Our House’s 5K fundraiser, but Camp Erin marked the first full program collaboration. Both organizations say it won’t be the last.

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“My team was blown away,” Talya reflected. “This feels like the beginning of a flourishing friendship between Camp Erin and ZOOZ.”

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For children who’ve faced unimaginable loss, Camp Erin offers comfort and connection. And thanks to ZOOZ Fitness, it also brings joy, laughter, and the healing power of movement.

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