Sussex County - Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice and the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center are offering art therapy classes for children ages 6-12 who have experienced the loss of a loved one. These classes will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on July 20, 21, 25 and 26 at St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Church, 614 Route 517 in Vernon. The program will focus on meeting the individualized needs of grieving children through art therapy and activities such as puppet making. Children will create their own puppets and use them to share their thoughts and feelings with their loved ones who have died. “Children will often take this opportunity to tell their lost loved ones how much they miss them and love them or tell them things they didn’t get a chance to share before they died,” says Director of Bereavement Diana Sebzda. The classes, which will provide an environment where children can feel comfortable asking questions and expressing their fears about death, will be presented by Sebzda and bereavement counselor Lorri Opitz. Another activity is body tracing, in which each child’s body is traced. Children color in their bodies to describe what feelings they have inside and where these feelings are in their bodies. This activity teaches children where they hold their feelings and how their feelings affect them physically if they are not released in a healthy way. The activity also assists in helping children learn how they can feel when their “feeling aches” disappear. Children’s art therapy also allows children to come together with others who have also experienced a loss and offers a ceremonial closure activity for parents and children together on the last day. There is a registration fee of $50 to cover the cost of materials and supplies, and limited scholarships are available. For more information, call Diana Sebzda or Lorri Opitz at 973-383-0115.