The Center for Loss & Hope at YoloCares is launching Griefball, an innovative two-day day, weekend camp that uses basketball and somatic grief practices to support young men and boys, ages 7-25, who have experienced a significant death in their lives.

Hosted in partnership with the Sacramento Kings, Griefball brings together athletes, grief specialists, and trained volunteers to address a growing crisis in male mental health.

Each day of the camp integrates physical warm-ups, basketball fundamentals, brief grief talks by athletes and staff, and small-group grief circles where participants can share their stories at their own pace. The program emphasizes emotional intelligence, resilience, and connection—skills participants can carry through a lifetime of loss.

16-25 year olds will participate in the first session from 10:00am-11:30am and will serve as mentors to the youth session from 11:30am-2:00, Check-in for the mentor group will begin at 9:00, and youth check-in will begin at 11:00am.

All participants will pay a $25 deposit fee to hold their spot - this fee will be refunded to those who show up on the day of the event.

Griefball is made possible through a grant from the Sutter Health Foundation and aligns with the Governor of California’s call to prioritize the mental wellbeing of boys and young men.