SEX FILES: Where do broken hearts go? To camp

Article content

When Greg Chociej went through the most devastating breakup of his life, he was left reeling and unsure of where to turn. His friends, though well-meaning, offered the usual prescription: get drunk, hook up, and try to forget. But Greg knew he needed something more profound – a space to feel and process his pain. “I remember thinking, just get me out of the city for a week. Give me some therapy, some water, some basketball, and some trees,” he recalls.

That longing eventually grew into Camp Heartbreak – Canada’s first immersive retreat dedicated to healing heartbreak. Kicking off on May 21-26 at the stunning Can-Aqua Camp – a 65-hectare forested property just 2.5 hours from Toronto – Camp Heartbreak offers a space for people who’ve experienced a breakup to reconnect, reflect and start rebuilding – not just their love lives, but their sense of self.

What started as a reality TV concept soon evolved into something much more tangible – a potential remedy for the ongoing loneliness epidemic. “Heartbreak is a ubiquitous human experience, yet we barely treat it seriously – especially in Western society,” Chociej explains. “We’re given all the tools to deal with the damage but none for the fixing.”

Although therapy can help tremendously and the stigma around it has lessened, taking that first step can feel uncomfortable at best and daunting at worst. Camp Heartbreak aims to change that by pairing the comforting nostalgia of summer camp – think friendship bracelets, crackling campfires, and a dinner bell that rings like clockwork – with professional mental health support and healing practices.

Chociej also points out that healing a universal issue like heartbreak doesn’t happen in a vacuum. People require community, and he’s hoping Camp Heartbreak can provide that. Over 5 days, 4-night campers will be part of a safe, supportive space where they can share their experiences, learn from experts, and gain the tools they need to move forward – and maybe brush up on their archery skills while they’re at it.

Processing the emotional toll of a breakup can feel heavy, and Chociej wants to lighten the load. “We’re constantly trying to break up the hard personal work with less intensive activities to give people a chance to reflect,” he says. Each day is carefully structured to include two group therapy sessions led by top-tier therapists and specialists, balanced by free time and restorative activities like journaling, cold plunges, sound baths and yoga.

When asked why he chose a camp in the woods for healing, Chociej says that cities like Toronto are great for many things, but healing heartache isn’t necessarily one of them. Instead, he hopes people find solace away from their daily environments and digital leash. In other words, “Let the trees do their thing…Nature is such a healing tool,” he says.

Although my last relationship ended over a year ago, speaking with Chociej, I couldn’t help but wonder if heading into the woods could help me, too. I’m ashamed to admit that even after all these months, I still feel haunted by the breakup.

Chociej says Camp Heartbreak is about putting that kind of shame to rest. At the camp, they welcome people from all different stages of breakups – whether they just ended a decades-long marriage or can’t get over a situationship from three years ago.

While the majority of the interest so far has been from women, Chociej agrees that men could greatly benefit from the Camp Heartbreak experience. As he points out, women and men process breakups differently – and guys often don’t have the same kinds of emotional support from friends. He says, unfortunately, “ With men, you have four weeks to complain, and then you better shut up.” This can leave men with unresolved feelings that impact future relationships.

Camp Heartbreak recognizes the uncomfortable truth that there is no easy fix for a broken heart. Healing takes time, and they hope to make relationships better for everyone by providing a safe place to start the process.

If anything, Chociej hopes people walk away with a sense of connection to a larger community. “The hope is you come to the camp, and there’s a WhatsApp group after — or better — because you shared, you opened, you created this interesting experience.”

After all, isn’t that what camp is all about?