Chicago Tribune

'I never want to leave': Arts camp for kids who've lost a parent is a balm and, unexpectedly, a blast

"Now, I don't know any of your names," Tim Henderson told the group of 41 kids seated in a circle. "So on the count of three, I want everyone to say your name as loud as you can: 1, 2, 3."

"MARKATHYDONTEDARJADESHELLANTEKIM!"

"Nice to meet you, Markathydonterdarjadeshellantekim," Henderson replied, "Here's what we're going to do."

Henderson, who goes by "Toaster," is a poet and musician who works as a teaching artist for Young Chicago Authors, a group that travels to schools and camps and clubs to foster creativity and expression in young people.

These particular

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