FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Thank you for your interest in the 18th Annual T*A*P*S National Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors! We hope the following will assist you as you prepare to join us.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
SURVIVORS: If you are grieving the death of a loved one in the military, whether a family member, friend or fellow service member, you are invited and encouraged to attend. You will attend workshops designed to help you cope with life after loss. We have supportive discussions offering a chance to share with others facing similar loss and helping you discover you are not alone.
CAREGIVERS: TAPS offers the most current information and instruction for professionals working with military survivors. This seminar is essential for chaplains, casualty/mortuary staffs, family support, commanders and their spouses, medical and mental health personnel, funeral directors and therapists.
CHILDREN: The TAPS Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors is America’s first established program for children who have lost a parent, sibling or very close loved one in military service. Our youth have a chance to share, learn coping skills and have fun in a supportive environment. Managed by some of America’s finest adolescent grief and trauma experts, the young survivors also learn about our nation’s Capitol, while forging lasting friendships. In addition, this year we have included a children's parallel program, "TAPS Honoring Heroes Camp" in addition to the TAPS Good Grief Camp to be able to better assist those who may not need to learn coping skills, who have not lost a parent or sibling, but still need to understand that they are part of the military heritage and how we honor those who died while serving our country.
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WHEN DOES THE EVENT TAKE PLACE?
The Seminar and Good Grief Camp will take place from Friday, May 25, 2012 to Monday, May 28, 2012.
Early Registration: Begins at 6 p.m., Thursday May 24.
Registration: Begins at 9a.m. Friday May 25.
Conclusion: Monday 2p.m., May 28 after attendance at Memorial Day services at Arlington National Cemetery.
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LOCATION?
All workshops and events for adults take place in, or depart from, the Crystal Gateway Marriott at 1700 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Virginia.
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HOW DO I SIGN UP TO ATTEND?
Visit our website at www.taps.org. From our home page, click on the ‘2012 National Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp’ link for general information, registration and hotel reservations.
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FEES
Registration fee for the seminar is $195.00 per adult. This fee includes materials, workshops, meals, ground transportation, a TAPS t-shirt and special events. The fee for the Good Grief Camp is $75.00 per child and provides materials, meals, ground transportation, TAPS t-shirt, and TAPS Backpack. In addition, the $75.00 would cover daycare services for our youngest survivors.
Note: Registration fees are refundable until May 7th.
Note: A limited number of scholarships are available if you are facing financial challenges. See the fees section for more information about how to apply for a scholarship or call TAPS at 800-959-8277.
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TRAVEL
You should arrive by noon on Friday, May 25 for attendance at our opening session. If you have a child attending the Good Grief Camp, note that it begins at 10:30 AM Friday. Departures should be scheduled after 3pm on Monday, May 28, to allow for our return from Arlington National Cemetery.
Should your travel require you return home to participate in local Memorial Day ceremonies, you may wish to schedule departure Sunday evening, May 27, after our last session ends at 4pm.
If you are planning on driving to the event, parking is available for a fee of $10 hourly or $22 daily.
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WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
Most of our events, including workshops and activities are casual. Hotel meeting rooms, despite our best efforts, can range in temperature, so you may wish to bring a light sweater for your own comfort level.
Our Saturday evening banquet is typically semi-formal, however, you may wear whatever is comfortable.
For our visit to Arlington National Cemetery, we suggest you wear clothes that you would wear to church, however, please wear what is comfortable for you. No matter what you wear, you will be fine.
Keep in mind, weather can vary, so bring clothes that will protect you in cold, rain or hot sunshine (you can visit www.weather.com and enter our hotel zip code, 22202 for up to the minute forecasts).
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WHAT ELSE SHOULD I BRING?
If you would like to swim during the weekend, you may wish to bring a bathing suit as there is a pool located at the hotel. Also a camera can be helpful to document the special events and the highlights of the event!
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IS CHILD CARE OFFERED?
We have professional child care available for children ages 3 years old and under, as the Good Grief Camp supports those children ages 4-19 years old. Care is provided Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8 AM until 10 PM. After 10:00 late fees will apply. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be served in the childcare rooms. The staff of Munchkin Care will provide care for your young children while you participate in the Seminar and have been an incredible comfort and support for our youngest survivors (and parents!) since 2005! If you have questions about the childcare offered, please contact Heather Campagna, Director of Youth Programs, at 800-959-TAPS (8277).
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EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBER?
If you need to provide your family back home an emergency contact number, you may provide them the direct TAPS number of 800-959-TAPS(8277) or 202-588-TAPS(8277). You may also utilize this number in the event you are stranded at the airport in D.C. and need to contact someone.
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DO I HAVE TO SELECT WORKSHOPS PRIOR TO ATTENDING?
Workshop attendance is flexible; you may choose which sessions to attend at your leisure and if you get into a workshop and find it is not what you expected, you are welcome to slip out and join another workshop.
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WILL THERE BE OPPORTUNITIES TO SIGHTSEE WHILE IN WASHINGTON?
We have optional activities planned during the weekend including a nighttime tour of DC along with our attendance at the Memorial Day ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery. To have additional time to visit the city, you may wish to arrive a day early or depart a day later after the seminar concludes. Let us know how we can help you plan your activities.
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GOOD GRIEF CAMP - SHOULD MY CHILDREN ATTEND? WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE PLANNED?
The TAPS Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors is a wonderful experience for children of all ages. They will:
- Find comfort in knowing they are not alone
- Develop coping skills to handle their emotions
- Learn how America honors those who died while serving in the military
- Discover they have a new group of friends their age who will be there for them and who understand
- Realize that they are still a part of the military family as the Good Grief Camp Mentors stand by ready to assist and be a “big brother/big sister” to your child
Helpful information for parents whose children will be attending the Good Grief Camp:
- 4 year olds MUST be potty trained prior to attending the Good Grief Camp (we do understand occasional accidents).
- We will have specific hours set on the agenda. Please make sure your child comes to his/her group ON TIME, but not earlier than the start of camp, as this time is set aside for mentors and group leaders to meet to discuss the activities of the day.
- Please ensure your child is picked up promptly at the close of the sessions for the day.
- As requested by many, we have allowed more family time within our schedule for Friday evening! There are many options of activities or just “hanging" with your children in the room, at the pool, or around DC on your own!
- We understand your concern for your children. However it can be disrupting to others if you enter their group room, and can be upsetting to the child if they think you are concerned for their well-being. If you need something or it is imperative to speak to your child, please go to the GGC Office in Salon D and we will be happy to help. We have a discreet system for interrupting the group if required!
- Children are allowed to have cell phones as long as they are on silent (not vibrate). We understand that having them can be a source of comfort for both you and your child. However, neither calls nor text messaging will be allowed during our group sessions. If you need to speak to your child, please contact the GGC office.
- Your child will be given 2 TAPS t-shirts for the Good Grief Camp. Please have them wear it every morning as this helps us easily identify children within the TAPS group! Dress should be cool and comfortable. Shorts and tennis shoes are great since there will be a lot of activities and walking. They will also be given a TAPS backpack and a workbook! If your child has attended a Good Grief Camp before and you would like to bring their backpack or workbook from a previous camp, please feel free to do so!
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HONORING HEROES CAMP - SHOULD MY CHILDREN ATTEND? WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE PLANNED?
The TAPS Honoring Heroes Camp is a wonderful experience for children of all ages. They will:
- Learn how America honors those who died while serving in the military
- Discover they have a new group of friends their age who understand a military loss
- Have a wonderful time meeting new friends and having a great time around DC and activities in the hotel as well!
Helpful information for parents whose children will be attending the Honoring Heroes Camp:
- 4 year olds MUST be potty trained prior to attending the Honoring Heroes Camp (we do understand occasional accidents).
- We will have specific hours set on the agenda. Please make sure your child comes to his/her group ON TIME, but not earlier than the start of camp.
- Please ensure your child is picked up promptly at the close of the sessions for the day.
- As requested by many, we have allowed more family time within our schedule for Friday evening! There are many options of activities or just “hanging" with your children in the room, at the pool, or around DC on your own!
- We understand your concern for your children. However it can be disrupting to others if you enter their group room, and can be upsetting to the child if they think you are concerned for their well-being. If you need something or it is imperative to speak to your child, please go to the GGC Office in Salon D and we will be happy to help. We have a discreet system for interrupting the group if required!
- Children are allowed to have cell phones as long as they are on silent (not vibrate). We understand that having them can be a source of comfort for both you and your child. However, neither calls nor text messaging will be allowed during our group sessions. If you need to speak to your child, please contact the GGC office.
- Your child will be given 2 TAPS t-shirts for the Honoring Heroes Camp. Please have them wear it every morning as this helps us easily identify children within the TAPS group! Dress should be cool and comfortable. Shorts and tennis shoes are great since there will be a lot of activities and walking. They will also be given a TAPS backpack! If your child has attended a TAPS Camp before and you would like to bring their backpack from a previous camp, please feel free to do so!
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VOLUNTEER AT THE 2012 NATIONAL SEMINAR
To volunteer at the National Seminar (in a capacity other than a Peer Mentor or Good Grief Camp Mentor) please email volunteer@taps.org.
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