FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Thank you for your interest in the 4th Annual T*A*P*S National Military Suicide 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 suicide loss of 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.
[ Back ]
WHEN DOES EVENT TAKE PLACE?
The Seminar and Good Grief Camp will take place from Friday, October 5th, 2012 to Sunday, October 7th, 2012.
Registration: Begins at 5 p.m. Friday October 5th
Conclusion: Sunday 5 p.m., October 7th
[ Back ]
LOCATION
All workshops and events take place in, or depart from, the Paradise Point Resort and Spa in San Diego, California.
[ Back ]
HOW DO I SIGN UP TO ATTEND?
Visit our website at www.taps.org. From our home page, click on the ‘2012 National Suicide Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp’ link for general information, registration and flight assistance.
[ Back ]
FEES
Registration fee for the seminar is $125.00 per adult. This fee includes materials, workshops, meals, a TAPS t-shirt and special events and all lodging costs. The fee for the Good Grief Camp is $30.00 per child and provides materials, meals, TAPS t-shirt, and TAPS Backpack. In addition, the $30.00 would cover daycare services for our youngest survivors.
Note: Registration closes on September 21st. Registration fees are refundable until September 21st.
Note: A limited number of scholarships are available if you are facing financial challenges. The scholarship deadline is August 31st. Email Scholarships@taps.org or call TAPS at 800-959-8277 for more information.
[ Back ]
TRAVEL
Donated airfare is available! The last date to apply for airfare is August 31st. You should arrive by 5 p.m. on Friday, October 5th for registration, morning of registration will also start at 8 a.m. should you arrive after registration on Friday. If you have a child attending the Good Grief Camp, it begins at 9:00 AM Friday. Please note that it is imperative for children to attend the entire Good Grief Camp. Failure to do so lessens the cohesion in the group as the children start sharing early on in the group. Donated flights will be scheduled to depart Monday October 8th.
[ Back ]
GROUND TRANSPORTATION
Transportation to and from the airport will be provided by TAPS. The Paradise Point Resort and Spa is just a 20-minute drive from the San Diego Airport.
[ Back ]
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.
[ Back ]
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!
[ Back ]
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. If you have questions about the childcare offered, please contact Heather Campagna, Director of Youth Programs, at 800-959-TAPS (8277).
[ Back ]
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).
[ Back ]
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.
[ Back ]
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:
- At the Good Grief Camp for survivors of a military suicide, a child must either know that their loved one died by suicide or that they were not told anything to contradict this information (i.e. died by heart attack, car accident, etc.). The reason why this is important is when you are surrounded by others who are survivors of a loss by suicide, most will pick up on this in the group when others are sharing. Please contact Heather Campagna with questions about this at 800-959-8277 (TAPS) or heather@taps.org.
- 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.
- 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 TAPS Office 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. However, neither calls nor text messaging will be used during our group sessions. If you need to speak to your child, please contact the TAPS office.
- Your child will be given a TAPS t-shirt for the Good Grief Camp. Please have them wear it each morning as this helps us easily identify children within the TAPS group! Dress should be cool, casual and comfortable. Shorts/pants (depending on the weather) 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!
[ Back ]