Each Memorial Day, from Friday through Monday noon of that weekend, we bring together children of all ages from around the world whose loved one died in service to our country. This includes youth whose loved ones died during the most recent battles in Iraq, suffered a heart attack while serving in the National Guard, were at the Pentagon at the time of the attack on September 11, or were killed in a car accident. We honor the life and the service of those they loved, not the geography or circumstances of the death. These children are all part of the living legacy of military service.

Children and teens from all over the US come to DC and are paired with military mentors who understand the military and can companion these kids/teens throughout their journey of grief over this special weekend. These children/teens learn how we, as a nation, honor those who have served and sacrificed, and they also learn coping skills for handling their own grief. They meet other children their own age, and gain a peer support network they can lean on throughout the year. The children, with their mentors, will go through grief work within their group, tour DC, and learn – through experiences within the group and their mentor's guidance - that the military supports them and honors their loved one.

The TAPS Good Grief Camp gives youngsters a solid foundation on which to build a healthy future following a tragic loss. The average American doesn't understand the immense sacrifices that military families make for America. Being a military family requires special people and dedication. When a parent or loved one in that family dies, the children deserve the very best care possible. These surviving youth learn coping skills and will learn the feelings they are experiencing are normal reactions to an abnormal event - the untimely death of a parent or loved one.

The weekend will consist of a mandatory three hour training on Thursday (two sessions available). Friday through Sunday will be full days spent with the children/teens. The seminar culminates in the Memorial Day Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery and four youth participate in the laying of the wreath on the Tomb of the Unknowns and bring the American and TAPS flag into the Amphitheater as part of the ceremony. It is a great honor working with these children and honoring their loved one's sacrifice in doing so.

It is important to be available the entire weekend as a mentor for this special group. Please call TAPS at 800-959-TAPS (8277) or send an email to Heather@taps.org with any questions!

Thank you again for your support!

Heather Campagna
Director, 2008 TAPS Good Grief Camp

PLEASE NOTE AT THIS TIME WE ARE SEEKING ACTIVE DUTY/RESERVE SERVICE MEMBERS IN THE DC AREA TO ASSIST AND APPLY TO BE MENTORS.  THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

 

TAPS GOOD GRIEF CAMP VOLUNTEER/MENTOR JOB DESCRIPTION 1. Ability to follow directions from mental health provider/group leader of bereaved child 2. Ability to use good judgment when assessing safety for children (Metro, crossing street, etc.) 3. Ability to attend all training for volunteers/mentors and the entire Memorial Day weekend 4. Ability to demonstrate good moral and responsible conduct around children of all ages 5. Willingness to be a “Big Brother” or “Big Sister” to child who has lost their parent, guardian or other relative in the line of military service. 6. Ability to refrain from profanity, smoking, or unprofessional conduct while serving as a mentor to a child in the Good Grief Camp 7. Ability to be “present” and “companion” a child or children while cognizant of own grief and loss issues of a military friend or family member 8. Willingness to continue the mentor role throughout the rest of the year for the child’s birthday, special events, or holidays. 9. Ability to show empathy for children and surviving parent as the family is grieving 10. Ability to demonstrate good boundaries to help the family use their own inner strengths and community support. 11. All mentors must complete the security background check. 12. Mentors must be at least 20 years old and demonstrate maturity when working with children and following directions (exceptions to age requirement for military personnel allowed).

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