Chicago Surviving Spouses and Surviving Significant Others Retreat

All surviving spouses and surviving significant others grieving the loss of a loved one who served in the Armed Forces are warmly invited to join TAPS for our Chicago Surviving Spouses and Surviving Significant Others Retreat.

The grief journey takes us out of our comfort zone. But when we see that others share this journey, we can find new ways to grow and heal with a little more confidence.

Step away from the daily stressors of life and immerse yourself in a safe environment to help you connect with yourself, your loved one and others who understand. Explore Chicago, create new bonds and celebrate your fallen hero. You’ll learn to focus on yourself and be in the moment.

Move beyond your comfort zone with the support of others who understand at the Chicago Surviving Spouses and Surviving Significant Others Retreat. 

SCHEDULE 

Day 1: The first day is set aside as a travel day. Once you arrive in Chicago, TAPS staff will be there to greet you and get you checked in. Then, the day is yours to get settled in, meet fellow survivors, explore the area and relax.

Day 2-3: We’ll start the day with an opening ceremony, giving us the opportunity to introduce ourselves and our fallen heroes. You’ll get an overview of what to expect at the retreat, and you'll have a chance to ask questions. We'll then spend the second and third days participating in activities, such as participating in a flying trapeze class and taking a bike tour of Chicago.

Day 4: After our last day of activities, we'll wrap up our time together with a closing ceremony to honor ourselves, our new connections and our journeys.

Day 5: We'll say our goodbyes and depart for home, but we hope that you'll utilize this family you've created as an ongoing support network long after this retreat is complete.

ADVENTURE LEVEL

This retreat is rated as an active adventure. We'll be active throughout the retreat and will challenge you, and activities will involve moderate physical exertion. There will also be plenty of time to relax and connect with fellow survivors.

RETREAT FEES

Thanks to the generosity of our donors and sponsors, TAPS will provide lodging, most meals and all activities at no cost to you. A $50 deposit will be collected at the time of registration. At the conclusion of the retreat, you may choose to donate this deposit to TAPS to support future programs; otherwise, it will be fully refunded to attendees.

LODGING AND TRANSPORTATION

Lodging will be provided for all attendees at the Hotel Chicago from Wednesday to Sunday. You'll share a room with another retreat attendee. TAPS covers the cost of lodging at no cost to you, and we'll take care of booking your lodging for the retreat. 

You'll need to cover the cost of your transportation to and from Chicago. Please do not make travel arrangements until you receive a welcome email after registering.

REGISTRATION DETAILS

Registration is currently full, but you can add your name to the waitlist. Registration is conducted on a first come, first served basis; a waitlist is formed once registration has reached capacity. Please keep in mind that we hold a number of spots on each event for first-time attendees, so don't be discouraged if you're added to the waitlist. You'll receive an email if a spot becomes available for you.

If you have attended a TAPS retreat within the past 12 months, we kindly ask that you wait until Feb. 16 at 3 p.m. ET to register for this event. Previous attendance will not automatically be recognized due to pending registration system updates, but it will be manually verified. Any registrations violating this rule will be canceled, and you will be able to try again after 3 p.m. ET on Feb. 16.

Upon registration, you'll receive a confirmation email. Please email support@taps.org and retreats@taps.org if you do not receive a confirmation email after registering. Within 48 hours, you'll receive a welcome email from TAPS Retreats staff that includes information about accommodations, flights, etc. Please do not book your flight until you receive the welcome email.

If you have any questions, please email retreats@taps.org or call 800-959-TAPS (8277).