Atlanta Siblings Retreat

All surviving siblings grieving the loss of a loved one who served in the Armed Forces are warmly invited to join TAPS for our Atlanta Siblings Retreat.

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

At this unique retreat for siblings, you'll get to challenge yourself to step beyond your comfort zone with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to swim with whale sharks at the Georgia Aquarium! You'll journey with these gentle giants in the water, form bonds of friendship with fellow survivors as we explore Stone Mountain State Park, and celebrate and honor your loved one in beautiful Atlanta.

Move beyond your comfort zone in the presence of others who understand at the Atlanta Siblings Retreat. 

SCHEDULE 

Day 1: The first day is set aside as a travel day. Once you arrive in Atlanta, 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: 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. Then, we'll spend at the Georgia Aquarium where you'll have the opportunity to swim with whale sharks. 

Day 3: On the third day, we'll spend our time on the water at Stone Mountain State Park in a variety of watercraft from kayaks to canoes to stand-up paddleboards. That evening, we'll enjoy a special Atlanta surprise before heading back to the hotel for the night.

Day 4: We'll return to Stone Mountain State Park for another day of adventure, and then 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 a challenging adventure. These are our most physically demanding retreats. Activities will challenge you and may involve heavy physical exertion and demanding environments. 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 from Wednesday to Sunday. You will 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 Atlanta. 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 forms 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 March 22nd at 12 p.m. Eastern 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 12 p.m. Eastern on the 22nd.

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).