New York Women's Empowerment Retreat

Health Guidelines: TAPS will make every effort to ensure safe and healthy gatherings. We will continue to monitor COVID variants and may require testing onsite and/or other protocols based on local regulations and CDC guidance. At this time, we do not require proof of full vaccination and masks are optional. Should we have to make any changes you will be notified right away.

Surviving women whose loss occurred more than 6 months ago are invited to join the TAPS Women's Empowerment Program at our New York Retreat.

Overview

If you are asking yourself what's next after the death of your loved one, and you are ready to take steps toward transforming your life, join us at the New York Women's Empowerment Retreat. At this unique retreat for all women who have lost a loved one in the military, we will explore ways to move forward within our new normal. Using a combination of outdoor activities and creative expression, we will take inspiration from our surroundings and our peers to develop a plan for healing and growth. This event will focus on the needs of our minds, bodies and spirits as we clarify our direction in life and create our own path to transformation.

Women's Empowerment retreats are designed to safely challenge participants both mentally and physically. Hiking, zip-lining, ropes courses, and other adventures will be interspersed with the important work of self-discovery and team-building. You will gain a new sense of achievement when you look at an exercise or course you have completed and see the world from several different perspectives - and maybe you will also start to see your grief and your life from a different angle, too.

PLEASE NOTE: Participants in this retreat will need to be able to perform moderate exercise activities and must be free from significant mobility issues. Some of our programming will be held indoors, but you can expect to be active outside each day.

During the retreat, we will focus on building connections and fostering accountability within our group. We will work to establish a supportive community that will provide encouragement and inspiration long after this event ends. Together, we honor the past, recognize the present, and intentionally step into the future.

If you are within the first six months following your loss, we encourage you to attend a Regional Seminar and/or the National Military Survivor Seminar.

SCHEDULE

Monday, August 21: The first day is set aside as a travel day. Once you arrive at the retreat center, 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 property and relax.

Tuesday, August 22 to Thursday, August 24: Each day will include opportunities for creative expression through art and journaling and movement and mindfulness which includes yoga, zip lining, and other outdoor adventures. Group sessions will center upon themes such as opening, grounding, and becoming, along with observing physical and emotional reactions to what's going on when your body is challenged by heights, speed, fear, and the need to trust. Along with structured programming, the schedule will have built-in opportunities for independent reflection, peer led group discussions, and whole group work. Every evening, we will close our time together. 

Friday, August 25: This is set as a travel day. We'll say our final goodbyes and depart from each other.

Event Details

We will be active throughout this retreat. Activities we will be participating in involve moderate physical exertion that includes yoga, walking, hiking, ropes courses, and zip-lining.

Please note that this is a technology-free event. In order to fully immerse ourselves in the activities and connect with fellow attendees, we ask that cellphones and other devices are only used for emergencies.

EVENT FEES

Thanks to the generosity of our donors and sponsors, TAPS will provide lodging, most meals and all activities at no cost to you.

LODGING AND TRANSPORTATION

Lodging will be provided at Honor’s Haven Retreat and Conference Center for all attendees from Monday to Friday. You'll share a room with another event attendee. TAPS covers the cost of lodging at no cost to you, and we'll take care of booking your lodging for the event. 

The meals provided are diverse, and the culinary team caters to all tastes with an intercontinental menu including American, European and Asian fusion dishes.

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

This retreat will be contained to the retreat center and our outdoor activities. If you would like to explore more of New York or the Ellenville area, please plan to extend your visit before or after the retreat. Any extensions will be at your own expense and not covered by TAPS.

APPLICATION DETAILS

Applications will be open from from April 24 to May 1, 2023 (look for blue button at top of this page at that time). Applicants will be notified of selection or waitlist status in mid-May. Applicants not initially selected to attend will be placed on a waitlist and notified as space becomes available.

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