Event Schedule
Event Schedule
Schedule
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2018 National Seminar Program (pdf) »
Whether you recently lost your hero, have lived many years without them or are somewhere in between, the TAPS National Military Survivor Seminar is designed to meet you where you are in your grief journey.
We're bringing together peer professionals, subject matter experts, mental health clinicians and TAPS Peer Mentors and volunteers to provide you with opportunities to grow and heal.
Our TAPS Seminar faculty members are leaders in the field of grief and loss, suicide, traumatic loss and bereavement and will facilitate a rich learning environment to help you gain coping skills and tools to continue your loved one’s legacy.
We'll also have a choice of activities that you can participate in throughout the weekend. All registered attendees will be able to sign up for these activities. To signup, complete the optional Special Event Sign Up supplemental form that is a part of your National Seminar and Camp registration (select Already Registered if applicable).
Want more advance details about the seminar? Download the event mobile app to connect with fellow survivors and get logistic updates prior to the event.
SEMINAR SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS
Thursday, May 24, 2018
All day
Resource Village and TAPS Store Open
11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Family Check In and Registration
5:30 p.m.
Good Grief Camp ZONE
5:30 p.m.
Roadmap Planning and Adult Buffet Dinner
6:30 p.m.
Group Roadmap Sessions
Friday, May 25, 2018
All day
Resource Village and TAPS Store Open
Shuttles to Arlington Cemetery
Artful Grief Studio
7- 9 a.m.
Family Check In and Registration
9:30 a.m.
Newcomers Guidance Workshop: Tips for a Successful Weekend
10 a.m.
Good Grief Camp Opening Ceremony
11:30 a.m.
National Seminar Opening Ceremony
12:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Peer Mentor Classroom Training
12:30 p.m.
Adult Buffet Lunch
1:45 p.m.
Adult Workshops and Sharing Groups
Grief 101: Rebalancing and Relearning
What Should I Expect at Good Grief Camp?
Upcoming Changes to Survivor Health and Dental Benefits
Women’s Empowerment: Let the Journey Begin
How to Grieve like a Man *for men only
Sharing Group -Surviving Spouses without Children
Sharing Group - Surviving Adult Children
Sharing Group - I Married, or am Dating, a Survivor
Sweat is My Grief Work *Workout Clothing Recommended
5 p.m.
Family Buffet Dinner
Evening
Choice of Activities
(Special Event Sign Up Supplemental Form Required)
Pentagon and 9/11 Memorial Tour for our 9/11 Survivors
Evening Parade at Marine Barracks for our Marine Corps Families
TAPS Thought Talk: Building for Personal Success
Family Movie Night
Late Night
Knitters Workshop
Breathing and Stretching for Your Best Rest
12-Step Recovery Meeting
LGBTQ Sharing Group
Saturday, May 26, 2018
All day
Resource Village and TAPS Store Open
Shuttles to Arlington Cemetery
Artful Grief Studio
6:30 a.m.
Morning Movement: Run/Walk on National Capital Trail
6:30 a.m.
Family Buffet Breakfast
7 a.m.
Chairobics: No Impact Cardio & Strengthening
9 a.m.
Inclusive Leadership and Team Building with General Martin Dempsey
Adult Workshops and Sharing Groups
Looking Below the Surface of Loss
Gaining Focus and Relaxation through Mindful Practice
Survivor Benefits and Education Questions
My Loved One Died in Combat
My Loved One Died by Accident
Sharing Group-Suicide Loss
Sharing Group-Surviving Parents
Sharing Group-Surviving Siblings
Putting Up Resistance (Bands Workout/-shop) *Workout Clothing Recommended
Mind-Body Medicine for Healing Trauma
10:45 a.m.
Adult Workshops and Sharing Groups
Reflections on Meaning Making: An Explorative Experience
Transformation through Mask Making
Illness and the Death of My Loved One: Info Session
Women’s Empowerment Part 2: Looking Within
Cultivating Hope after Loss
Sharing Group – Accident Loss
Sharing Group – Open to All
Sharing Group - Men Only
Strategies, Resources, Tools for Nutritious Fueling
12:30 p.m.
Adult Buffet Lunch
1:30 p.m.
Adult Workshops and Sharing Groups
Strengthening Relationships and Marriages after Traumatic Loss
Sibling Grief: The Forgotten Mourners
The 411 on Professional Grief & Trauma Counseling: Clinical Support and Helpful Interventions
Addictive Behaviors and Healthy Coping
When the Grief Wave Hits: A Survivor Perspective
Sharing Group –Surviving Fiancés and Significant Others
Sharing Group – Surviving Moms
Sharing Group - Surviving Spouses with Children
Yin Yoga & Creating Space in Mind and Muscles
3:30 p.m.
Adult Workshops and Sharing Groups
Of Metaphors and Men *for men only
A Mindful Moment; A Powerful Intention
The Magic of Six Piles: Sorting Through their Belongings
Why People Die By Suicide
What Men Want Women to Know *for women only
Sharing Group –Illness Loss
Sharing Group – Girl Talk: Intimacy and Dating
Sharing Group –In-Laws and Grandparents
Pound it Out Workout *Workout Clothing Recommended
5:30 p.m.
TAPS Field Day USA for Good Grief Campers
Outdoor experience with our child survivors and their military mentors – Field Day USA is a complete fun fest for our Good Grief Campers. The kids will be treated to an incredible evening loaded with carnival games, golf by The First Tee, sports activities, picnic dinner music, and team challenges.
6 p.m.
TAPS Grand Banquet featuring Chef Robert Irvine and the Best of Military Chefs with Entertainment by John Schneider
A world-class chef, fitness authority and tireless supporter of our military families, Chef Robert Irvine has cooked in many challenging environments. For TAPS, he is teaming up with chefs from each branch of the military to prepare any amazing feast for the adults attending our National Seminar. After dinner, actor and country music singer John Schneider will be performing for our families.
Late Night
Knitters Workshop
Breathing and Stretching for Your Best Rest
12-Step Recovery Meeting
LGBTQ Sharing Group
Sunday, May 27, 2018
All day
Resource Village by Appointment
TAPS Pop Up Store Open
Shuttles to Arlington Cemetery
Artful Grief Studio
6:30 a.m.
Family Buffet Breakfast
7:30 a.m.
Sunrise Christian Service
7:30 a.m.
A Place for Me Outside of Church
8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Peer Mentor Classroom Training
8:30 a.m.
Good Grief Camp: Group Activities
9 a.m.
Adult Workshops and Sharing Groups
God Winks
Covert Grief *men only
Mindfulness for Managing Difficult Emotions
Supporting My School Aged Children throughout the Grief Journey
Action Driven Remembering: Healing Heartbreak
Sharing Group - Combat Loss
Sharing Group- Surviving Parents
Sharing Group- Surviving Spouses and Significant Others
Motions & Emotions: Creating Inspirational Space and Journaling the Mind/Body Connection
Utilizing a Trauma Healing Diet
10:45 a.m.
Adult Workshops and Sharing Groups
From Caregiver to Griever: Coping With Death Due to Illness
How Can We Turn Our Pain Into Purpose?
Women’s Empowerment Part 3: Looking Forward
When Things Get Real: Loss and the Shifting Family Dynamics
Grief and the Workplace: Navigating the Waters of Employment after Deep Loss
For Parents: Using Breathing & Mindfulness to Support Children and Teens thru Grief
12:30 p.m.
Adult Buffet Luncheon
2 p.m.
Adult Workshops and Sharing Groups
Sowing Seeds of Hope in the Garden of Grief
Legacy Building: A Long-term Goal for Success
Sharing Our Stories: What We Tell Ourselves, Our TAPS Family and the Outside World
TAPS, Always By Your Side: Our Core Services and the Road Ahead
Easy Techniques for Stress Reduction
Wellness Roundup
Finding Invictus: Conversations on Kindness, Mental Resilience and the Courage to Be
3:30 p.m.
Roadmap Planning One-to-One - The Journey Ahead
5 p.m.
TAPS Family BBQ featuring the Mentor March and Good Grief Camp Graduation with Entertainment by Wilde Fire
Late Night
12-Step Recovery Meeting
LGBTQ Sharing Group
Monday, May 28, 2018
TAPS Pop Up Store Open
6:30 a.m.
Family Buffet Breakfast
7:30 a.m.
Depart for Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Day Service
Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Day Service and Wreath
Laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
(Special Event Sign Up Supplemental Form Required)
Buses will begin the return to the Crystal Gateway Marriott immediately after the ceremony. The last bus will leave Arlington National Cemetery at 2 p.m.
12:15 p.m.
Depart for National Memorial Day Parade
National Memorial Day Parade
featuring TAPS Float accompanied by Oshkosh JLTV
(Special Event Sign Up Supplemental Form Required)
National Memorial Day Parade begin at 7th Street and ends at 19th Street. Buses will leave after the Parade concludes.
Choice of Activities
To sign up for the activities listed below, complete the optional Special Event Sign Up supplemental form that is a part of your National Seminar and Camp registration (select Already Registered if applicable and login to access the supplemental form using enter your confirmation number and email).
Friday, May 25, 2018
Pentagon and 9/11 Memorial Tour for our 9/11 Survivors - Full. If you choose this activity, you are placed onto the waitlist and will be notified no later than May 11, 2018 if a space has become available.
Our September 11, 2001 survivors are warmly welcomed to request attendance at our Pentagon and 9/11 Memorial Tour. Buses will depart at 3:45 p.m. for those attending the Tour and will return to the Hotel at 6:30 p.m.
Evening Parade at Marine Barracks for our Marine Corps Families - Space is limited; you will be notified of your attendance status no later than May 11, 2018.
Our Marine Corps Families are invited to request attendance at the U.S. Marine Corps Evening Parade. Buses will depart at 6:15 p.m. for those attending and return to the hotel by 10 p.m.
TAPS Thought Talk: Building for Personal Success - Space is not limited for this event.
First ever TAPS Thought Talk will be held for our TAPS Families in the Gateway Marriott. We are honored to feature a collection of dynamic speakers from sports, entertainment, philanthropy and business. This 90-minute event is appropriate for adults and older children.
Family Movie Night - Space is not limited for this event.
Kick back and enjoy a Family Movie Night with music, games, popcorn and a lot of fun! Please note that this is not a Good Grief Camp event and all children must be accompanied by an adult for the entire evening.
Monday, May 28, 2018
Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony and Wreath Laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - Space is not limited for this event.
All TAPS families are welcome at the Arlington Cemetery Ceremony. Buses will load at 7:30 a.m. and begin the return to the Crystal Gateway Marriott immediately after the ceremony. The last bus will leave Arlington National Cemetery at 2 p.m.
National Memorial Day Parade (walking) - Space is limited; you will be notified of your attendance status no later than May 11, 2018.
TAPS Families are invited to request attendance at the National Memorial Day Parade featuring TAPS Float accompanied by Oshkosh JLTV. Buses will depart at 12:15 p.m. for those attending and return to the hotel by 4 p.m. Be aware this opportunity will be a one of a kind experience as you march down Constitution Avenue carrying a photo of your hero. However, it involves a lot of walking – about 20 city blocks – and the parade will go on rain or shine. You will not be able to attend the ceremony at Arlington Cemetery if you join the Parade group.
National Memorial Day Parade (viewing) - Space is limited; you will be notified of your attendance status no later than May 11, 2018.
TAPS Families are invited to request attendance to watch the National Memorial Day Parade featuring our TAPS Float accompanied by Oshkosh JLTV from reserved seats along the parade route. Buses will depart at 12:15 p.m. for those attending and return to the hotel by 4 p.m. Be aware this opportunity will require some walking back and forth to the TAPS buses and the parade will go on rain or shine. You will not be able to attend the ceremony at Arlington Cemetery if you join the Parade group.