Texas Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp
July 14 - 17, 2017
As we move through the grief journey, we realize that changes provide perspective, and perspective drives purpose. Find new perspective, a sense of purpose and the support of peers at our brand new regional seminars.
We urge you to take three days out of the grind of grief work and the stresses of daily life to fellowship with your TAPS family.
Our new format will help you personalize your experience. Some of us are at a place where we want to tell the story of what happened, and we need to grieve safely, openly and deeply. Some of us need to talk, some need to listen and some don't feel comfortable participating with words. Some of us are struggling to figure out how grief looks many years down the road — how to reconcile how our families have changed and are still changing. Some of us need to lean into life, to take better care of ourselves, to move our bodies, to get out and do things and to connect with the people with whom we feel the closest.
Think of TAPS Seminars as a gathering place where all of that, and more, is possible. Think of them as tools for building your compassion for yourself and others, your capacity to grieve and to heal, and your confidence.
We've changed our seminars, and change waits for you there, too.
GOOD GRIEF CAMP
Though their lives are marked by grief, young survivors at TAPS know their lives will also be marked by camaraderie, mentorship, emotional maturity, adventure and fun.
Led by experts in the fields of child development, mental health and education, TAPS Youth Programs provide safe spaces for military children to explore grief and embrace healing.
At TAPS Seminars, this takes the form of Good Grief Camps where children are able to share and learn coping skills through games, crafts and other activities in a fun and supportive environment. Each child is paired with a military mentor who serves as a "big brother" or "big sister" and reminds the child that he or she is still a part of the military community.
MOBILE APP
TAPS is excited to launch a mobile app for the 2017 Austin Regional Seminar and Good Grief Camp. We believe it is invaluable to welcome our returning families and introduce first-time attendees to the seminar activities before the event starts. This helps us avoid overwhelming logistics details, so you can focus on the many healing resources available at the seminar.
The app is now available on iOS and Android devices and can be downloaded in the App Store and Google Play store by searching “TAPS Events & Programs." The app will move up in rankings as more people search for it, but if you don't see it at the top of your search results, just scroll down and look for TAPS Events & Programs.
New this year is the 2-step security verification, which requires an individual email and password for each adult user. The password will be emailed to survivors registered for NMSS. If you are registered under another family member’s email, we invite you to set up your own profile and access to the app by filling out this Mobile App Access Request form. TAPS staff will update your record and confirm your access to the mobile app as quickly as possible--usually within a few hours.
The TAPS Events app puts advance details about the Austin Regional Seminar right in the palm of your hand. It helps all our survivors connect with their peers and provides logistic updates and reminders during the event. This interactive tool will allow survivors to share stories and experiences, engage with TAPS through our social networks and post pictures of their favorite TAPS family events and activities – all in one place.
Not sure where to go? Integrated maps with session locations and exhibitor information are at your fingertips. Recommended session schedules for different grief programming and speaker information are all built into the easy-to-navigate app. We are hard at work to ensure this app makes the experience at the Austin Regional Seminar easier and smoother, so survivors can spend their time focusing on healing.
For any questions or technical support before or during the event, please email appsupport@taps.org.
Top 5 Reasons to Download the TAPS Events App
- Bookmark workshops, get reminders and respond to surveys at your fingertips!
- Get real time event updates from TAPS Staff. Don't miss a message!
- Network with other survivors, connect with your favorite speakers and meet with exhibitors in the Resource Village.
- The social feed allows you to tune in to what others are talking about at the event. Join the conversation.
- The app has exclusive content you won't find anywhere else. Experience the event to the fullest with the most up-to-date event info!The app has exclusive content you won't find anywhere else. Experience the event to the fullest with the most up-to-date event info!
SCHEDULE
Our regional seminar starts on Friday evening. Following hotel check-in, your warm TAPS greeting and dinner, there will be dessert and welcome sessions. Friday evening will be informal yet informative — you'll be able to ask questions, meet peer mentors, and get a feel for what to expect. Whether you're relieved to be back with your TAPS family or feeling hesitant and overwhelmed, you'll have the chance to take a breath and know we've got you.
Starting on Saturday morning and concluding with dinner on Sunday, we'll have the entire weekend together. You'll create your own schedule, selecting from a variety of workshops, sharing groups, fitness and mindfulness activities, and special events. Off-site opportunities allow you the chance to really explore the beautiful resort. Programming is purposeful and intentional and includes remembrance ceremonies, family dinners, and stories of love and loss.
We want you to participate fully in Sunday activities, so after our Americana-themed Sunday night dinner, you'll have the option to stay at the hotel for a third night. We're certain you'll re-enter your "regular life" refreshed and renewed.
With all the new changes at TAPS Regional Seminars, some things won't ever change — the ready hugs and courageous hearts of others who understand. You'll be warmly welcomed, and you'll leave with friends, resources and a new sense of hope. You'll find this at every TAPS event.
FRIDAY, JULY 14
1 p.m. to 5 p.m. — Peer Mentor Training
TAPS will be holding a peer mentor training for adult survivors who are at least 18 months beyond their own loss and are ready to be there for others. You'll be able to sign up for peer mentor training during the registration process. To learn more about peer mentoring, visit the TAPS Peer Mentors page.
4 p.m. to 8 p.m. — Check-in and Dessert Sessions
SATURDAY, JULY 15
8 a.m. - 9 a.m. — Breakfast
9 a.m. - 10 a.m. — Opening Session
9 a.m. - 5 p.m. — Good Grief Camp
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. — Your choice of workshops and activities
6 p.m. - 8 p.m. — Family dinner and remembrance activities
SUNDAY, JULY 16
8 a.m. - 9 a.m. — Breakfast
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. — Your choice of workshops and activities
9 a.m. - 5 p.m. — Good Grief Camp
5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. — Family dinner and closing session
MONDAY, JULY 17
8 a.m. — Time to say our goodbyes and travel home
SEMINAR FEES
There are no registration fees for our regional seminars. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, TAPS is able to provide lodging, all meals, materials, activities and T-shirts at no cost to you. All you have to do is register, keep us updated on your plans, and know we're going to meet you wherever you are on your grief journey.
LODGING AND TRANSPORTATION
We are currently on a waitlist for lodging at the Sheraton Austin at the Capitol. Please email seminarregistrations@taps.org for any questions about lodging. Lodging is provided at the Sheraton Austin at the Capitol for all those attending on a first come, first served basis on Friday through Monday. TAPS covers the cost of lodging at no cost to you, and we will take care of booking your hotel room for the weekend.
Because we want you to be able to participate fully in the Sunday activities, you'll have the option to stay at the hotel on Sunday night. This will allow you time to unwind and enter your "regular life" feeling refreshed and renewed.
You'll need to cover the cost of your transportation to and from the seminar. We want to make it as easy as it can be to come spend time with your TAPS family, so please let us know if you need additional support for your transportation costs. We aren't able to offer airfare assistance, but we are able to offer gift cards for gas. If this is something that would help you attend, email seminarregistrations@taps.org to request a $50 gas gift card. If you need additional resources, call us at 800-959-TAPS (8277) to discuss if TAPS can help.
Email support@taps.org if you do not receive a confirmation email after registering.