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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.
SEMINAR SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS
Please note: The times listed below are tentative and subject to change.
Thursday, May 23, 2019
All day
Information Desk, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Survivor Sanctuary, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Resource Village and TAPS Store Open, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Child Care, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Helpline # 800-959-8277, 24 hours
11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Family Check-In and Registration
5 - 9 p.m.
Good Grief Camp ZONE
5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Welcome Receptions
Friday, May 24, 2019
All day
Survivor Sanctuary, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Information Desk, 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Resource Village and TAPS Store Open, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Child Care, 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Artful Grief Studio, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
10 minute Chair Massages, 12 - 6 p.m.
One-on-One with Dr. Blankenship, 3 - 5 p.m.
Helpline # 800-959-8277, 24 hours
6:30 – 7:30 a.m.
Sunrise Strides: Run/Walk the National Capital Trail, *workout/comfortable clothing recommended
6:30 - 8 a.m.
Family Breakfast Buffet
7 – 7:45 a.m.
7 a.m. – 12 p.m.
8 - 8:30 a.m.
Good Grief Camp Drop Off
9 - 10 a.m.
Meet and Greet your Workshop Presenters
9 - 10 a.m.
Good Grief Camp Opening Ceremony
11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Seminar Opening Ceremony
12 - 1 p.m.
Buffet Lunch
12 - 4:45 p.m.
Peer Mentor Lunch and Classroom Training
1:15 - 2:45 p.m.
Adult Workshops and Sharing Groups
Women’s Empowerment Part 1
Continuing & Maintaining Bonds after a Death - Rebalancing and Relearning
Finding Peace One Piece at a Time
How to Grieve Like a Man, *for men only
Resilience After Loss - The Reflection Effect
Spouses Sharing Group
Spouses/Significant Others/Fiancés with Children Sharing Group
Suicide Loss Sharing Group
Online Survivor Benefits Report by Armed Forces Services Corporation-Magellan Federal
Young Adults - Expectations of Self
3 - 4:30 p.m.
Adult Workshops and Sharing Groups
Helpful Perspectives on Coping with the Pain of Grief
Surviving the Stressors of Caregiving and the Loss of a Loved One
Grief is a Journey
CPR for the Grieving Heart
Meditation for Coping with Difficult Emotions
In-Laws and Grandparents Sharing Group
Parents Sharing Group
Introduction to Yoga - Benefits for Grieving and Stress Reduction
3 - 4:30 p.m.
NBA Young Adults Panel
4:30 - 5 p.m.
Good Grief Camp Pick-up
5 - 6 p.m.
Family Dinner Buffet
5:15 - 5:30 p.m.
Young Adults and Legacy Mentor Tournament of Games
Dine together as peers and move outside to a tournament of lawn games, building connections and community.
6 - 10 p.m.
Family Tours Chosen at Registration
Washington Nationals Baseball Game, white wrist bands, buses depart 6 p.m.
Evening Parade at Marine Barracks, blue wrist bands, buses depart 6:30 p.m.
Bus Tour of the D.C. Memorial/Monuments, yellow wrist bands, buses depart 7 p.m.
9:15 - 10:15 p.m.
Knitters Gathering
12-Step Recovery Meeting
Saturday, May 25, 2019
All day
Information Desk, 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Shuttles to Arlington Cemetery, 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Child Care, 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Survivor Sanctuary, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Resource Village and TAPS Store Open, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
10 minute Chair Massages, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
One-on-One with Dr. Blankenship, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Artful Grief Studio, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Helpline # 800-959-8277, 24 hours
6:30 – 7:30 a.m.
Sunrise Strides: Run/Walk the National Capital Trail, *workout/comfortable clothing recommended
6:30 - 8 a.m.
Family Buffet Breakfast
Peer Mentor Gratitude Breakfast for all Peer Mentors
7 – 7:45 a.m.
8 - 8:15 a.m.
Good Grief Camp Drop-off
8 - 9 a.m.
Special Presentation, General Martin Dempsey
9:15 - 10:45 a.m.
Adult Workshops and Sharing Groups
Women’s Empowerment Part 2
Forget Me Nots
Holding on or Letting Go? Wisdom from the Dark Emotions
My Loved One Died in Combat. Is My Grief Different?
The 411 on Professional Grief and Trauma Counseling - Clinical Support and Helpful Interventions
Accident Loss Sharing Group
Adult Children Sharing Group
Significant Others & Fiancés Sharing Group
Making Your Intention - Jewelry Stamping
Young Adults - Divide the Pie
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Adult Workshops and Sharing Groups
The Transformation - Discovering Wholeness and Healing After Trauma
Freedom to Heal - Understanding and Managing Guilt, Remorse, Regret and Shame
Understanding Why People Die by Suicide
Your Grief Isn’t My Grief
Healing Heartbreak with Action Driven Remembering
Illness Loss Sharing Group
Combat Loss Sharing Group
Mask Making
Moving Yourself Forward
11:30 a.m.
Good Grief Camp Field Trips
Smithsonian
National Zoo
Martin Luther King Memorial
12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Adult Buffet Lunch
1:45 - 3:15 p.m.
Adult Workshops and Sharing Groups
Utilizing a Trauma Healing Diet
Covert - My Undercover Life and My Healing Journey
Finding the Right Words
Who Will I Be After the Loss and Grief?
Meditation to Fortify Your Physical and Mental Health
Surviving Suicide Loss Panel
Homicide Sharing Group
Moving Yourself Forward
3:30 - 5 p.m.
Adult Workshops and Sharing Groups
The Struggle is Real, Your Brain and Your Body “on Grief”
Siblings Sharing Group
Women Only Sharing Group
Men Only sharing Group
Helping Students - TAPS Education Support Services
5 - 9 p.m.
TAPS Good Grief Camp Jamboree
6 - 9 p.m.
TAPS Grand Banquet “Love Lives On”
9:30 - 10 p.m.
Good Grief Camp Pick-up
9:15 - 10:15 p.m.
Knitters Workshop
12-Step Recovery Meeting
Sunday, May 26, 2019
All day
Information Desk, 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Resource Village, by appointment only, 7 - 10 a.m.
Shuttles to Arlington Cemetery, 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Child Care, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Survivor Sanctuary, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
TAPS Store Open, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Artful Grief Studio, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
10 minute Chair Massages, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
One-on-One with Dr. Blankenship, by appointment only
Helpline # 800-959-8277, 24 hours
6:30 – 7:30 a.m.
Sunrise Strides: Run/Walk the National Capital Trail, *workout/comfortable clothing recommended
6:30 - 8 a.m.
Peer Mentor Breakfast for Peer Mentors attending Sunday Peer Mentor Training
6:30 - 8:30 a.m.
Family Buffet Breakfast
7 – 7:45 a.m.
8 - 8:30 a.m.
Good Grief Camp Drop-off
8 - 9 a.m.
Special Presentation, Ryan Weaver
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Peer Mentor Classroom Training
9:15 - 10:45 a.m.
Adult Workshops and Sharing Groups
Of Metaphors & Men *for men only
God Winks
Exploring Meaning Making in Your Grief Journey
Strengthening Relationships and Marriage After Traumatic Loss
LGBTQ Sharing Group
Crossing Thresholds and Living in the Borderlands - A Writing Workshop
Open to ALL Sharing Group
Young Adults - Healthy Boundaries
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Adult Workshops and Sharing Groups
Women’s Empowerment Part 3
Understanding Toxic Exposure Illnesses in the Military
Finding Invictus - Conversations on Kindness, Mental Resilience, and the Courage to Be Where You Are
Returning to Work After a Death
Rhythms of Grief
Substance Use Loss Sharing Group
Veterans Sharing Group
Married to or Dating a Survivor Sharing Group
How to Speak Up and Speak Out - Join TAPS in Advocating for Military Survivors
Young Adults - Get Linked
12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Adult Buffet Luncheon
1:45 - 3:15 p.m.
Adult Workshops and Sharing Groups
How Can My Grief Help Me Help Others
Covert - My Undercover Life and My Healing Journey
Grief Dreams
Dating and Intimacy After Loss
Who am I now?
Surviving Moms Sharing Group
Bringing TAPS Into Your Local Community
Surviving Dads Sharing Group
The Power of One, Building a Legacy
3:30 - 5 p.m.
Adult Workshops and Sharing Groups
Grief Dreams - Activity and Sharing Group
Supporting My School Aged Children Throughout the Grief Journey
Taking a Step to Become a Peer Mentor
Suicide Loss Sharing Group
Spouses Sharing Group
International Sharing Group
Young Adults - My Choice, My Gratitude
5 - 5:30 p.m.
Good Grief Camp Pick-up
5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
TAPS Graduation and Family BBQ
8 - 9 p.m.
Military Mentors TAPS Tribe
Monday, May 27, 2019
All day
Information Desk, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Survivor Sanctuary, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
TAPS Store Open, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Helpline # 800-959-8277, 24 hours
6:30 - 8:30 a.m.
Family Morning Snacks To Go for Arlington Cemetery
Last bus to return at 2:30 p.m.
11:30 - 4:30 p.m.
National Memorial Day Parade featuring TAPS Float
Parade Walk Starts at 2:00 p.m. *Red wristbands, Must be able to walk 20 city blocks to attend, buses return by 5 p.m.
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).
All tours are by registration and colored wrist band. Please see the help desk if you would like to change.
Friday, May 24, 2019
Washington, D.C. Monuments Night Tour - Yellow Wrist Bands
Experience the beauty of Washington, D.C. on a fully-narrated 2 ½ hour bus tour. Discover the grandeur of the U.S. capital after dark and visit dozens of historic landmarks. Learn fascinating stories from Washington’s history while admiring the city’s famous monuments, illuminated with the glow of the moon. Included in the tour is a stop at the USAA Poppy Wall. Busses will depart at 7:30 p.m and return to the hotel by 10:00 p.m.
Marine Corps Barracks Parade - Blue Wrist Bands
TAPS Families are invited to attend at the U.S. Marine Corps Evening Parade. Buses will depart at 7:00 p.m. for those attending and return to the hotel by 10:00 p.m. The ceremony at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., begins with a concert by the United States Marine Band. The Evening Parade has become a universal symbol of the professionalism, discipline, and Esprit de Corps of the United States Marines. The story of the ceremony reflects the story of Marines throughout the world.
Washington Nationals Baseball Game - White Wrist Bands
See the National Pastime in the Nation’s Capital! On May 25 the Washington Nationals will take on the Florida Marlins. The Nationals were the first baseball team to work with TAPS. They honor fallen heroes and their surviving families at games all season long. Busses will depart at 5:45 p.m.
Monday, May 27, 2019
National Memorial Day Parade * Must be able to Walk 20 City Blocks * - Red Wrist Bands
TAPS Families are invited to request attendance at the National Memorial Day Parade featuring TAPS Float. Buses will depart at 12:15 p.m for those attending and return to the hotel by 4:00 p.m. Be aware this opportunity will involve 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.
On Site Resources
TAPS Store
Browse our wide selection of new merchandise designed just for you. Whether you need a new water bottle, a warm jacket or just some much needed retail therapy, we've got you covered. Gear up, show your love, and support TAPS!
Resource Village
We have brought together the foremost experts in military benefits, advocacy, education resources, survivor services, entitlements, and veteran and military family affairs. Vendors and TAPS programs will also be making appointments.
Artful Grief Studio
Intended to be a safe, sacred, and quiet space for attendees to explore their grief in creative ways. The studio is curated and hosted by a skilled and compassionate art therapist and her team. Whether you are a curious novice, a seasoned artist who is struggling to utilize your talents again, or someone who just doesn’t know where to begin, the studio aims to provide opportunities to meet your ongoing needs throughout the weekend.