TAPS California Surviving Military Family Camp

Find comfort and support for your family while surrounded by the healing powers of nature.

About Family Camps

TAPS Family Camps allow your family to step away from the stresses of daily life, develop insight about your individual grief journey, and learn how to grieve as a family using new tools for the path ahead.

Family Camps provide a setting where families build communication, broaden understanding, and learn to support each. Children, teens, and adults meet in both peer groups and family groups and participate in traditional camp activities like zip lining, water activities, low ropes and high ropes challenges, nature walks, and campfire fun, all while creating special opportunities for family bonding.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Families with children ages 5 years old and attending kindergarten through teenagers under the age of 19 and enrolled in high school.
Children and teens grieving the death of a parent/primary caregiver or sibling who served in the United States Armed Forces.
Young Adult children up to age 25 may attend with their family if other children in the household meet the age and grade level criteria for eligibility.
Additional family members living in the same household who are not actively grieving are eligible to attend, including spouses, significant others, or other children living in the blended household, as Family Camps focus on communication, understanding, and support within the family unit.

SCHEDULE

Day 1: Our first day will be spent getting to know each other and learning what's in store for our time together.

Day 2: The second day is filled with camp activities like rope courses, nature walks, arts and crafts, and swimming. Parents and children will spend time with their peers, and we'll also come together as family units to participate in activities that will enhance communication and strengthen family connections. Through remembrance ceremonies, we'll honor and remember our fallen heroes together.

Day 3: The fun continues with more camp activities, group bonding and time of remembrance.

Day 4: After camp activities in the morning, we'll wrap up our time together and say our goodbyes.

CAMP FEES

No Cost, Great Benefit: Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, TAPS is able to provide lodging, all meals, materials, activities and T-shirts for all campers at no cost to you.

LODGING AND TRANSPORTATION

Lodging will be provided for all families and military mentors at Sierra Nevada Journeys Grizzley Creek Ranch in Portola from Friday through Monday, and TAPS will cover the cost of lodging.

You will need to cover the cost of your transportation to and from the camp facility. The closest airport is the Reno-Tahoe International Airport which is 1 hour from Sierra Nevada Journeys Grizzley Creek Ranch.

Please note that the camp does not have a shuttle and TAPS is not able to provide transportation to or from the airport to the camp facility.

APPLICATION DETAILS

Attendees will be selected through an application process. Application is open until July 7, 2024 or until full (look for the blue button at the top of this page during this time). Priority will be given to first time attendees. Applications will be reviewed within 10 business days and families will be contacted by a staff member with Youth Programs. 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 youthprograms@taps.org or call 800-959-TAPS (8277).