Frequently Asked Questions
Thank you for your interest in attending the 10th Annual TAPS National Military Suicide Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp. We hope the following will assist you as you prepare to join us.
- Who should attend?
- When does the event take place?
- Where is the event being held?
- How do I sign up to attend?
- What are the fees to attend?
- What is the recommended travel schedule?
- Will TAPS provide transportation to and from the airport?
- What should I pack?
- Do I have to select workshops prior to attending?
- Should my child attend Good Grief Camp? What activities are planned?
- Is child care offered?
- Is there an emergency contact number for TAPS?
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Survivors: If you are grieving the suicide loss of a loved one in the military, whether a family member, friend or fellow service member, you are invited and encouraged to attend the seminar. You will attend workshops and activities designed to help you cope with life after this loss, learning not how to "get over it," but how to get through it all. We'll have supportive discussions that will offer a chance to share with others who have also experienced suicide loss, helping us all learn that we are not alone.
Children: TAPS Good Grief Camp for children and teens provides a safe and supportive atmosphere to conduct activities and opportunities to learn coping skills, establish and identify support systems and create awareness that they are not alone in the grief of their loved one who died by suicide. Children and teens meet others of their own age group to share and learn together.
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WHEN DOES THE EVENT TAKE PLACE?
The National Military Suicide Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp will take place Friday, October 5, through Monday, October 8.
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WHERE IS THE EVENT BEING HELD?
All workshops and events take place at the Innisbrook Golf and Spa Resort at 36750 US Highway 19N in Palm Harbor, Florida. The closest airports are Tampa International Airport (TPA) and St. Pete–Clearwater Internaional (PIE). TAPS will provide free transportation from Tampa airport only.
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HOW DO I SIGN UP TO ATTEND?
Select the Register Now button to register for the adult seminar and Good Grief Camp. You will receive a confirmation email once you have submitted your registration.
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WHAT ARE THE FEES TO ATTEND?
The registration fee for the seminar is $125 per adult. This includes seminar events and activites, transportation to and from Tampa International airport, workshops, materials, a TAPS T-shirt and seven full meals. The fee for Good Grief Camp attendees (for surviving children ages 4-19) is $50 per child and includes materials, seven meals, and 2 TAPS T-shirts. In addition, the $50 fee covers licensed, insured child care Friday evening, all day Saturday and Sunday for our youngest survivors under 4 years old.
We understand that the costs associated with attending this seminar may prevent some from being able to join us, and we want to be sure everyone has access to this loving support. Scholarships are available if you are facing financial challenges. See the Fees and Scholarships page for more information about how to apply for a scholarship or call TAPS at 800-959-TAPS (8277).
Note: Registrants are responsible for making their own hotel reservations at the Innisbrook Golf and Spa Resort and paying for hotel rooms unless they have received a scholarship.
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WHAT IS THE RECOMMENDED TRAVEL SCHEDULE?
It is highly recommended that you book your travel to be in attendance for the entire seminar and Good Grief Camp. Check-in for both the seminar and Good Grief Camp will begin on Friday. The schedule for event check-in will be announced soon. Check back for more information.
Please note that it is imperative for children to attend the entire Good Grief Camp. Failure to do so lessens the cohesion in the group as the children start sharing and making connections early on in Good Grief Camp.
If you are flying in, please arrange your travels to arrive at the Tampa International Airport (TPA). We will have airport greeters who will guide you to a free airport shuttle that will take you to the Innisbrook Golf and Spa Resort.
If you are planning on driving to the event, complimentary parking is available.
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WILL TAPS PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT?
Ground transportation to and from the Tampa International Airport will be provided by TAPS for all attendees on Friday, October 5, and Monday, October 8. Transportation will also be provided on Thursday, October 4, for those who have been approved to attend peer mentor training.
Shuttle Schedule
Friday, October 5: Shuttles from the airport to the resort will run every hour from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Monday, October 8: Shuttles from the resort to the airport will run approximately every hour from 5:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Please arrange your flight arrivals/departures within the busing schedule if you would like to take advantage of the transportation provided by TAPS.
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WHAT SHOULD I PACK?
Most of our events, including workshops and activities, are casual. Hotel meeting rooms, despite our best efforts, can range in temperature, so you may wish to bring a light sweater for your own comfort.
Some events will be held outside during the day. Please bring appropriate outdoor clothing and comfortable walking shoes. Fall weather in Florida is still very summer-like, with daytime highs in the low to mid 80's and nighttime lows in the 70s. Please pack accordingly to enjoy all that the resort has to offer.
You may wish to bring a bathing suit if you would like to swim at the many hotel pools during the weekend. A camera can be helpful to document the highlights of the weekend.
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DO I HAVE TO SELECT WORKSHOPS PRIOR TO ATTENDING?
Workshop attendance is flexible; you may choose which sessions to attend at your leisure and if you get into a workshop and find it is not what you expected, you are welcome to slip out and join another workshop.
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SHOULD MY CHILDREN ATTEND GOOD GRIEF CAMP? WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE PLANNED?
The TAPS Good Grief Camp is a wonderful experience for children and step-children of all ages who have lost a parent/guardian or sibling who served in the Armed Forces. They will:
- Find comfort in knowing there are other children just like them
- Share as much or as little as they want
- Develop coping skills they can use after they've left the Good Grief Camp
- Discover they have a new group of friends their age who will be there for them and who understand
- Realize they are still a part of the military family as the Good Grief Camp mentors stand by ready to assist and be a "big brother/big sister"
Helpful information for parents whose children will be attending the Good Grief Camp:
4-year-olds MUST be potty-trained prior to attending the Good Grief Camp (we do understand occasional accidents).
Your child MUST know the cause of death was suicide.
As parent/guardian, you MUST accompany your child to the event and register to attend the seminar.
If your child's school requires an excused absence letter from TAPS, please email youthprograms@taps.org or call 800-959-TAPS (8277) with their name and the days they will miss school.
We will have specific hours for camp set on the agenda. Please make sure your child comes to his/her group on time, but not earlier than the start of camp, as this time is set aside for mentors and group leaders to meet to discuss the activities of the day. Please ensure your child is picked up promptly at the close of the sessions for the day.
Children can have cellphones as long as they are on silent (not vibrate). We understand that having them can be a source of comfort for both you and your child. However, we would discourage calls during group times. Please know that in an emergency, we have a discreet system for interrupting the group if necessary.
Your child will be given two TAPS T-shirts for the Good Grief Camp. Please have them wear it every morning as this helps us easily identify children within the TAPS group. Dress should be cool and comfortable. Shorts and tennis shoes are great since there will be a lot of activities and walking. They will also be given a TAPS backpack and a workbook. If your child has attended a Good Grief Camp before and you would like to bring their backpack or workbook from a previous camp, please feel free to do so!
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IS CHILD CARE OFFERED?
We have licensed, professional child care available for children 3 years old and under, as the Good Grief Camp supports children ages 4 to 19 years old. Care is provided Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday during the same times as Good Grief Camp. If you have questions about the child care offered, please call us at 800-959-8277 (TAPS).
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IS THERE AN EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBER FOR TAPS?
If you need to provide your family back home with an emergency contact number, you may provide them the direct TAPS numbers of 800-959-TAPS (8277) or 202-588-TAPS (8277).
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