Frequently Asked Questions
Thank you for your interest in attending the 15th 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 in-person?
- How do I sign up to attend online from home?
- 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. 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 begin on Friday, November 14 with a family buffet dinner and will end in a TAPS family dinner on Sunday, November 16. To take advantage of all the Seminar has to offer, we recommend that you plan your travel so you can arrive by 5 p.m. on Friday, and depart no earlier than 7 p.m. on Sunday, or on Monday morning as most attendees do.
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WHERE IS THE EVENT BEING HELD?
All workshops and events take place at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in Scottsdale, Arizona. The closest large airport is the Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX).
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HOW DO I SIGN UP TO ATTEND IN-PERSON?
Please select the in-person registration button (blue button at the top of this page) to submit your registration to attend the adult seminar and Good Grief Camp. A confirmation email will be sent once we receive your registration form. Please allow yourself at least 60 minutes to complete the form.
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HOW DO I SIGN UP TO ATTEND ONLINE FROM HOME?
Please select the online workshop registration button (blue button at the top of this page) to submit your registration to attend the live workshops online from your home. A confirmation email will be sent once we receive your registration form.
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WHAT ARE THE FEES TO ATTEND?
There are no registration fees to attend the seminar. Participants cover the costs for lodging and transportation to/from the event. If flying into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), the hotel offers a free shuttle service.
Note: A limited number of donated flights are available for first and second time attendees unable to cover transportation costs to attend the seminar. See the Donated Airfare page for more information about how to apply or call TAPS at 800-959-TAPS (8277). See also the lodging section for hotel rates and reservation information.
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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 afternoon. Most attendees plan to depart on Monday morning so they can take advantage of all the Seminar has to offer.
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 Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). We will have airport greeters who will guide you to a free hotel shuttle that will take you to the Embassy Suites by Hilton hotel.
If you are planning on driving to the event, there is ample complimentary parking available.
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WILL TAPS PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT?
The Embassy Suites by Hilton hotel, approximately 20 minutes' drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor International airport, does NOT provide a complimentary airport shuttle to/from the airport. TAPS will provide some shuttle services, those registered will receive more information regarding times and pickup location closer to the start date of the seminar.
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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. November weather in Scottsdale is moderately warm, with daytime highs in the 70s and nighttime lows in the 50s. 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 hotel pool 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 choose a workshop and find it is not what you expected, please feel free 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 of all ages. 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:
5-year-olds MUST be potty-trained prior to attending the Good Grief Camp (we do understand occasional accidents).
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?
Good Grief Camp supports children ages 5 to 19, we have professional childcare available for children who are not yet school age or are under 10 and not eligible for Good Grief Camp. Care is provided Thursday evening through Sunday. Most meals will be served in the childcare rooms. If you have questions about the child care offered, please call us at 800-959-TAPS (8277) or email childcare@taps.org.
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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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