Montana Men's Retreat
September 13 - 17, 2015
All surviving men grieving the loss of a loved one who served in the Armed Forces are invited to join TAPS for the Montana Men's Retreat.
The grief journey can take us into the wilderness, feeling lost and left to walk alone. But when we find that others share this journey, the wilderness also can bring a safe space to grow and connect. This September, find a healing space in Big Sky Country with other men who understand your loss. Through activities like fly fishing and horseback riding, you’ll foster a brotherhood as you celebrate the life and legacy of your loved one. Explore some of America’s most beautiful country while you also explore your personal grief journey and find healing.
SCHEDULE
Day 1: The first day is set aside as a travel day. Once you arrive in West Yellowstone, TAPS staff will be there to greet you and get you checked in. Then, the day is yours to get settled in, meet fellow survivors, explore the area and relax.
Day 2: We’ll start the day with breakfast and an opening ceremony, giving us the opportunity to introduce ourselves and our loved ones. You’ll get an overview of what to expect at the retreat, and you'll have a chance to ask questions. The rest of our day will be spent at our group activities, and we’ll wrap up with a group dinner in the evening.
Day 3: The third day will include more group activities, such as fishing and a trail ride, as well as some free time to relax and further connect with the other attendees.
Day 4: On our final day of activities, we'll venture into Yellowstone National Park for a day of exploring. Then, we'll wrap up our time together with a closing ceremony to honor ourselves, our new connections and our journeys.
Day 5: We'll say our final goodbyes and travel home.
RETREAT FEES
Thanks to the generosity of our donors and sponsors, TAPS will provide lodging, most meals and all activities at no cost to you. A $50 deposit will be collected at the time of registration. At the conclusion of the retreat, you may choose to donate this deposit to TAPS to support future programs; otherwise, it will be fully refunded to attendees.
LODGING AND TRANSPORTATION
Lodging will be provided for all attendees from Wednesday to Sunday. You will share a room with another retreat attendee. TAPS covers the cost of lodging at no cost to you, and we'll take care of booking your lodging for the retreat.
You'll need to cover the cost of your transportation to and from West Yellowstone. The closest airport is the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN). Please DO NOT book your flight until you receive a welcome email after registering.
ADVENTURE LEVEL
This retreat is rated as a light-intensity adventure. We'll be active throughout the retreat and will challenge you, however activities will involve light physical exertion. Much of our time will be spent outdoors enjoying the Montana scenery. There will also be time to relax and connect with one another.
REGISTRATION DETAILS
Registration is conducted on a first come, first served basis; a waitlist will form once registration has reached capacity. Please keep in mind that we hold a number of spots on each event for first-time attendees, so do not be discouraged if you are sent to the waitlist. You'll receive an email if a spot becomes available for you.
We ask that survivors register for one retreat or expedition every 12 months. Once registration has been open for 24 hours, those who have attended a retreat or expedition in the past 12 months may register. If you have previously attended a retreat in this location, we ask that you also wait 24 hours after registration has opened to allow the opportunity for first-time retreat attendees to register.
Upon registration, you'll receive a confirmation email. Please email support@taps.org and retreats@taps.org if you DO NOT receive a confirmation email after registering. Within 48 hours, you'll receive a welcome email from TAPS Retreats staff that includes information about accommodations, flights, etc. Please do NOT book your flight until you receive the welcome email.
If this is your first time connecting with TAPS, we welcome you to the TAPS family. Before receiving your welcome email, you can expect to hear from a member of our Survivor Care Team, who will answer any questions you may have about programs.
If you have any questions, please email retreats@taps.org or call 800-959-TAPS (8277).