Georgia Family Camp

TAPS is honored to once again partner with Camp Southern Ground to host our 2025 Youth Programs Georgia Family Camp!

About Family Camps

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

• Families with children ages 5 years old and currently attending kindergarten through teenagers up to age 19 and still enrolled in high school.
• Children and teens must be grieving the death of a parent, stepparent, primary caregiver, or adult sibling who served in the United States Military.
• 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 (ages 5 and in kindergarten through age 19 and still enrolled in high school) living in the blended household, as Family Camps focus on communication, understanding, and support within the family unit.

Every family member attending this event, including parents, children, and teens, participate in all peer groups, family groups, and camp activities. Please note that TAPS is not able to provide child care on site and children younger than age 5 and not yet attending kindergarten are not able to register or attend this event.

Due to the programming content at our Family Camps, we encourage families to have attended a TAPS National or Regional Seminar and Good Grief Camp prior to applying for Family Camp.

SCHEDULE

Day 1 (Friday): Family check-in is from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Our first day is spent getting to know each other and learning what's in store for our time together. Dinner is provided.

Day 2 (Saturday): The day is filled with camp activities. Parents, children, and teens spend time with their peers, and we also come together as family units to participate in activities that  enhance communication and strengthen family connections. Through remembrance ceremonies, we honor and remember our fallen service members together.

Day 3 (Sunday): The fun continues with more camp activities, peer and family group bonding, and time of remembrance.

Day 4 (Monday): Camp activities take place all morning, then we wrap up our time together and say our goodbyes with our Closing Ceremony. Family check-out is at 11:00 a.m. Breakfast is provided.

CAMP FEES

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

LODGING

Lodging is provided for all participants at Camp Southern Ground in Fayetteville, Georgia from Friday evening through Monday morning at not cost to our families.

TRANSPORTATION

Families cover the cost of  transportation to and from Camp Southern Ground. The closest airport is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (approximately 35 minutes or 20 miles from Camp Southern Ground.

Please note that Camp Southern Ground 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 February 28, 2025 or until full (look for the blue button at the top of this page during this time). Due to the unique programming and detailed nature of this event, applications will be reviewed on a "first-come, first-served" basis, with priority given to families that have never attended a Family Camp.

Filling out and submitting this application does not guarantee your family will have a spot in this camp. A Youth Programs Staff Member will contact each family after reviewing their application to discuss the information provided. Those families not initially selected to attend this event will be placed on a waitlist and will be notified if a spot becomes available. 

If you have any questions or concerns about your application or this event, please email youthprograms@taps.org or call 800-959-TAPS (8277).