National C.O.P.S. will again be holding their wonderful and helpful survivor retreats over the summer and early autumn. To get the latest updates, deadlines or brochures, visit www.nationalcops.org or call National C.O.P.S. 573-346-4911 or e-mail at cops@nationalcops.org. To get brochures for each retreat, visit: www.nationalcops.org/forms.htm

Here is the schedule of the retreats that are still open for registration:

Fiances/Significant Others Retreat
Fiances and Significant Others of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty will have the opportunity to meet other fiances / significant others who have also lost an officer. Grief seminar sessions, peer support, and outside activities are all on the agenda. A 'Significant Other' is a fiance, live-in partner, parent of a fallen officer's child who was not married to the officer, a life partner of a fallen officer, or someone who had a 'significant' role in their fallen officer's life. This retreat is GLBT-friendly and C.O.P.S. encourages anyone from the GLBT communities who fit the definitions above to attend. This is the second year for this retreat. It is NOT for family / blood relatives of the fallen officer since C.O.P.S. offers many seminars throughout the summer to support many other designations such as spouse, parents, siblings, etc.

The retreat will be held at the YMCA Trout Lodge in Potosi, Missouri, just 90 minutes outside of St. Louis. There you can address your grief issues and then unwind in the evenings with new-found friends.

Dates: August 22 - 25, 2008
Registration Deadline: July 22, 2008

Siblings Retreat
The first two Siblings Retreats were held in St. Louis in September, 2000 and 2001. Survivors spent the week-end discussing issues surrounding the line-of-duty death of their law enforcement officer sibling. For some, the death was as recent as a few months ago; for others, the death occurred as early as 1988. All, however, shared one common denominator and, guided by mental health professionals, attendees cried together and laughed together. The most common "complaint" was that the Retreat ended too soon. This yearly program is held at the YMCA facility in Potosi, Missouri.

Dates: September 19 - 22, 2008
Registration Deadline: August 19, 2008
Spouses Retreat
Surviving spouses can get away from the kids, the phone, the carpool, and the hectic activity of everyday life for a challenging weekend with LOTS of peer-support and self-esteem building fun activities. Spouses Getaway is held at the YMCA facility in Potosi, Missouri. Firearms safety, shotgun, archery, and horseback riding are among the activities.

Dates: September 26 - 29, 2008
Registration Deadline: August 26, 2008

In-Laws Retreat
C.O.P.S. held its first In-Laws Retreat in 2003 to assist the siblings and the parents of the surviving spouse. The pilot group of 28 survivors provided excellent feedback for future Retreats. Held in the fall at the YMCA facility in Potosi, Missouri, C.O.P.S.' annual In-Laws Retreat provides recreational activities, grief counseling, relaxation, and lots of old-fashioned fun. With mental health facilitators and a casual, relaxed atmosphere, surviving in-laws recognize that they are not alone in their grief.

Dates: October 17 - 20, 2008
Registration Deadline:September 17, 2008

Parents' Retreat
The trauma associated with burying one's child has its own unique set of problems. By sharing with others who have lost a son or daughter, surviving parents can receive the understanding they need to cope with their loss. Held in the fall, C.O.P.S.' annual Parents' Retreat provides recreational activities, grief counseling, relaxation, and lots of old-fashioned fun. With friendly competition, planned activities that encourage team building, and professional counseling, surviving parents recognize they are not alone in their grief. Professionals and peer-support facilitators encourage parents to communicate and work on resolving grief issues. Any surviving parent of a law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty according to Federal government criteria, both married couples and single parents, is encouraged to attend. This retreat will be held at the C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Dates: October 31 - November 3, 2008
Registration Deadline: October 1, 2008

Washington, D.C. Chapter, Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc.
Post Office Box 31549
Washington, D.C. 20030-1549
(202) 332-COPS   (202) 583-3505 fax

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