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. Here is the schedule of the remaining retreats for 2009:
Fiances/Significant Others Retreat
Fiances and Significant Others of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty (as determined by Federal criteria) will have the opportunity to meet other fiances/significant others who have also lost an officer to a line-of-duty death. 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 NOT for family relatives of the fallen officer.
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 28 - 31, 2009 (Registration Deadline: July 28, 2009)
View brochure and register online through National C.O.P.S.
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.
With activities that encourage teambuilding, and professional counseling, siblings and their spouses will recognize that they are not alone in their grief. You will leave the retreat feeling relaxed, with a tremendous sense of personal growth and self-awareness. This yearly program is held at the YMCA facility in Potosi, Missouri.
Dates: September 11 - 14, 2009 (Registration Deadline: August 11, 2009)
View brochure and register online through National C.O.P.S.
Spouses Retreat
Surviving lawful spouses of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty (as determined by Federal criteria) can unwind and let their hair down with other spouses who have also lost a loved one to line-of-duty death. They can attend grief seminar sessions, get support from peers, and also have a great time in a beautiful setting that is removed from the stresses of everyday life.
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: September 18 - 21, 2009 (Registration Deadline: August 18, 2009)
View brochure and register online through National C.O.P.S.
In-Laws Retreat
This retreat is planned for relatives of the surviving spouse of fallen officers, which includes the surviving mother-in-law, father-in-law, sister-in-law, and brother-in-law of the law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty, as determined by Federal criteria. Married couples as well as individuals are encouraged to attend. 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 16 - 19, 2009 (Registration Deadline: September 16, 2009)
View brochure and register online through National C.O.P.S.
Parents Retreat
This retreat is for any surviving parent of a law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty as determined by Federal criteria. Lawfully married couples as well as single parents are encouraged to attend.
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 30 - November 2, 2009 (Registration Deadline: September 30, 2009)
View brochure and register online through National C.O.P.S.
Washington, D.C. Chapter, Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc.
P.O. Box 31549
Washington, DC 20030
(202) 332-COPS
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