Mentors are required to complete and pass a background check and attend training required prior to being paired with a child at the event.
Each child will have his or her own mentor. The pair will work alongside other pairs in small groups led by trained and experienced group leaders. Activities, games and team building will be included.
Children from across the region are expected to be in attendance and will connect with others who have experienced similar losses. At the camp, children honor their loved ones, learn coping skills and find support systems.
All volunteers will be given a T-shirt to wear for the event, and meals will be provided at no cost.
TAPS is a non-profit organization that provides care and support to families and friends grieving the loss of a member of the armed forces.
According to the TAPS website, since 1994 the organization has provided comfort and hope 24/7 through a national peer support network and connection to grief programming and resources at no cost to surviving families. TAPS was founded on the principles of best practices in peer-based support for bereaved survivors. The organization has assisted more than 75,000 surviving families, casualty officers, and caregivers throughout the United States at various locations.
To volunteer as a military mentor, register at https://www.taps.org/militarymentor.
For more information, please email: mentors@taps.org, call 800-959-TAPS (8227) or contact Sharon Paz at 571-385-2565.
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