Four Conferences This Summer

Four conferences are available for bereaved parents this summer: TAPS, Compassionate Friends, Bereaved Parents USA and POMC.

May 27-30, 2011 TAPS
This is the 17th Annual National Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, VA. Anyone who has lost a loved one in the military can benefit from this seminar. For the children they also hold a Good Grief Camp during this time, so that the entire family can receive help. Visit http://www.taps.org/ for details and to register or call 1-800-9598277, even though the main deadline of May 1 has passed. I'm sure they will let you attend if you ask.

July 15-17, 2011 Compassionaete Friends National Conference is in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the Sheraton Bloomington Hotel this year. Reservations must be made by June 21 and are subject to availability. King or doubles are $129; $139 for triples and $149 for quads. There is a free shuttle to and from the hotel and airport in addition to the Mall of America during the conference along with free parking. There are over 100 workshops to choose from including childless workshops and workshops for those who are newly bereaved and seasoned grievers. Other workshops are for siblings and also grandparents. Keynote speakers and sharing sessions are also included. Usually around 1,500 people attend. Additional information is at http://www.compassionatefriends.org/

July 29-31, 2011 is the Bereaved Parents USA Gathering at the Sheraton Reston Hotel in Reston, VA. Hotel rates are $99 for one to four people. Make reservations by June 26. Call 1-703-620-9000. A free shuttle between the hotel and airport is provided and parking is free for those with cars. BPUSA is a smaller conference but tries to have lots of workshops as Compassionate Friends does. Some of the keynote speakers will include Darcie Sims, Mitch Carmody and  Drs. Gloria and Heidi Horsley. Additional information is at http://www.bereavedparents.org/ .

August 4-7, 2011 is the POMC 25th National Conference at the wyndham Airport Hotel in Milwaukee, WI. Call 1-414-481-8000. Rooms are $111. Register before July 6. POMC stands for Parents of Murdered Children and is a large national organization dedicated to those specific bereaved parents. Check the website at http://www.milwpomcsupport.com/ for more information.

I would encourage you to try to attend one of these. It is amazing how much you can get out of them in addition to making contact with other bereaved parents who understand what you are going through.