COPS Hands-On
Programs
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, COPS' annual Parents' Retreat provides
recreational activities, grief counseling, relaxation, and lots
of old-fashioned fun. With friendly competition, planned
activities that encourage teambuilding, and professional
counseling, surviving parents recognize that 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. Contact the COPS National Office for more
information.
 The first annual Surviving Spouses
Weekend Getaway was held in 1998. 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.
The 1999 Getaway was held at Bennett Springs State Park near
Lebanon, MO. Attendees fished for trout, went horseback riding,
canoed, and had a wonderful experience.
Spouses Getaway is now held at the YMCA facility in Potosi, MO. Firearms safety,
shotgun, archery, and horseback
riding are among the activities.
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 is now a yearly program and is held at the YMCA
facility in Potosi, MO.
As with COPS' other hands-on programs, the only
cost to participants is their travel to and from St. Louis. COPS
provides lodging and meals, mental health professionals, and
group activities.
 In 2001 COPS is instituted an Adult Children Retreat for all surviving children
age 21 and over. This is an extended weekend in the same
format at the highly successful Parents' Retreat and Siblings
Retreat.
With friendly competition, planned activities that encourage
teambuilding, and professional counseling, surviving adult
children, no matter their age, will recognize that they are not
alone in their grief. Professionals and peer-support facilitators
will encourage survivors to communicate and work on resolving
grief issues. This is also held at the YMCA facility in Potosi, MO.
Any surviving adult child of a law enforcement
officer killed in the line of duty according to Federal
government criteria, married or single, young or not-so-young, is
encouraged to attend.
 COPS 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, COPS' 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.
|
