"C.O.P.S. Kids/Teens" Programs and Summer Activities
National Police Week Activities
At the National Police Survivors' Conference each May during National Police Week, children who have lost a parent to a line-of-duty death can participate in special activities. For many kids, this is the first time they have made contact with peers - other kids who have gone through the same thing they have - the loss of a parent to line-of-duty death. A dedicated staff of professionals and volunteers assess the children's emotional well-being, listen and guide them through any issues they wish to talk about, while participating in a variety of fun activities. Results of the emotional assessments are provided to parents after Police Week so that, if needed, additional counseling can be obtained at home.
C.O.P.S. thanks the Alexander M. and June L. Maisin Foundation for being a major sponsor for C.O.P.S. Kids/Teen Programs\ during the 2009 National Police Week.
Summer Camp
When a child participating in the May "C.O.P.S. Kids" Program made this statement to a counselor, C.O.P.S.' belief that children cannot heal if their surviving parent doesn't heal was reinforced. C.O.P.S.' Summer Camp provides surviving spouses with children (ages 6-14) the opportunity to work with professional counselors and trained mentors to improve communications within the family unit and resolve grief issues together.
Organized camp activities are supplemented with counseling during the week-long camp. Friendly competition, planned activities that encourage teambuilding, and shared fun times in a camp atmosphere help families recognize that the teamwork approach will help them cope with their grief.
Wilderness Experience
Instituted in 1998, C.O.P.S. Annual Wilderness Experience helps surviving older children (aged 15-20) build self-esteem with a group of peers who understand what it is like to lose a law enforcement parent to a line-of-duty death. This annual activity might be mountain climbing in the Rockies in Colorado, or white-water rafting in Utah. This event is an Outward Bound® Program.
Registration Forms
“C.O.P.S. Kids/Teens” Camp 2009 - July 27 - August 2, 2009 - East Troy WI: REGISTRATION IS FULL. Contact the C.O.PS. National Office for more information.
C.O.P.S. Outward Bound® Adventure 2009 - July 26 - August 2, 2009 - Grand Junction, Colorado: REGISTRATION IS FULL.
If you plan to attend C.O.P.S. Adult Children’s Retreat, Outward Bound® Adventure, “C.O.P.S. Kids” Camp, Spouses Retreat, Siblings Retreat, Parents’ Retreat, In-Laws Retreat, or Fiancés/Significant Others/Life Partners Retreat you may apply for one of the two Streamlight Travel Awards that are available for each of these programs.