SIBLINGS
RETREAT
Next Event: SEPTEMBER 8 - 11TH, 2023
C.O.P.S. Siblings Retreat
C.O.P.S. Siblings Retreat is planned for surviving siblings and their spouse/domestic partner* (21 years or older) of law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty, as determined by C.O.P.S. criteria.
On occasion, surviving siblings have been referred to as the forgotten ones, due to putting their grief aside to help the surviving parents, spouses, and children of their fallen brother or sister. At C.O.P.S. Siblings Retreat, siblings will have the opportunity to express themselves with peers who know how they feel.
What to Expect
On occasion, surviving siblings have been referred to as the forgotten ones, due to putting their grief aside to help the surviving parents, spouses, and children of their fallen brother or sister. At C.O.P.S. Siblings Retreat, siblings will have the opportunity to express themselves with peers who know how they feel.
At the retreat, you will meet licensed mental health professionals who facilitate various sessions and offer optional one-on-one counseling that will address your needs and provide tools to support you in your everyday life. Along with these sessions, you will get the opportunity to participate in indoor and outdoor activities. In the past, siblings have conquered ropes courses, zip lines, and even relaxed in painting classes.
We hope that siblings leave the retreat realizing that they are not alone in their grief and struggles. It is our goal for you to leave the retreat feeling truly heard, supported, and with a tremendous sense of personal-growth.
Session Examples
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The Challenge of Family After the Loss of a Sibling
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Talking About the Hard Things
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Guilt and Regret - Confronting the “Shoulds”
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Criminal Justice System 101
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Where Did My Parents Go?
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How Much Grief Can a Relationship Manage?
If you are flying: you should plan to arrive at St. Louis Lambert Airport (STL) between 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Friday, September 8th. You will be met by a C.O.P.S. representative at the airport and transported to the YMCA Trout Lodge by bus. You will be transported back to the St. Louis Airport on Monday, September 11th, by 11:30 a.m. Please be sure your return flight is AFTER 12:30 p.m. to allow time for check-in and security checks.
If you are driving: You will need to arrive at the YMCA Trout Lodge between 3:00-5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 8, and stay through breakfast on Monday, September 11th. Meals and activities are planned; no late arrivals or early departures please.
Limited travel assistance may be available. Contact the C.O.P.S. National Office for additional information.