When a police officer is killed in the line of duty, he or she leaves behind family members and coworkers who must cope with the tragic loss. Sometimes, the ones left behind are children.
It is difficult for anyone to process grief and sudden loss, but its particularly hard for children to express and work through the emotions they are feeling. That’s where organizations like Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) come in.
At C.O.P.S. Arizona, we are committed to supporting survivors of line of duty deaths within our state. One of the programs we offer to survivors each year on a national level is C.O.P.S. Kids Camp. Here is everything to know about the C.O.P.S. Kids Camp experience, from how to sign up to what kids can expect.
What is C.O.P.S. Kids Camp?
C.O.P.S. Kids Camp is planned for surviving children of law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty. Its available for ages 6 – 14, and a parent or guardian must accompany children from each family. It allows grieving families to connect with each other in a relaxed setting, removed from everyday life.
What activities will kids do at camp?
Young children who lose a parent do not always have a safe, comfortable place to share their struggles with their peers. C.O.P.S. Kids Camp offers them that opportunity through age-appropriate grief counseling sessions with licensed mental health professionals. These sessions are designed to equip families with tools they can use at home in the future as they work through emotions and struggles.
Kids also get the chance to participate in fun outdoor adventures and classic summer camp activities. These include:
– Swimming
– Fishing
– Arts and Crafts
– Canoeing
– Rope Courses
– Archery
– Shooting Sports
– Campfire Skits
How can I sign up my family for C.O.P.S. Kids Camp?
You can register for the annual kids camp on the national C.O.P.S. website here.
How do I get to C.O.P.S. Kids Camp?
As of 2021, C.O.P.S. Kids Camp takes place at the Salvation Army Wonderland Camp in Salem, WI. You can take a road trip there, or fly into the Milwaukee General Mitchell Airport (MKE). A shuttle bus provided by C.O.P.S. will take you to and from the airport.
When is C.O.P.S. Kids Camp?
C.O.P.S. Kids Camp 2021 took place July 10 – 16. Stay tuned for more details from C.O.P.S. National about the dates for the upcoming kids camp in 2022.
C. O. P. S. Arizona is dedicated to rebuilding shattered lives of survivors and co-workers affected by line of duty deaths. We offer programs and scholarships for survivors in our local Arizona chapter. For more information, visit https://www.copsarizona.org/.
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