Therapies
- Retreats and Camps
Description:
Over the past 10 years, different organizations have begun offering “retreats” or “camps” to veterans and/or their families. Often, the retreats are offered at little or no cost and are intended to provide the veteran and/or family member an opportunity to experience a place and time specifically designated to them. Many of the retreats and camps have “themes” and many of those themes relate to experiencing connection with the natural world and others who have gone through the same experiences.
We are in the process of identifying retreats and camps and their host organization for veterans and families to explore. As with all wellness resources, it is a good idea to fully investigate the resource and to discuss it with your care team to determine the appropriateness of the event.
A Hero USA – aherousa.org AHERO connects Veterans through outdoor activities as a means to recover from their physical wounds and psychological trauma to reintegrate with American life. No Cost to Veterans. Tax deductible contributions are dedicated to AHERO programming and we operate on a 100% all-volunteer staff.
Camp Patriot www.CampPatriot.org Established in 2006, Camp Patriot is a 5-Star rated, 501c3 non-profit organization that has transformed the lives of hundreds of wounded and disabled veterans. This important task has been accomplished by fostering trusted relationships created through our unique outdoor programs. Each program is specifically designed to deliver a powerful “life transformation”. Click on “Activities and Events” to view current information about upcoming events.
Gratitude America http://www.gratitudeamerica.org/ Gratitude America Military Support Retreats are a breakthrough, NO COST, 4-day immersive and intensive experience designed to help combat veterans and their supporters make peace with their past so they can begin planning for their new mission at home
Hearts of Valor www.heartsofvalor.org Hearts of ValorTM seeks to honor the service and sacrifice of the women who care for our nation’s wounded, ill or injured warriors by providing a community of support based on a foundation of empathy and mutual understanding. Hearts of Valor is a network of people caring for wounded, ill or injured service members, created and maintained by Operation Homefront.
The Independence Fund – independencefund.org Founded in 2007, The Independence Fund is committed to empowering our nation’s catastrophically wounded, injured, or ill Veterans to overcome physical, mental, and emotional wounds incurred in the line of duty. They are dedicated to improving the lives of both our Veterans and their families. Through the Mobility, Caregiver, Adaptive Sports, Advocacy, and Family programs, The Independence Fund strives to bridge the gap of unmet needs for Veterans and their caregivers.
Lone Survivor Foundation http://www.lonesurvivorfoundation.org
Lone Survivor Foundation’s Post-Traumatic Growth Program is for service members (both active duty and veterans) from all military branches and service eras, along with their families, who are experiencing symptoms of the following as a result of combat: PTSD, mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Chronic Pain and Caregiver Stress. A formal diagnosis or service-connected disability through the VA is not required. LSF can provide relief, direction and hope to you and your family with a series of five-day Post-traumatic Growth Programs that take place in our facilities in Crystal Beach, TX and Fayetteville, NC. There is no cost to you for our programs or fro transportation to our facilities and we take care of your travel expenses. We use tools that are not typically offered by government programs to focus on relief from the symptoms of invisible wounds. At the end of your program, we will help you decide which tools work the best for you and we will help you make a plan for continued healing once you get home.
National Veterans Wellness and Healing Center www.veteranswellnessandhealing.org The natural setting of Angel Fire in the Sangre de Cristo mountains of New Mexico, is the perfect location to bring couples to a place where healing in nature is optimal. The Veteran couples experience Native American hand washing ceremony and storytelling of the warrior culture. These retreats are only possible with the help from our generous donors and grant funding.
No Barriers USA https://nobarriersusa.org/ No Barriers USA has programs and retreats for veterans AND caregivers. Select Focus Groups on the home page and then select the most appropriate group for a list of upcoming retreats to support veteran and caregiver wellness. Little or No Cost to the veteran/family.
Operation Heal our Patriots https://www.samaritanspurse.org/education-2/ohop-application/ Operation Heal Our Patriots gives wounded veterans and their spouses the opportunity for spiritual refreshment, physical renewal, and marriage enrichment. Couples participate in Biblically based seminars that help strengthen their relationships with God and others and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation with outdoor activities at our Alaskan wilderness lodge.
Operation Restored Warrior www.operationrestoredwarrior.org Operation Restored Warrior Our mission is to raise up these wounded warriors to speak, share, and move with courage and certainty in order that those held captive to their life experiences may be released.
Project Sanctuary https://projectsanctuary.us/ All military/veteran families who contact Project Sanctuary, or who are referred to them, are first assessed to determine if they need support and services now (i.e., immediate help) or if they may be scheduled for a retreat. Both options are geared toward reconnecting the families to each other and to their communities. All services provided are intended to help the families thrive today and into the future. All of our services are provided free of charge to participating military families.
Semper Fi Fund semperfifund.org offers retreats for couples, parents, etc. They have expanded to all branches of the service.
Travis Mills Foundation travismillsfoundation.org Post 9/11 veterans who have been injured in active duty or as a result of their service to our nation receive an all-inclusive, all-expenses paid, barrier-free vacation in Maine where they participate in adaptive activities, bond with other veteran families, and enjoy much-needed rest and relaxation in Maine’s outdoors.
Note: VFU provides this comprehensive view of healing techniques for your convenience, but does not endorse nor recommend any specific technique. VFU does not guarantee results or outcomes from any of the materials listed on this website.
