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.
Higher Ground – https://www.highergroundusa.org/veterans-first-responders Higher Ground provides over twenty week-long programs and numerous day programs to veterans and first responders nationwide each year. Higher Ground offers a six-day experience utilizing Recreational Therapy to promote the healing and growth of veterans or first responders and their partners/supporters.
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
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.
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.
Vail Veterans Program – https://www.vailveteransprogram.org/programs-and-events/ Since 2004, Vail Veterans Program has transformed the lives of military injured and their families through innovative programs that build confidence and life-long relationships. Programs range from the adventurous to the connective, including summer and winter therapeutic recreational programming, caregiver-specific wellness events, and empowerment training.
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.
