2017 CAMP RESILIENCE SESSIONS
Fall Retreat: November 13-16, 2017
For our final retreat of 2017, we ran a Camp Resilience session focused on PTSD and Moral Injury. The veterans learned about the neurobiology of PTSD, ways to face moral injury, oral health and mindfulness, and how to accept and move toward his or her values. In addition to the workshops, the veterans worked in teams to solve challenges presented at the Escape Hour House, hiked along the WOW Trail, and participated in a team building challenge and rappelling down a building at the NH Fire Academy.
Equine Assisted Learning & Service Retreat: October 20-22, 2017
We ran another Equine Assisted Learning and Service Activities retreat at the Live and Let Live Farm in Chichester, NH. Participants spent the weekend helping rescued horses reintegrate and heal from prior neglect and abuse, and assisting with farm upkeep. Service activities and working with rescue horses fostered resiliency leading to growth and well-being for both humans and horses. It was an experiential program designed to bring about change for humans and horses through practicing communication, leadership, authenticity and relational skills. Lunches and dinners were provided at the farm and cooked by Patient Rage Outdoor Cooking.
Fall Retreat: October 2-5, 2017
We ran another Camp Resilience session in October. This session included workshops focused on wellness, resiliency and proactive living, all of which are designed to give veterans a variety of tools they can use to make their lives better. Workshops covered topics such as goal setting, relaxation techniques, improving relationships, healthy eating and financial management.
In addition to workshops, the retreat also included kayaking on the Merrymeeting River, hiking at Locke’s Hill, the Aerial Treetop Adventures course at Gunstock Mountain resort, yoga, and water aerobics.
In addition to workshops, the retreat also included kayaking on the Merrymeeting River, hiking at Locke’s Hill, the Aerial Treetop Adventures course at Gunstock Mountain resort, yoga, and water aerobics.
Fall Retreat: September 11-14, 2017
We ran a retreat designed to help veterans with Military Sexual Trauma (MST) build resilience by learning to understand and strengthen interpersonal boundaries and relationships. Activities included art therapy, movement therapy, outdoor/indoor challenge learning and group discussions. In addition to workshops on how to better deal with MST, the retreat included sailing, hiking, the Aerial Treetop Adventures course at Gunstock Mountain resort, yoga, and water aerobics.
Spouses & Caregivers Retreat: July 10-13, 2017
We ran a special retreat for the spouses and caretakers of veterans with PTSD. Workshops focused on how to better deal with veterans struggling with issues due to their military service. The retreat also included sports activities like hiking, kayaking, the Aerial Treetop Adventures course at Gunstock Mountain resort, yoga, and water aerobics.
Couples Retreat: June 5-8,2017
The Patriot Resilient Leader Institute (PRLI) ran a special Camp Resilience session for couples. The sports activities included sailing on Lake Winnipesaukee, hiking, yoga, water aerobics and the Aerial Treetop Adventures at Gunstock Mountain. Other activities focused on communication, teamwork, and other relationship skills, caregiver survival skills, resolving conflicts, restoring balance, and increasing the resilience in the couples attending. Emphasis throughout the retreat was placed on reducing the effects of PTSD, TBI, and other injuries on the couple’s relationship functioning.
Spring Retreat: May 9-12, 2017
We ran a special Camp Resilience session from Tuesday May 9th through Friday May 12th. This retreat was designed to help veterans with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and focused on anger management and relaxation techniques (which can also be helpful for veterans without PTSD). It also included a day of exciting and challenging team-building activities at the New Hampshire Fire Academy that involved rappelling and rope rescues from burning buildings. The sports activities included kayaking, hiking, yoga and “Conditioning for Fun and Health”. In addition to the workshops on anger management and relaxation there were also workshops on resiliency.
Equine & Service Learning Retreat: April 7-9, 2017
We ran our Equine and Service Learning Retreat at the Live and Let Live Farm in Chichester, NH from Friday, April 7th through Sunday, April 9th. The session gave the participants a chance to work with horses and, through this work, learn to better deal with issues like reintegration, anxiety, depression and PTSD. The veterans also had an opportunity to participate in service learning where they not only had a chance to help the Live and Let Live Farm but also learned how giving back can be healing and therapeutic.
Women's Retreat: March 7-10, 2017
We ran our third Camp Resilience Retreat for women veterans only from Tuesday, March 7th through Friday, March 10th. The session was led and facilitated completely by women. The sports activities included hiking (not enough snow on the ground to snowshoe), climbing on an indoor climbing wall at Evo Rock & Fitness in Concord, NH (due to bad weather), downhill skiing, yoga and water aerobics. There were also workshops Writing/Journaling to cope with PTSD and Life Stressors, Whole Health Action Management (WHAM), Mindful Eating/Healthy Cooking, Emotional Freedom Techniques and Goal Setting.
Winter Retreat: February 7-10, 2017
We ran another winter retreat from Tuesday, February 7th through Friday, February 10th. The sports activities included showshoeing, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, yoga and water aerobics. There were also workshops on “Vision – Define the Life You’d Love”, Goals Development, Financial Management, “Food and Drink- Nourishing and Fueling” and “Relaxing and Healing – The Power of the Mind”.
Winter Retreat: January 10-13, 2017
We ran a winter retreat from Tuesday, January 10th through Friday, January 13th. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate on Thursday so instead of going downhill skiing, we did an indoor obstacle course which was a lot of fun and very challenging. The other sports activities included showshoeing, cross-country skiing, yoga and water aerobics. There were also workshops on mindful eating & healthy cooking, Understanding and Managing PTSD, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, the Resiliency Mindset and Sleep Issues.
