The opportunities for disabled Veterans, First Responders, their families, and Gold Star families at Camp Freedom are endless. Camp Freedom’s guests experience the outdoors in a safe and protected manner while giving them exposure to the life-healing benefits of outdoor activities with people who care deeply about them and their journey. Saints Logistics, Inc. wholeheartedly supports the mission of
Transitioning from military life to civilian life was one of the most challenging experiences of my life. After years of living in a highly structured, adrenaline-filled environment, I found myself struggling to adjust to the slower pace of the civilian world. The camaraderie and sense of purpose that had come with military service were suddenly gone, leaving me feeling unmoored. The mental weight of my experiences overseas stayed with me—my mind was constantly racing, and I battled with anxiety, nightmares, and moments of overwhelming tension. While I had family and friends who supported me, there was an inner battle that I couldn't explain, let alone win. PTSD crept into my daily routine, making even simple tasks seem insurmountable at times.
It was around this time that I rediscovered hunting, an activity I had dabbled in during my youth. There was something about the stillness of the woods that brought me a sense of calm. Unlike the battlefield, the forest was quiet but not in a way that felt threatening. The hours spent in nature, where I had to be patient and present, became therapeutic. The focus required to track game kept my mind from spiraling, and the physical challenge of hiking through rough terrain offered me a release for the pent-up energy and tension I had been carrying. Hunting forced me to slow down, to breathe, and to observe, all of which helped to reduce the mental chaos I had been experiencing since leaving the military.
As I embraced hunting more fully, I noticed that the calm it brought me began to spill over into other areas of my life. At home, I was more present with my family. The irritability and outbursts that had once strained my relationships became less frequent, and I was able to communicate more openly about what I was going through. My wife, who had been trying to understand my internal struggles, noticed the shift and supported me in making time for these outdoor activities. Hunting became more than just a hobby—it became a key tool in managing my mental health, allowing me to regain control over aspects of my life that PTSD had once dominated.
Professionally, the benefits were also significant. I began to approach my work with a clearer head and a renewed sense of purpose. The patience I cultivated in the woods translated into better decision-making and problem-solving in the office. My ability to handle stress improved, which in turn positively impacted my performance and relationships with colleagues. While the transition from combat to civilian life was far from easy, I found that the combination of time in nature, a renewed connection to a lifelong passion, and the support of my loved ones has made all the difference in my ongoing recovery and adjustment.
Camp Freedom is more than a hunt, fishing trip, or hike on our pristine 2,350 acres. It is an opportunity for those who are seeking continued healing in their life’s journey to find spiritual, physical, and mental peace that can only be found in the outdoors. We provide high quality outdoor adventures to our American Heroes combining each activity with peer-to-peer interaction and camaraderie. This combination helps our guests to find a new purpose, mission, and hope once again.
