2024 HITW Veteran Bear Retreat Recap!

For those of you who may be unfamiliar with the early beginnings and mission of House in the Woods military and family retreat we’ll take you back to the beginning for a moment to help you understand the WHY behind our mission.

House in the Woods military and family retreat was founded by Paul and Dee House in 2010 following the loss of their son Sgt. Joel A. House, who was killed in Iraq by a roadside bomb in 2007. The vision for the organization came after attending a memorial service at Fort Hood, Texas, where they found comfort in connecting with other grieving military families. Their goal was to create a program utilizing Maine’s natural resources to bring together military families to support one another.

House in the Woods is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit offering outdoor programs for active military members, veterans, and their families. These programs provide opportunities to bond, relax, and process emotions like grief and stress. Activities include canoeing, kayaking, hiking, hunting, fishing, and other nature-based experiences. Participants can share memories, laughter, and pride while facing outdoor challenges together, strengthening their connections and healing in the process.

One of these such retreat opportunities offered is our annual Veteran Bear Retreat, which consists of 2 weeks of bear hunting and more importantly camaraderie with their fellow military brothers and sisters. Each of these weeks we invite approximately 18 servicemen and women to stay at House in the Woods, each for a full week straight. Attendees of the first week will arrive on the last Saturday of August and stay through the following Saturday. During that time they will spend time with the world’s best volunteers who not only feed and guide them, but share in a week long retreat experience that we hope will create memories that will last a lifetime.

A typical day during the House in the Woods bear retreat begins with a made-to-order breakfast from 7-9, prepared by our volunteer chef and staff, followed by optional activities. Attendees can choose from clay shooting, sighting guns at the shooting range, trail riding on E-bikes, fishing with volunteer guides, relaxing, or visiting Lincoln’s Whitney’s Outfitters for supplies, the most popular this year was a Thermacell to combat mosquitos! The retreat also includes visits to the "Our Heroes" military museum, where attendees are warmly welcomed by local veterans.

We love to suggest our attendees bring stretchy pants because along with the best volunteers you can find we have world class bakers in the area that just love to make homemade goodies for our guests. If the adage “food is love” is true, then you can rest assured that these attendees are loved beyond words. The baked goods table is always full and ready for a little snack whenever they are, day or night.

During this weeklong retreat, spending meals, activities, and lots of time by the fire, attendees aren’t simply getting the experience of a Maine bear hunt. They are spending time with their military brothers and sisters that understand them best. Many Veterans don’t feel comfortable sharing their military experiences with their spouse or their family, so here they can feel safe that not only will their new friends understand where they are coming from, but they will likely share similar feelings and experiences, allowing people to open up which is part of the healing process for so many.

As a result of their time away from home, for some rest, relaxation in the woods, and new-found friendships, many families have reached out to us after their loved one has attended a retreat to say that they saw a noticeable change in their Veteran, and they were so grateful for the opportunity, and the ways in which the improved mental state of their loved one, had a lasting impact on their home as a whole.

Attendees aren’t the only ones who found unexpected and lasting joy from the bear retreat. Many volunteers who take part in activities here at House in the Woods reveal to us that they find just being a part of the activities happening, or finding their special way to use their talents and Give Back to our military heroes, they themselves find peace, relief and healing in their own lives from involvements, learning from Veterans, and feeling a sense of fulfillment from being involved.. It’s not just the Veterans who are experiencing healing and camaraderie here so please reach out if you’re interested in getting involved. We welcome you with open arms!

Be sure to check out our House in the Woods YouTube page for attendee testimonials.

There were several attendees from this year’s retreat who were going through particularly difficult situations in their personal lives, from divorce, loss of a loved one, battling PTSD, and depression. Timing is everything sometimes and when these Veterans needed people who care, and needed to feel that their lives really matter, the other attendees and our volunteers stepped up to the challenge and made sure that not only did these individuals know they matter, but that we are going to continue to support them even after this retreat is over. Once you come to House in the Woods you are part of our family.

Please spread the word to servicemen and women that you know. All military personnel are welcome to apply – All Branches, All Eras, All States, Retired, Veterans, Active Duty and Gold Star Families.

Interested in volunteering or donating? Please visit our website at houseinthewoods.org or contact us by phone or email for more information.

We look forward to welcoming you to your HOME AWAY FROM HOME right here in Lee, Maine.

Angie Gade

Development & Social Media Coordinator

House in the Woods Military & Family Retreat

Angie.gade@houseinthewoods.org 920-517-6749