Search Results

Outdoor retreats offered at no cost for veterans, provide a great opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and reconnect with nature and other veterans like themselves, in a way unlike any other, for healing and camaraderie. These retreats are made possible thanks in a large part to our volunteers, donors, and sponsors. Those we lovingly know as the House in the Woods “family” because everyone involved knows the sacrifices these men and women make, and we make it our life mission to show our appreciation and Give Back. There are so many ways in which the community can give back to our veterans. Perhaps you’re good with people and just love spreading the word about retreats available for veterans, maybe you love to cook for people, cleaning, crafting, fundraise, etc. while others are more interested in sharing the tools they have such as helping with land and lodge upkeep, carpentry work, or resources such as the use of the land itself. Resources are all around us, it’s just connecting the dots from the individuals that desire to help to the needs for those gifts. A few keys to a great retreat experience for our veterans are connection with fellow military brothers and sisters, clean and comfortable sleeping arrangements, good food, and a peaceful rejuvenating experience in the beauty of the Maine woods. Our lodge in Lee, Maine provides all of the necessities and so much more. If you haven’t stopped by yet you must visit us soon. We are located on Skunk Hill Road in Lee, Maine. Swing in and say hello. We love visitors and the opportunity to show you around. House in the Woods is always looking to make new connections with landowners in the Lee, Lincoln, and Springfield areas. Perhaps you have a few acres great for rabbit or bird hunting, or perhaps you have long since given up deer or moose hunting, but have found your land to be a hot spot for that type of activity. If so, we would love to chat with you to see if you’re interested in getting involved with our program. Taking care of our veterans is our number 1 focus. Along with that, we are focused on maximizing the reach of each donor dollar. Our donors entrust us to make the most of these donations and we work hard to find new ways of offering more at a lower expense just like everyone in this day and age. By finding land to hunt closer to the lodge we can utilize the beautiful facility we have there that sleeps 28 with a spacious great room and commercial kitchen. By hunting locally we can utilize the resources we have and keep the expenses to a minimum. What's even better than that is the fact that all attendees of the retreat share meals together, spend time before and after the retreat, sharing stories, sharing experiences, and making connections in a way that simply isn't possible at a hotel or split up across several locations. Veteran retreats are not just about hunting as I'm sure you've already gathered, from our previous columns. What they are about, is CONNECTION and time together. That's why our motto is TOGETHER WE HEAL. Together isn't about veterans. Healing happens within the hearts of volunteers that take part, maybe they had a family of veterans and know firsthand the sacrifices made. Healing happens for individuals within the companies and organizations that get involved, for they might have a team full of veterans or gold star family members and know the stories behind the service. Healing happens when land owners shake the hand of a veteran who will hunt their land, for they see the look in that veteran's eyes and appreciation for the opportunity. These Landowners know they are giving back by sharing the resources available to them. Landowners take part in discussions between Paul House, our volunteer guides, and the veterans themselves. They can see and feel firsthand, the impact these retreats have on those attending. This isn't about a hunt, it's about the NOW, getting away from the hustle and having space to breathe. It's about connecting with new friends that more often than not, become lifelong connections. If you are a landowner in the area and would like to know how you might get involved, connect with new friends, give back to our veterans, and change lives, please reach out to us to talk further. We'd love to have you join in on the mission of Giving Back. Who knows, maybe you'll find your healing there too. TOGETHER WE HEAL. House in the Woods 217 Skunk Hill Road Lee, Maine 04455 207-738-8387 houseinthewoods.org angie.gade@houseinthewoods.org FB @houseinthewoodsmilitaryfamilyretreat LinkedIn @houseinthewoodsmilitaryandfamilyretreat

THIS is what supporting Veterans looks like. COLLABORATION among non-profits supporting military heroes. It's not a competition to those who are doing it for the right reason. House In The Woods is proud to collaborate with over 25 like-minded non-profits serving our military heroes and their families. We are proud to call you all friends. All organizations we work with are not shown in this video but they are certainly all represented by what these men have to say in this short video. ⭐️Please listen in and SHARE if you agree! ⭐️ TOGETHER WE HEAL #togetherweheal

The coveted Maine Moose Tag, a hunting retreat long sought after by many Mainahs and hunters from across the country. Some residents have been applying for 30 years or more and have never been selected. With an average of 50,000 applicants annually and just 4,080 permits issued in 2022, you can see why being selected for a Maine moose tag is such an honor. Maine is now one of the top moose-hunting destinations in the U.S. and once you see it for yourself you’ll know why. House in the Woods Military and family retreat is host to a wide variety of incredible hunting retreats for Veterans, one of which is the Maine Moose Hunt, made possible by the donation of tags from those selected through the lottery process. These hunts are further made possible by the amazing volunteer guides who dedicate not only hunting time with their veteran but the many weeks they spend driving north to scout and plan for the absolute best location of lodging and moose location. During the retreat these volunteer guides not only help locate moose but also help in moose collection, cleaning, transportation, lodging needs, food preparation, and every other aspect of this veterans needs. Sponsors who support the organization help to pay for the considerable expense incurred on these retreats including fuel to travel into the North Maine Woods, lodging, food, and other equipment necessary not only to harvest this large animal but also get the moose out of the woods, have the meat processed through a professional butcher and shipping of the meat back to the veterans home. The cost of the entire hunt including everything from flights to shipping meat could run upwards of $10,000.00. Taxidermy is not included and is the responsibility of the attending veteran otherwise all other expenses are paid for by House in the Woods and it’s supporting sponsors. Thanks to the collaborative mindset between House in the Woods and AHERO, David Soto was recommended as a potential participant in this retreat. David is a Purple Heart recipient, a combat-wounded Marine from O’Donnell, Texas, and an incredible man, more than deserving of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You might find it interesting to know that moose outnumber people three to one in areas of the North Maine Woods with a whopping estimated population of 76,000 moose. That sounds like a sure thing, right? Not exactly. Once you factor in that there are 3.5 million acres of forest land which makes this retreat one that you will remember for a lifetime because although incredibly peaceful and relaxing hunting with your team, this woodland area is going to make you work for it. There are no rangers, no lifeguards, and more often than not, no cell service.  You’ll need to bring in everything you need because it’s a very long way to the nearest gas station. David had nothing to fear as he would be guided by an amazing group of very skilled, qualified, and caring Maine Guides and volunteers. He was joined by the Executive Director of House in the Woods Paul House and volunteers Spencer Randall, Dan Aiken, and Mike McGinnis. David and his House in the Woods support team spent Sunday settling into camp and getting familiar with the lay of the land. Heading to bed early is key as 3 a.m. will come quickly. Truth be told we’re certain there isn’t much sleep with the excitement of the pending hunt in the morning. David shared the experience in his own words, “Monday morning we started glassing for moose, calling for moose in an area we had seen tracks the day before, but nothing called back. We glassed for an hour and a half but no response, so we moved to another area. We move from one cut to another call all morning with no response.” One of the areas you may find moose is a tree clearcut, or an area where most of the trees were logged at the same time and few trees are left standing. 1 year or 2-year-old cuts are ideal for visibility. The moose love to feed on the small saplings and vegetation growing there. “We did a lot of walking and tracking so around 3 p.m. we all decided to take a nap since the time moose move most is in the morning or the evening. After a 20-minute nap, we went back to the location we had been earlier, sat there and called. Nothing responded so we went riding again, we saw two cow moose going up a hill and stopped to watch them. Just 80 yards in front of them we spotted the bull moose, so I took a shot at it coming down the hill and made a clean harvest, leaving him just 80 yards off the road.” David goes on, “Turbo the tracking dog was with us and although it was just a short distance it was impressive to see him work and be part of it all. This was my first-time moose hunting and it was incredible. I did not know about glassing, hiking, or riding, and I learned so much about wildlife in general spending time with Paul and the rest of the team. I enjoyed spotting, stalking, walking, tracking, and looking for sign. Everyone pitched in and helped in every way possible. They were nice, and it was incredible.” Upon their return, they delivered the moose to the butcher who quickly processed the moose before he boarded the plane to head home to Texas later that week. David was able to take back 250 pounds of various cuts such as steaks and ground meat. The rest of the meat processed was donated back to the House in the Woods program where it will be enjoyed by veteran attendees of many other retreats which are held all throughout the year. A moose will provide enough meat to feed a family for several years if processed and packaged correctly. David had this to share about the moose meat, “We had the steaks, made jerky and burgers. My wife loves the ground moose. It’s better than anything we’ve ever had. We have had whitetail, axis, elk, and beef and this beats it all. There’s better flavor and it’s healthier for our family, not to mention our freezer will be full for quite some time. The jerky was incredible, I just seasoned it up before putting it in the dehydrator. I shared it with my coworkers, and it was finished off in one sitting. I may put some in the smoker today too.” His final words about this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity were, “This is by far the greatest experience I have ever had on a hunt. I have been on hunts before, but this is totally different. You work for your harvest rather than just sitting in a blind. I loved spending time with those with me. Thank you to everyone who made this possible.”

House in the Woods Book Recommendation Written by Active Duty hero Justin Jordan Find it here: https://smile.amazon.com/Then-Cried-Stories-Mortuary-Nco/dp/0985558245/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1666706735&sr=8-1

Every veteran has a story, which not all will share. As part of Alex's journey of healing, SHARING is helping him heal. Listen in as Alex shares a window into what that journey feels like, and what part organizations like House in the Woods & Charlie 22 are having as we walk side by side with him, and veterans like him. Love his message... never give up. TOGETHER WE HEAL

Download Matt's Newsletter here and find out how you can make a big impact on the lives of Veterans, while paying less taxes!

A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS Darkness can be described by the lack of illumination or the absence of light. The human eye is unable to distinguish between colors as there is less and less light until eventually, it identifies nothing at all. No matter how wide you open your eyes, or how hard you try and force yourself to see something, if there is no light at all, there is only darkness. In that darkness, we find ourselves with a heightened level of fear, fear of the unknown. What is in the dark? What is now missing that you could see before? What do you feel here now that wasn’t visible then? Fear of the unknown, wishing the light would come again quickly, which in some cases can feel like an eternity. It can feel like it will remain dark forever. The darkness described here might be comparable to the feeling that some veterans experience when they leave their military service. What we share here is often photos of smiling faces, peace, laughter, and joy, which is truly an incredible experience, and what we hope veterans experience while here at House in the Woods. However, those photos don’t show the feelings that veterans are experiencing in their every day life, which is the real reason they are here to begin with. It is true that not all veterans are suffering from depression, PTSD, TBI or other disabilities of that nature, but many will share with you that after leaving the military they have felt the longing and loneliness that remains when you leave the military. The darkness may be that feeling of being alone, even though the world “sees” that a veteran has “a good life, a nice family, or a good job”. What we try to share with the rest of the world through our photos and videos is that though they all be VETERANS and MILITARY HEROES, each person carries with them a very unique story and journey. Each person comes from a unique background, family history, and journey leading them into the military, and each one had a unique experience while serving our country. Sometimes we only see darkness because we have our heads hung low, depressed, and unsure of what the future holds. However, if we can reach military men and women, and bring them with us on a journey to discovering the healing qualities of spending time in the great outdoors, with other veterans, we can try and help them SEE the light. We can help them raise their head upward, to see that though it seems dark, there is a glimmer of light on the horizon. If you can focus on the here and now, the peace of the present moment, you may be able to see that this far-off light is shining on things around it, that there is hope, and there is beauty in the darkness too. Something that most don’t SEE when looking at our photos is the LIGHT that a veteran may experience when spending time at our retreats, or just spending time at the lodge. The discovery that there is hope for the future. What you may see when you look deep into the faces of these men and women is the look that says they FEEL appreciation, love, and gratitude for what they have sacrificed, what they have been through. These moments are often not in photo or video, they are in the quiet moments of a conversation between two veterans, while they sit quietly in a blind out in the woods, or on a walk up to Joel’s memorial bench here at the lodge, where they sit quietly with Joel and talk through their struggles or pray through them in silence. Those moments are different for each and everyone. The beauty of the darkness can be seen here in this photo, taken by Mike Kalinowski in the North Maine Woods while working with Mike Thurlow as they guide Purple Heart Combat Wounded Veteran Jack Goodroe from Texas on a Veteran moose hunt retreat this week. In this quiet little place, far off in the woods with no electricity, service or running water, you’ll find more CONNECTION than in any big city. Here’s a group of friends tucked away getting back to the basics, working together, and creating memories that will last a lifetime. What you think they’re doing is just hunting for moose, but what they are in search of has nothing to do with hunting at all. With or without the moose, this retreat is already a success. They have found light in the darkness. #TOGETHERWEHEAL

Just twelve days until the halls of House in the Woods will once again be filled with the sound of veterans filling the halls and rooms. This is the sound that Paul and Dee House yearn for all year round. The talking, sharing, and yes even the snoring, mean that military brothers and sisters are gathered under one roof for one mission – healing. Ok yes, they also would love the opportunity to harvest a bear, but first things first, let's connect, share stories and maybe make a new friend or two. I was chatting with my friend Rich Cutcliffe yesterday and he said something that struck me as so simple, yet so profound, that I wanted to share with all of you. Have you ever had a moment when a friend is sharing something rather deep that perhaps they are struggling with, or you can tell they may not have shared that with someone before? You can feel it in the air, see it on their face and perhaps in their demeanor, they are walking the journey of healing. Do you recall a moment where there’s suddenly a silence, a silence so thick you panicked? Immediately our brains think HURRY, SAY SOMETHING, this is AWKWARD! I want to talk about it because as with many veterans battling PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), or Depression, among a myriad of other invisible wounds, you may notice this happen and perhaps this can help you through a difficult conversation which will lead to greater connection in the future. The next time you experience that moment, sit in it. Sit WITH your friend in that silence and just be with them. You are not required to have all of the answers. Sometimes being quiet is more valuable to another person than just filling the air with a lot of, “I know it will work out.” Or “Just be positive.” Sit in silence, and just BE. Being with your friend during times of reflection is likely more meaningful than diving deep into a discussion. Believe it or not, this takes your friendship to a new level. Being able to be silent with someone means a lot. The sheer fact that you can LISTEN and not talk or give your opinion or judgment means they’ll likely confide in you again in the future. Embracing the silence. Not only does sitting quietly in reflection lower your heart rate, but it can also help reduce your blood pressure and gives your brain the time it needs to process the emotions you’re feeling rather than suppressing them. When someone is processing grief, struggling with trauma, or depression the best thing we can do for them is practice loving kindness and use deep listening. You can do this by being present, and focusing on the here and now. Listen deeply, not just to hear but to understand. Listen with your heart, not just your ears, and try to feel what they are feeling. Resist the urge to express your pain at this time. Being with someone who is struggling often makes us want to express the pain or grief that we have gone through in hopes that they will know “they’re not alone”. It’s understandable but resist the urge. Hold their hand – metaphorically or otherwise depending on the situation. Walk with them through it, don’t take it over. Finally, don’t try to fix them, or their situation. We all have a journey and it’s not your responsibility to take away their struggles. As their friend, it can be part of your journey to help them walk theirs. Thank you for your support of our military heroes. If you would like to donate to one of our disabled veteran bear attendees at the upcoming retreat, please do so at houseinthewoods.org

What a beautiful day for a bike ride! At 9 a.m. a small group of veterans will gather together for healing and camaraderie as they hop on their bikes to spend the day peddling together. Grab your bike and join in the fun. It is expected to be a casual ride, with plenty of stops for resting, followed by a small lunch at the House in the Woods lodge. Estimated ride time 3 hours all together. Bring your bike and join in the fun! Call Dee House for details: 207-943-3175 #TOGETHERWEHEAL

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION SNEAK PEEK! July 10th 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. “We carry their stone for a hike; We carry their story for a lifetime.” The Summit Project will join House In The Woods in celebration and honor of the roots of the House in the Woods mission. OPEN TO ALL PUBLIC! The entire Summit Project team will be on hand hosting our first Summit Project hike right on the House in the Woods property making a special journey to the Sgt. Joel A. House memorial. Thank you to the entire Summit Project family for sharing your time and talents. We invite the public to join us that weekend to learn more about The Summit Project, watch the ribbon cutting and honor our fallen heroes. What better way to spend a Sunday than with friends and family remembering our Fallen Heroes, who made the ultimate sacrifice, for our FREEDOM. We look forward to gathering celebrate the the lives of heroes like Sgt. Joel A. House and all others who we honor and remember each and every day. SPREAD THE WORD!! FREE TO THE PUBLIC. FOODENTERTAINMENT FUNDCONNECTION HONOR REMEMBERANCE #TOGETHERWEHEAL #supportmilitaryheroes #thesummitproject #houseinthewoodsmilitaryfamilyretreat

Get in line! Here's your opportunity to toss a pie in the face of Paul House. What better way to raise money to sponsor a veteran than some good old fashion fun! We have room for 2 more volunteers to TAKE ONE FOR THE TEAM! Bidding will begin at noon, July 9th in front of the House in the Woods lodge during the Anniversary Celebration. Winning bidder can choose who will put the pie into Paul's face so you may want to team up and pool your money for this MOMENTOUS OPPORTUNITY! Just look at the pure joy on Mike Thurlow's face the last time this opportunity presented itself It's all in good fun and the recipient of the pie in the face gets to eat it too so it's a win for everyone! Contact Angie at 920-517-6749 if you're interested in volunteering your face, I mean, your time, to this great cause. *PLEASE SHARE!! YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS IT. #TOGETHERWEHEAL