Camp Brown Bear is one of the best retreats that I have attended. It challenged me through intellectual and physical tasks that require me to work as a team with the other Veterans, as well as provided a completely relaxed environment for some alone time to fully relax.

It is hard for me to get away and to leave my family, it makes me feel guilty. But the response I get from the changes I’ve made because of Camp Brown Bear is so positive. It helped me to realize that taking care of myself is not only okay, but a necessity.

When I left the service life slowed down a lot, completing “projects” doesn’t happen as fast as it used to. So while helping with work projects, I gain fulfillment by making something with my own hands, and seeing the quick progress is therapeutic and motivational.

Camp Brown Bear introduced me to multiple modalities to deal with my stress, anxiety, trauma and depression. These modalities I’ve personally experienced are yoga, Tai Chi, art therapy, sound therapy, and equine therapy. I really gained perspective while trying each of these modalities and have been able to implement some in my daily life. These have helped me breakthrough some barriers that I don’t think would’ve happened otherwise.

The campfire was a great place to enjoy each others company as well as the entertainment provided by local musicians. At the end of camp it was great to sit down with the other Veterans to break bread for a final time.

Thank you Camp Brown Bear for pouring your heart and souls into something that has helped me personally, and also helped countless other Veterans. I hope to encourage other Veterans that have ANY hesitation or apprehension of Veteran Organizations and/or any stigmas that they may hold, You MUST attend one of these retreats.

Jonathan McQuiston

“I have opened up more in two nights sitting around a fire than I have while seeing a professional for years.”

— Veteran, Anonymous.

My first visit to Camp Brown Bear was with a group of Veterans who suffer from PTSD. The camp offered all of us a place of serenity. We all agreed the spirit at the camp encouraged peace, camaraderie, and healing. The camp is tucked away in the beautiful hills of central Kentucky, just a few miles from the Kentucky River. While at Camp Brown Bear I experienced brotherhood and teamwork while doing projects with my Veteran brothers. In the evenings we sat around the campfire and shared our stories. I learned from Camp Brown Bear that Combat Veterans are not sick nor are they mentally ill. Combat Veterans are different than they once were due to the reality of war. Vets like myself and countless others need to be heard, appreciated, and accepted. What happens at Camp Brown Bear is something special. I feel I left the camp physically, mentally, and spiritually healthier than when I arrived.

Iraq War Veteran, Pastor Daniel Hopkins

An Introduction           

       Hello AND THANK you for your time; my name is Jeremy Wallace, Founder of A SOLDIER'S Heart Bluegrass and Muddy Waters. I am a combat veteran WHO, LIKE many others, SUFFERS from the debilitating grips of Post TRAUMATIC STRESS Disorder (PTSD).

        Combat PTSD is a DISORDER BUT it is so much more. The brain is rewired and functions DIFFERENTLY THAN it did before. There have been many advances in the study AND TREATMENT of PTSD. In my experience what has best helped me cope IS BEING in nature and different activities with other LIKE-MINDED Veterans. At Camp Brown Bear they have a jewel, IT’S a beautiful PLACE NESTLED in the hills in Frankfort, KY. they have cabins, a lodge, A BIG CAMPfire area, and best of all, tranquility. They offer a GREAT ATMOSPHERE for having a group of Veterans get together and EXPERIENCE CAMARADERIE and brotherhood like that experienced in the military.  I HAVE witnessed this FIRSTHAND; you can come there and meet a group OF STRANGERS that struggle with the same things and leave with new LIFELONG friends. It is a way of building a support network and learning NEW COPING skills from others that are in a similar MINDSET. 

        The organization that I have founded has partnered with STEVE BROWN at Kodiak Camps and Outfitters/Camp Brown Bear to set up WEEKEND GETAWAYS for veterans with PTSD, we come together and meet for a WEEKEND OF nature therapy. These events are not like most others, we COME TOGETHER as a team and we work on different projects around camp as WELL AS cook together eat together and sit around a CAMPFIRE together. WE DON'T have a busy timeline or a rigorous schedule; we all work TOGETHER AND enjoy our time finding peace and support through our NEWFOUND brothers. Conversations vary but one thing I know for sure is it IS BETTER than any therapy session I've attended. 

         A SOLDIER'S Heart brings another beneficial activity to these WEEKENDS THROUGH canoeing and kayaking. These weekends are powerful AND THERAPEUTIC; they give you a new bag of tools to fight the battles YOUR MIND goes through.  A new support network, and an introduction to a FEW HOBBIES that you can take home and enjoy with your families or OTHER VETERANS in your area. I'll say it again, BY FAR, this is the BEST THERAPY I've had over the years of fighting PTSD. I look forward to A CONTINUED partnership with Kodiak Camp and Outfitters/Camp Brown Bear. Together if we can help prevent even one Veteran suicide our MISSIONS WILL be worth it but I believe we can do so much more! 

THANKS and God Bless

Jeremy Wallace

Founder, A Soldier's Heart Bluegrass and Muddy Waters