Impacting hundreds of thousands of people today, and attributing to countless suicides every year, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has proven to be a large concern in the United States. Though anyone with trauma can experience PTSD, it is especially common amongst Military veterans, impacting around seven percent of service members. The disorder was not recognized as a medical diagnosis until 1980, but has since gained attention nationwide, with several institutions being established to help veterans recover from traumatic experiences.
The Boulder Crest Foundation is one such institution, with locations in both Arizona and Virginia. The latter is located in the town of Bluemont, and offers a plethora of activities both on and around the property. Boulder Crest’s Bluemont property is 37 acres and is designed to appeal directly to veterans suffering PTSD by means of therapeutic pastimes such as archery, art, music, fishing, and more. The nearby Appalachian Trail allows veterans to immerse themselves in a serene environment, and the Shenandoah River hosts exciting kayaking trips. Events including barbeques and bonfires are held to promote socialization and growth as a community. Boulder Crest offers multiple programs for visitors of different backgrounds, varying in length and content, but all with the goal of mental recovery and forming close bonds with other veterans.
The primary objective of Boulder Crest is to implement Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) into their programs. According to representatives at Boulder Crest Bluemont, “Post-Traumatic Growth, in a nutshell, is the idea that ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and wiser.’” When veterans attending the retreat utilize PTG, they reflect on their lives and identify the roots of their trauma, then use their struggles as means to change themselves for the better. To accomplish PTG, Boulder Crest offers two main programs: Warrior PATHH and Family Rest and Reconnection. The Warrior PATHH is a 90-day program, starting with a 7-day intensive initiation followed by three months of support, training, and connection from other veterans at Boulder Crest. It is an immersive experience that is designed specifically around veterans who struggle deeply with trauma and personal battles. Family Rest and Reconnection, on the other hand, aims to bring military families closer together in a peaceful environment. Boulder Crest representatives share, “Veterans and their families who come for Rest and Reconnection may take full advantage of the peaceful setting of our retreat in Bluemont. They may fish, enjoy yoga instruction, walk the labyrinth, collect eggs from chickens, take advantage of the wonderful trails in the area, or just relax in a beautiful environment.”
Following these programs, the majority of participating veterans claimed to have experienced an increase in Post-Traumatic Growth, alongside a reduction in depression and anxiety. Though many victims of PTSD have been helped in the past, many more still suffer without recognition, which is why organizations such as Boulder Crest aim to shed light on the subject through outreach programs that span the U.S. “In addition to Boulder Crest’s Retreat in Bluemont, we have a ranch in Sonoita, AZ, two mobile training teams, and seven partner organizations around the country.” Boulder Crest also offers volunteer opportunities, enabling other community members to engage in the lives of recovering veterans. To learn more about volunteering, visit bouldercrest.volunteerlocal.com.