Joseph’s Youth Camp is proud to announce its annual Operation Restoring Veteran’s Hope Retreat will be held on September 23 – 26, 2022. This free event will take place at our campsite by Mormon Lake, 23 miles southeast of Flagstaff. This retreat will give previously or currently struggling veterans to focus on their well-being, connect with other veterans, share their stories, and have opportunities for improved mental healing. Several video features from past events can be found at these links:
- https://azpbs.org/horizon/2018/11/operation-restoring-veteran-hope/
- https://youtu.be/mASN-H4Xm0E
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1J13DwRkYc&feature=youtu.be
Since the success of the first retreat in 2018, we have expanded the capacity from 70 veterans to 120 veterans. Veterans of Vietnam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan, and Iraq and ranging in age from 29 years old to 72 years old have attended in the past years. We have worked with the Phoenix Veterans Center to identify veterans who would benefit from this opportunity, and often, they are homeless. During the retreat, veterans will participate in and receive the following:
- All water and meals
- Round trip bus transportation from the Phoenix VA Hospital to St. Joseph’s Youth Camp (130 miles each way)
- Backpacks filled with toiletries and bath items needed for the weekend and beyond.
- Sleeping bags
- T-Shirts
- Activities including horseback riding, kayaking, hiking, and ATV tours of the area
- Counseling and spiritual guidance activities
With an average cost of $200 per veteran, St. Joseph’s Youth Camp is seeking to secure $25,000 from community partners, supporters, and sponsors who support and honor Arizona’s veterans and their families.