This trip was far more amazing than I ever could have imagined. The mountains were absolutely amazing and serene, and make you not want to go home. The leaders and exercises really made you think, and it helped a lot to prioritize life, which can be very difficult to do with PTSD. I highly recommend this trip to any veteran who has returned home physically, but is still trying to find their way back mentally.

Dear Paul,

You have a gentle soul, which is exactly what I needed. When I was preparing for this trip, I had no idea what to expect. Anxiety overtook my body and mind. Upon meeting you at the airport, I knew everything would be okay. That I would be okay.

Thank you for giving me your time and knowledge. You are such an inspiration. Your patience and thoughtful words are something that I strive for.

I’d be honored to come back as a mentor if I’m the right fit. I love the sense of family and belonging of the staff and volunteers. Your openness and no-judgment attitude are traits rarely found even among biological families. You all are more than that. The love that radiates between you all can be felt by anyone that pays attention.

Hello Paul,

As you can imagine, life did not stop while we were out in nature and I really had to hit the ground running coming back to the “real world” My kids started school, preparing for when my wife leaves for Airforce Bootcamp on the 26th of this month, and making challenging business moves. Safe to say I plan on “visiting” the pictures often!

I wanted to thank you first for the amazing experience during the whole Huts for Vets program, and being out in nature. I cannot even begin to tell you how honored I am to be apart of this trip, I am grateful for the knowledge gained, but most importantly for new friendships and spiritual connections, I made with everyone. The whole program itself is such an amazing concept, I am blessed to have experienced the curriculum first hand. I would like to stay in contact any way possible, and hopefully have the opportunity to help assist in future events (given that I do not get stationed in another country!) Thank you so much again for your time, energy, and shared memories that I will forever cherish.

With Thanks,

I came to Huts For Vets expecting to be available for wounded souls. I didn’t expect to learn how talented, dedicated, and just plain great vets are. Yeah, they suffer problems, but their courage and motivation to continue to give to others has been a revelation. Reach out. Get to know a vet and you’ll find a quality person who has more to offer than you could ever imagine. Thank you, guys!

 Thank God for all the wonders He has created and Huts For Vets for providing a conduit to return me to these wonders. Semper Fi!

This has been a great program that is a catalyst to healing and becoming whole again. There is no better place to start this process than with nature. Thank you!

Experienced great time with fellow vets. Learned that life is about living the moment, with no fear of retribution. Fear only controls emotion which creates hostility and anger. Being outdoors has broken me into pieces by realizing pain. Thoughts that were buried I brought to the surface. On the walks these thoughts consumed my every breath. Memories are always going to remind me of where I was before deployment, during deployment, and currently. I am not a horrible person. Only to get better.

This was an amazing experience. The connection I possessed with this band of brothers, military or not, is sure to have a positive impact on myself and those in my presence. I have found the tools I need to make it happen. Now, all that is left is Action! God speed to Huts For Vets and all of its successors.

I am a person that spends time outdoors, but my time here has been different – the perfect “reset.” I will take the tools I have gained and better myself.

Being in this wilderness has helped me understand the value, quality and significance of these wild places. “The further man’s feet are from the earth, the less respect he has for living, growing things.” The men here have taught me that I must improve myself in order to enjoy the freedoms that we all fought for. The Huts For Vets staff is an amazing group of guys with an exceptional program that can give the combat veteran tools to be able to cope with transitions and the issues associated with PTSD, TBI, etc. This program exceeded all my expectations, and the talk, the laughter, music and general BS were truly a gift and proved that camaraderie and brotherhood cross the lines of military branch, unit, and years. Thanks for everything!

Thank you to everybody associated with Huts For Vets. Not only have I been allowed to see some of God’s most beautiful landscapes throughout the Hunter-Frying Pan Wilderness Area, but I have also been able to connect with fellow vets with similar situations and reflect on where I am now and where I want to be. This trip exceeded all expectations in every way.

Wow! Words cannot express the impact this experience has had on my heart and soul! Wilderness therapy for combat vets is an incredible and innovative concept. What a journey! I have come further with braving my post-traumatic experiences in the last three days than I have in two years dealing with the VA. I pray that my fellow brothers and sisters in arms find their way to experience the enlightenment that Huts For Vets has provided. God bless!

This was my first time in the wilds and it was with the best group of veterans I’ve ever been with. Huts For Vets and my fellow warriors saved my life over the last four days together. Finding healing from all the things we’ve experienced could not have happened in a better place.

I want to again thank all the staff and participants in Huts For Vets for all their efforts, sharing, personal risks and disclosures, and feedback you gave to me in this unique group wilderness experience. I feel very overwhelmed (in a good way) with emotions and reflections from my whole life, and also very grateful to have been there in the presence of extremely cool and talented people.

The peer group approach is exactly what I needed to realize, and admit, that I have a problem beyond myself diagnosis and I am ready to take it on.

I am Melody Capp’s mother, and I want to say thank you for this program! The woman that went on her first hike with you was not the same one who came home. I got my little girl back that was missing. This was one of the best things to happen for her, and I am so grateful that this is here for her and all the vets that are in need. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all that you are doing for all of our vets past, present and future.

I just want to thank you again for everything you have done to make the trip so memorable. I was so sad to leave and turn my cellphone back on and plug back into reality. Your program and every one of the staff are really something else, and I can’t say enough positive things about how well treated we all were. The time outdoors and in the wilderness was exactly what I needed in my life at that moment, and I’m so blessed I had the chance to witness such beauty and tranquility. You have really created something special here and I can’t wait to get the other Navy girls who deployed with me to venture out there. Also, if you ever need more alumni to come back, I would truly be so happy to do so.

I want to first and foremost Thank You!!!. The work that you guys do at HFV is incredible. As you know, I work on a day to day basis with Veterans at Perry Technical Institute. And the 4 Veterans who went through your program in July came back completely positively different. I was amazed to see how much of a positive effect your program has had on them, The staff and faculty at Perry Tech are very thankful as well.