After Military Service

Camp Shield's SHE THRIVES Retreats provide Women Veterans and their children with 4-day retreats, held at off-site facilities. The retreats focus on our mission of empowering Women Veterans through emotional strength, social unity, and physical perseverance. By allowing a Woman Veteran's children to attend the SHE THRIVES Retreats, we can provide programming specific to family healing and growth. Our retreat model is easily updated and modified to provide the latest information and healing practices, including traditional therapies and holistic health approaches. We have a licensed therapist in attendance to facilitate some of the workshops and to be there should one of the women or children in attendance need to talk with a therapist. Fishing Retreats are unique multi-day retreats that offer experiences that promote relaxation, connection with nature, and personal growth through interaction with the outdoors. In 2024 we had two SHE THRIVES Retreats and 1 Fishing Retreat.

Camp Shield's SHE THRIVES Workshops, Mastermind Book Clubs and Peer Support Groups: The SHE THRIVES Workshops provide Women Veterans with the knowledge, tools, and experiences to achieve and maintain emotional strength, social unity, and physical perseverance. The workshops are two to six-hour long learning sessions which can be completed within a single day or over several weeks. A few examples of these workshops may include: Emotional Intelligence, Emotion Regulation, Who am I now?, Yoga, Sound and Vibration Therapy, Financial Fitness, and Mind-Body Wellness, Leadership training, and Women's self-defense classes. Workshops are currently offered at least monthly with a licensed therapist in attendance or on-call. Childcare is provided or reimbursed for, if needed. Camp Shield's SHE THRIVES Mastermind Book Clubs provide Women Veterans the opportunity to explore 'personal development/post traumatic growth' focused books with their peers. These facilitated, in-depth conversations, are led by qualified facilitators. Participants are encouraged to give honest feedback, opinions, and to create actionable items that they may incorporate into their lives. Camp Shield's 'Wonder Woman Wednesday's' Peer Support Groups provide Women Veterans with an open, safe, and secure environment to connect with and earn from fellow Veterans, not only in their local community, but across the United States of America. These support groups meet regularly for one-hour sessions. The 'Wonder Woman Wednesday's' Peer Support Groups have developed a peer-to-peer support structure model that is replicable across the country.

Camp Shield's AmeriCorps VISTA Program: Camp Shield had eight AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteer In Service To America) positions and one VISTA Leader position filled at differing times throughout the year. This is a Federal Program that pays the VISTAs a stipend for them to provide Camp Shield with 40 hours/week of service. The VISTA roles build capacity for Camp Shield in positions that include: Salesforce Administration, Outreach, Development, Community Engagement, Marketing & Promotions, Volunteer Coordinator, Program Coordinator, and Grant Coordinator. The value of these AmeriCorps VISTAs for 2024 is equivalent to $230,800.

Other Services/Events : In 2024 Camp Shield also collaborated with other organizations to help our veterans in many different ways. A few examples are: The Women Veteran Empowerment Expo, Back-To-School event, Annual Women Veteran (and children) Holiday Party, Rapid re-housing for homeless veterans, gas and grocery gift cards, providing Christmas trees/decorations, Christmas gifts, Christmas stockings for the children, Holiday meals, educational courses, recreational adventures, and child care assistance.