CANAAN TOWNSHIP, WAYNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— Camp Freedom is introducing a new program for veterans and first responders.
Helping veterans and first responders through the great outdoors, that's the mission behind Camp Freedom in Wayne County.
28/22 News Reporter Sydney Kostus was live with the non-profit early Tuesday morning to talk about its newest program that hopes to reach even more American heroes.
Dozens of unit patches across the military and first responders are pinned on the wall inside Camp Freedom in Wayne County. The patches not just representing service, but stories of those who have come through the doors of the non-profit.
“One of the things that our veterans and first responders comment on all the time is that they feel safe and they feel secure, and when you feel safe and you feel secure, and you trust the individuals that you’re dealing with, all of a sudden life starts to change,” said Matt Guedes, veteran/executive director of Camp Freedom.
Executive Director Matt Guedes overlooks the more than 2,300 acres of property used to help disabled veterans, first responders, and Gold Star family members enjoy the great outdoors.
“Whether that’s hiking, biking, fishing, ice fishing, shooting sports,” said Jamie Byrd, a veteran/Assistant Executive Director for Camp Freedom.
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Byrd points out the pins on a map, representing the more than 10,000 people they’ve served across 41 states.
This nationwide service is achieved each day through hard work and care. That passion is driving its newest "CARE at Camp Freedom" program.
“What we’ve done is we partnered with like-minded folks that provide the same level of care that we do and we want them here on the ground,” Byrd explained.
Camp Freedom guests can come to the nonprofit's program event and utilize resources through vendors attending.
Making it a one-stop shop, organizations range from the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to a mobile vet center.
“If we’re bringing in [the] right organizations and right people that we trust, that trust is transferred and we’ll see great things happen,” Guedes told 28/22 News.
CARE at Camp Freedom kicks off March 1 with plans to grow at each additional first Friday throughout the year.
Vendors vary, but on March 1, the vendors include the following:
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Mobile Vet Center
J-Lee Massage
Equines for Freedom
Carbondale Chiropractic Center
P.A. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
VETCONNECT
Banyan Treatment Centers MVIR Program.
The dates for CARE at Camp Freedom include March 1, April 5, May 3, June 7, July 5, August 2, September 6, October 4, November 1, and Dec. 6.
The CARE at Camp Freedom event on Friday will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Camp Freedom.
You can learn more about Camp Freedom at their website.
