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Pines on the mountain property, with a sea of clouds and snowy peaks beyond

Programs

What THE CAMPUS will offer

About the programs

Programs · Begin when THE CAMPUS opens

THE CAMPUS was founded to address gaps in mental health care for active-duty service members, veterans, and first responders. THE CAMPUS will combine clinical support + environment + peer connection. THE CAMPUS is located in a natural, retreat-based setting.

THE CAMPUS will offer a hybrid model combining clinical mental health services, peer-based support, retreat-style environment, and structured programs with accountability.

THE CAMPUS will offer more than just treatment; we will strive for transformation + reintegration.

What it will be

Guests will be welcomed into a setting that replaces sterile hallways with fresh air, quiet cabins, walking trails, open spaces, and a community of people who understand service and sacrifice.

Healing will not be confined to an office. It will happen around campfires, on hiking trails, through meaningful conversations, peer support, counseling, educational programs, wellness activities, and moments of quiet reflection.

A sea of clouds below the mountain property — open sky and fresh mountain air

The programs

Five programs · None running yet

Program

Peer support

Veterans and first responders will have the opportunity to connect with peer support who understand their unique experiences. Through compassionate peer support participants can build meaningful relationships, share their journeys in a safe and welcoming environment, and find encouragement, hope, and strength alongside others who have walked similar paths.

Program

Guided outdoor programs

Guests will hike, kayak, canoe, and walk/run trails — days are spent moving through the mountain terrain and the waters around it rather than engaging with a therapist in an office room.

See Types of Therapy for the full range of programs.

Program

Equine therapy

Working with horses in alpine or rural mountain environments. Helps with emotional regulation, trust-building, & trauma recovery.

Program

Overnight retreats

Guests will stay one to three nights on the property—long enough to disconnect, recharge, and experience meaningful personal growth, yet short enough to fit within the demands of a busy professional or family life.

The retreat experience will be tailored to each guest’s goals and may include a variety of evidence-informed and nature-based programs, such as:

  • Guided Wilderness Therapy
  • Mindfulness and Meditation Retreats
  • Therapeutic Hiking (Walk-and-Talk Therapy)
  • Equine-Assisted Therapy in Mountain Ranch Settings
  • Cold Exposure and Breathwork Retreats
  • Guided Personal Growth and Wellness Retreats
  • Adventure Therapy Experiences
  • Digital Detox Retreats
  • Couples and Marriage Retreats
  • Team-Building and Leadership Development Programs
  • Stress-Reduction and Burnout Recovery Retreats
  • Resilience and Emotional Wellness Workshops
  • Customized Retreat Experiences for Individuals, Couples, Families, and Organizations

Each retreat is designed to foster reflection, resilience, emotional well-being, and renewed connection—with oneself, with others, and with the natural world. Whether guests are seeking healing, personal development, relationship enrichment, or professional growth, every experience combines the restorative power of nature with skilled guidance in a safe, supportive environment.

Program

Clinical services

Once open, THE CAMPUS will offer both traditional and non-traditional mental health services that include; individual counseling, group counseling, marriage counseling, Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), and therapy specific to PTSD, substance use, and military sexual trauma (MST). Clinical services will run under the direction of the Director of Mental Health, a licensed psychologist.

None of these programs or services are running yet. THE CAMPUS is being built on a mountain property near Kings Canyon National Park — they begin when it opens.

Types of Therapy

Examples of “mental health therapy”:

Traditional mental health therapy: individual therapy, marriage counseling, couples counseling, group therapy, etc.

Non-Traditional mental health therapy: recreational therapy or “nature-based” mental health therapies. Typically, this takes place in mountain settings and are often called ecotherapy, wilderness therapy, or nature-based interventions. These approaches combine solitude, physical activity, and guided reflection in natural environments.

Therapy

Wilderness Therapy (Guided)

Individuals spend time in remote mountain settings/periodic therapist check-ins. Can include solo reflection periods with journaling. Often used for anxiety, depression, or life transitions.

Therapy

Mindfulness & Meditation Retreats

Silent or guided retreats held in mountain monasteries or lodges. Practices include breathwork, meditation, & mindful walking; mindfulness-based stress reduction.

Therapy

Therapeutic Hiking (Walk-and-Talk Therapy)

1 on 1 therapy sessions conducted while hiking in mountainous terrain. Combines physical movement with psychotherapy. Movement can help clients open up more naturally than in office settings.

Therapy

Equine-Assisted Therapy in Mountain Retreats

Working with horses in alpine or rural mountain environments. Helps with emotional regulation, trust-building, & trauma recovery.

Therapy

Cold Exposure & Breathwork Retreats

Combine cold immersion (mountain lakes, snow), breathing exercises, & mindset training. Can improve resilience & stress tolerance when done safely.

Therapy

Guided/Supported Retreats

Individuals spend extended time alone in the mountains (often 1–4 days) with minimal supplies. Focus on self-discovery, life purpose, and emotional clarity.

Therapy

Adventure Therapy

Uses activities like rock climbing, mountaineering, or backpacking. Facilitated by therapists to build confidence, resilience, & coping skills.

Therapy

Digital Detox Retreats

No phones, internet, or outside contact. Encourages mental reset, deeper introspection, and reduced anxiety from constant stimulation.

The fastest way to make these real

The programs start when the build finishes. Donations fund the build; partners and volunteers move it forward.