First responders regularly and courageously engage with trauma. Frequently this results in suffering from PTSD and facing burnout.

 

Hero’s Rest will be the first-ever U.S. retreat center dedicated to serving first responders! Regular, gifted stays of rest and engagement with nature in a private setting, will mitigate high levels of stress and fatigue. Our goal is for our nation’s heroes to stay active at work longer and be more effective in their jobs.

 

Every person needs and benefits from the sacrifices of first responders – law enforcement, fire fighters, EMS, and military (active and veteran) . With your help, we can honor these heroes and give them the support they need to continue to serve with excellence!

Three camping options will be offered to each hero, giving them the opportunity to engage with nature at their preferred level of intensity. All options will provide healthy outdoor activity alternating with times of rest and reflection during overnight to weeklong stays.

  • Hassle-free Camping
    Cabin (or walled tent) and gear provided
  • Roughing-it Camping
    Campsite or raw land made available for conventional or primitive camping with skilled guests’ own gear
  • Survival Camping
    Intensive, guided primitive camping – includes choosing a raw site, primitive shelter construction, chopping firewood, finding and acquiring resources, etc.

All options include opportunities for fishing, hiking, land stewardship, bushcraft studies, wildlife viewing, outdoor meal preparation, and other hands-on activities. On-site Christian trauma support staff will also be available.

Hero’s Rest is strategically located in the Missouri Ozarks, 10min from trout fishing and public hunting land, 1 1/2 hour from Branson.
In 2024-2025 we will host 150+ guests.