There are many military programs to help warriors transition from the battlefront to the homefront, but the families are often left to deal with deployment and military life challenges on their own. Through the Warrior Family Retreats, military families can get away to the country for a weekend of family reconnection, healing time, and fun with horses.
Since 2010 the program has helped military families address the transition challenges experienced by long separations, frequent moves, and the devastating effects of conflicts around the world. At the retreats, husbands and wives work with certified equine-assisted therapists to learn new life skills and reconnect as loving partners. Children get the opportunity to share their experiences with their peers and have fun family time with their parents. Everyone enjoys stress-free fun time while handling and riding horses and making lifetime memories.
“We’ve been involved in countless retreats, and this experience you can’t teach in a classroom. It’s a sacred moment that is etched in our shared memories and has helped keep me going in this gauntlet of finishing this assignment well. Thank you for making this possible for our military families.” Ashley Murray, Warrior Family Retreat Participant
Read the full text of Ashley’s speech
EAGALA-cerified therapists and professional natural horsemanship instructors help couples and young adults work through military life issues such as constant change, anxiety, PTSD and personal conflicts. These sessions provide them with valuable tools to cope, communicate and thrive long after the Warrior Family Retreat is over.
Sample activities include:
- Equine-assisted team building
- Family art projects
- Secrets of a horse whisperer
- Learning to ride a horse
- Fun family/couples activities
- Barbeque and campfire
Click to read what families have to say about the retreats (pdf)
Click here to download the Family Retreat Agenda (pdf)
The Warrior Family Retreats are FREE for military families, thanks to the generosity and appreciation of an all-volunteer staff, individual donors and corporate supporters. Hotel and meals are included for all family members from infants to adults. Childcare is provided for infants and toddlers at the Warrior Family Retreat.
Military support
- Soldier Family Activity Center (SFAC), Joint Base Lewis McChord
- Military & Family Life Consultant Program (MFLC), Joint Base Lewis McChord
- Army Chaplain Corps, Joint Base Lewis McChord
- Navy Chaplain Corps, Naval Region Northwest
- CREDO Northwest
- Fleet and Family Support Center, Naval Region Northwest
Community Partners
Volunteer to Help
You can thank our military families for their service by volunteering for the Warrior Family Retreat. There are positions for childcare, feeding, family activities, horse handling and more.
Upcoming Retreats
August 24 – 25, 2024
Location:
Northwest Natural Horsemanship Center
32925-A SE 46th St.
Fall City, WA 98024