Finding hope after great loss is a daunting task for anyone; for the family members of injured and fallen Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians, it’s often a harrowing journey. The EOD Warrior Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life for the EOD Family by providing education, financial and emotional support.
Group retreats have become an integral part of the organization’s programming for the proven therapeutic benefits these immersive experiences offer. The weekend-long gatherings offer a safe space for attendees to share, connect, process trauma, and find others who may have similar circumstances. The foundation provides the retreat offerings at no cost to the attendees.
“When working with military families, I strive to offer them the best. And that is Bliss Farm and Retreat.”
Therapeutic retreats in Asheville
This year, Bliss Farm and Retreat hosted three EOD Warrior Foundation-/Her War, Her Voice facilitated group retreats. Sherri Beck, Director of Programs at the non-profit, partnered with Melissa Seligman, an Asheville-based author and founder of the organization Her War, Her Voice. In April, the two organizations facilitated a retreat for surviving spouses of EOD suicide. They came back to Bliss in July with a group of teenagers whose parents are active duty or veteran EOD technicians who served in combat. Then in September, they used Bliss as the venue to welcome spouses/caregivers of EOD technicians.
Our Asheville-area mountain retreat center is an ideal location for therapeutic activities like yoga, hiking, art therapy, group discussion, poetry reading, and educational workshops. Off-site activities like horseback riding are easily accessed, too; in fact, equine therapy at nearby Horse Sense of the Carolinas was a part of each EOD Warrior Foundation/Her War, Her Voice Retreat hosted at Bliss Farm and Retreat in 2019.
Healing activities for therapeutic retreats
In addition to the more “conventional” retreat activities, Melissa and her team will often lead participants through deeply powerful and creative exercises and we are always more than happy to assist them in the planning and operations. The activities are designed to release the unique stress, frustrations and anger that come with difficult circumstances associated with military life. Often times, it is an exercise simply to consider the power of releasing what has been bottled up for so long.
It’s become a tradition of the retreat leaders to gather attendees in the retreat house on their last night together to enjoy a popcorn bar and slide show of photos taken by the group’s dedicated photographer.
“There is an incredible sense of nurturing at Bliss Farm and Retreat. It’s just a beautiful experience.”
Healing from military trauma- group retreats in the Asheville mountains
We feel very privileged to open up our hearts and retreat center facilities to these groups, and in turn, attendees have opened up to us. In September, participants asked each staff member (including Frank) to join them in a closing ceremony in which each member shares a powerful statement, sealing the bond that has formed amongst the attendees. It was a profound experience for each of us and an example of why we love what we do.
As a former Marine, Frank has lived experiences of the hardships and risks that come with military service. Recovery from military trauma and loss takes courage, grace, and community. At Bliss Farm and Retreat, we’re committed to providing the setting, nourishment, and support needed in order for groups to engage in the sacred work of recovery.
If you are looking for a beautiful, accommodating venue to host therapeutic group retreats in a serene mountain setting, please get in touch for more information.
Learn more about our work supporting the families of deployed military personnel, victims of military-related loss, and/or veterans, and read Frank’s story.
