We are thrilled to share with you a glimpse into the remarkable impact of our TWO Healing Base Camps this summer. We had the privilege of welcoming 29 Gold Star families (those who have lost a family member in war) who made a 30+ hour journey from Cherkasy and Mykolaiv, Ukraine. Their arrival was marked by uncertainty about the challenges ahead, but over the course of a week, we were privileged to witness profound effects on their confidence and well-being that came from the experience of learning mountain climbing and the therapeutic benefits of our positive psychology approach!
Throughout each week, children and mothers who had faced the loss of fathers and husbands in the war, embarked on their own mountains of personal growth. Whether it was the brave determination of the young ones embracing their father’s warrior energy as they raced up the mountains (a spirit we hope they always hold), those who progressively reached new heights with each climb, gradually replacing anxiety with resilience, or those who found the moral courage to open up for the first time about their experiences of loss and grief, they all did more than they imagined they could.
“I HAVE NEVER HAD THESE EMOTIONS IN MY LIFE. I TOUCHED THE GROUND, AND KNEW I COULD DO ANYTHING.”
– Healing Base Camp Participant
Each mother and child achieved mental and physical summits that they will carry with them forever. They overcame fears, found peace within themselves, and established a community that will reach far beyond their time in the mountains.
Through this transformative journey, Healing Base Camp families discovered the beauty of a life worth embracing, began to carve a new way forward, and consciously chose not to let their losses define the remainder of their lives.
As these 29 families return to a life of uncertainty, living in a warzone, they are now equipped with the tools essential to stride forward, one step, one mountain, one climb at a time. We believe in the future of Ukraine and they are the future – a new “greatest generation”!
This is just the beginning of our journey at Healing Base Camp. Stay tuned as we take a deeper look into the impact in the mountains.
Help us shine a light on this important work by sharing & tagging your favorite climb on social media! #HealingBaseCamp
