For million of veterans in the U.S., returning to civilian life can involve difficult adjustments. Some 7% struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder and many more deal with both mental and physical issues as a result of their service. For the past 30 years, the Salvation Army’s New Jersey Division has partnered with the East Orange and Lyons Veterans Affairs medical centers to host veterans and their families for stays at summer camp, free of charge, to have a healing experience in nature.
At Camp Tecumseh, “We have basketball, we have kickball, we have fishing, we have arts and crafts. This year we started a game of bumper ball and put everyone in giant hamster balls, and play soccer,” said Heather Green, the state director, human services with the Salvation Army-NJ. The camp doesn’t just offer fun activities — veterans and their families are also offered peer support meetings that they say have been critical to their recovery.
