HOUSE IN THE WOODS MILITARY AND FAMILY RETREAT

House in the Woods, Inc, A Military and Family Retreat received 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit business status on July 16, 2009 to provide a free educational, therapeutic, and recreational retreat in a safe and nurturing milieu to our nation's military, veterans, and military families. Our mission is to bring together and honor our nation’s heroes, U.S. service members who have served on active duty in defense of our American heritage—life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness--and their families..

House in the Woods seeks to become a key resource toward the readjustment and reintegration back into the culture and homes these soldiers have sacrificed of themselves to protect. Our goal is to create a caring and compassionate, paid and volunteer, workforce trained to challenge participants to work together to overcome injuries and traumas of their experiences.

Utilizing the natural healing powers of Maine’s outdoor heritage, HITW offers one - five-day outdoor programs to bring together small groups of active military, veterans, and their family members to relax, share, bond, and deal with the stress, loss, grief, and other emotions which can haunt the grieving soul. House in the Woods, Inc. shares with its participants canoeing, kayaking, hiking, hunting, fishing, nature tours, campfires, swimming, wildlife identification and spotting, and other natural eastern Maine resource “treasures” God has given our beautiful state to enjoy. Whether participants are sitting under the countless stars on a cloudless summer night or reflecting on their reflections in the glass-like stillness of a Maine pond during a 4am summer sunrise, there is a therapy in realizing one’s enduring place in eternity. As participants face the outdoor challenges presented by Mother Nature herself, they will derive a sense of accomplishment, find through exercise a release of stress, and have the opportunity to talk and share with one another laughter, memories, sorrow, service, and pride, among many other common bonds.

House in the Woods Military and Family Retreat is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of a 9 - 15 members who are mix of active duty military personnel, veterans, Gold Star family members, and professionals from the community. The officers are President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Our ByLaws say that officers and members will be voted on annually.