LEXINGTON, Ky. — With its property, Camp Hero invites people to McKee, Kentucky, for a life-changing retreat.

The camp provides veterans and first responders with survival skills such as knife work, shelter-building and sleep safety. It's where mental health leaders and outdoors specialists are working to break a stigma. 

“Once you have (post-traumatic stress disorder), you're just done," said Jessica Wiggington, licensed clinical social worker. "Like, it's there; it's forever. You're going to suffer with it the same until the end of your life, which often comes earlier than the natural end of your life should be."

"We want to get the message out that you can do something about it. We can reduce the symptoms; we can change the score.”

Craig Caudill, director of Winchester's Nature Reliance School, partners with Camp Hero for nature immersion therapy.

Since 2019, Camp Hero has welcomed fire, police and health departments, plus veterans, to the site for nature therapy. (Spectrum News 1/Sabriel Metcalf)

“Running Nature Reliance School, we spent a lot of time, 100, 150 nights a year, where I'm out doing either video work for my company or training others," Caudill said.

ATV rides, hunting, fishing and constant conversations while hiking through Kentucky are part of each experience. Therapists and professionals assist with each project and challenging topic. 

John Cline connected with Camp Hero founder Rocco Besednjak in 2020 on a retreat with Kentucky's wounded heroes. 

Now, years later, Cline has made it out to Camp Hero. He said it provides a special outlet for people who often put others' lives first. 

“The camaraderie of having common experiences that help you through that and fortunately allow you to share what you've experienced and how you prepare your life, to share those with others that may know nothing about this,” said Cline, a 28-year-veteran.  

More on Camp Hero can be found on its website.