Operation Bootcamp

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Operation Boot Camp - A Weekend Event for Military Families -
October 17-20, 2019

Operation Boot Camp provides an extended weekend getaway for active duty, reserve or veteran personnel and their families to:

* Connect through shared experiences
* Encourage spiritual growth & emotional strength
* Celebrate their military heritage

With a great mix of speakers, breakout sessions, activities for the whole family, good food and down time, military families will connect on a deeper level. Everyone from the service member to the spouse to the kids will gain understanding, grace, pride, and validation for their special part in their family.

Operation Boot Camp is organized by a team of military families who see a need to reach out to other military families and personnel to connect, encourage, and celebrate the unique experiences of military life - past and present.

Weekend Highlights

* Speakers Phil Downer will be speaking at five main sessions.

* Special life stories shared from veterans spanning generations.

* Breakout sessions for the men, women and the children separately will help foster relationships and enable guests to connect on a deeper level.

* Family recreational options will include boating, hiking, archery, and organized family challenges.

* Relaxing evenings will enable you to spend quality family time and connect with other families over a campfire or drink from our Coffee Shop.

Speaker: Phil Downer, Marine Machine Gunner, 2d Bn, 5th Marines, Vietnam 1967-1968

Drawing on his combat experience in Vietnam, Phil explains how he came home and applied the Core Values of the Marine Corps to his education and profession, but left in his wake a trail of broken relationships and moments of indiscretion, having left the core values without applying them to his personal life. Phil Downer is a Marine Machine Gunner, Combat Veteran from Vietnam, lawyer, author, father and grandfather who has spoken to more than 227,848 members of the military since 2003.

Phil shares how the invaluable lessons he learned from the lives of those who led him and fought with him in combat contributed to restoring a broken marriage and damaged relationships with his children and also helped him rebuild relationships in his professional life as a trial lawyer and author of nine books.

Accommodations

Our Standard Cabins are available to Operation Boot Camp guests. Each family unit comes with a double bed, bunk beds, and a private bath. Towels/bedding not provided. Each cabin sleeps up to nine people.

Lodge Rooms are available on a limited basis for an additional fee of $75 (towels and linens included).

Itinerary

Thursday, October 17th
5:30 to 7 p.m. - Registration
7:00 p.m. - Welcome & Orientation

Friday, October 18th
8:00 a.m. - Breakfast
9:00 a.m. - Sessions/Breakouts*
12:00 p.m. - Lunch - followed by recreation**
5:00 p.m. - Supper
6:00 p.m. - Session, followed by evening activities

Saturday, October 19th
8:00 - Breakfast
9:00 - Sessions/Breakouts
12:00 - Lunch - followed by recreation
5:00 - Supper
6:00 - Session, followed by evening activities

Sunday, October 20th
8:00 - Sweet Rolls & Coffee
8:30 - Worship
9:15 - Session
10:30 - Brunch
12:00 - Departure

* Nursery and age-appropriate groups for children are available during all sessions and breakouts.
** Recreational options include boating, hiking, archery and organized family competitions.

Service animals are permitted, but please notify Forest Springs in advance.

Cost & Event Sponsors:

The cost of this event is underwritten by businesses and personal donations. A deposit of $50 is necessary with each registration form. It is non-refundable on cancellation, but refunded at the time of check in.

Interested in helping to underwrite this event? Please visit our donation page and select "Military Family Retreat/Operation Boot Camp." Click here.

2018 event was underwritten by the following sponsors:

A donation of any amount will help military families experience a great weekend away.

Donate Here!