The Freedom 13 is developing its first 171-acre healing camp in Bourbon, Missouri, as part of a vision to establish 50 retreats supporting veterans, law enforcement, and Gold Star families.
— The Freedom 13 is advancing plans for a network of recreational mental health healing camps, beginning with a 171-acre property in Bourbon, Missouri, where the nonprofit aims to create a place of respite, connection, and renewed well-being for veterans, law enforcement officers, and Gold Star families.
The Missouri project marks the first step in the organization’s long-term goal of establishing 50 healing camps across the United States, one in each state. The initiative is designed to give military veterans, first responders, and families who have lost loved ones in service an opportunity to step away from everyday pressures, spend time with their families, and reconnect with people who understand their experiences.
Founded by Mark Schmitz and co-founder Jaclyn Schmitz following the death of their son, Marine Lance Corporal Jared M. Schmitz, The Freedom 13 seeks to honor his memory and the 12 other American service members killed in the August 26, 2021, suicide bombing at Abbey Gate in Kabul, Afghanistan. The organization’s mission centers on remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice by supporting the veterans, law enforcement officers, and families who continue to live with the consequences of service and loss.
“Our goal is to give these families a place where they can take a knee, catch their breath, and spend time with people who understand what they’ve been through,” says Mark Schmitz, founder of The Freedom 13. “Sometimes, stepping away from the pressures of everyday life and reconnecting with family and others who share similar experiences can be an important part of moving forward.”
The first camp in Bourbon occupies 171 acres and includes existing homes, a stocked fishing lake, recreational facilities, and trails. The organization plans to develop the property into a retreat with 13 homes, reflecting the 13 American service members whose deaths inspired its founding. Two homes on the property are currently fully furnished, and the organization recently broke ground on three additional houses: a one-bedroom, a two-bedroom, and a three-bedroom home. These homes are expected to be completed in February 2027, with The Freedom 13 planning to begin welcoming guests in the first quarter of 2027. Fundraising will continue to support construction of the remaining eight homes.
The accommodations are intended to serve veterans and their immediate families, law enforcement personnel and their families, as well as Gold Star families. Each participating family is envisioned to have access to a weeklong stay, offering time for rest, outdoor recreation, and shared experiences away from familiar routines. Activities planned across the camps include fishing, hiking, swimming, and other family-oriented recreation. The organization also intends to work with independent, qualified service providers to connect participants with resources addressing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicide prevention, and other mental health needs, along with service-dog placement support.
The approach recognizes that support can take different forms. Professional services remain important for people experiencing mental health challenges, while time with family, opportunities for recreation, and relationships with others who understand military or first-responder life may offer additional forms of support. The camps are intended to complement available resources, not replace professional mental health care.
The Freedom 13’s wider vision calls for 50 properties spanning more than 50,000 acres, with 13 homes planned for each location. Reaching that goal will require sustained fundraising, property development, volunteer participation, and partnerships with businesses and philanthropic supporters. The organization is seeking contributions and corporate sponsorships to help advance construction at the Missouri site and lay the groundwork for future camps.
“We want people to understand that this mission is about more than building houses on a piece of land,” Schmitz says. “It is about creating places where veterans, officers, and families can spend meaningful time together, build friendships and begin creating positive memories. We cannot change what happened to our families, but we can work to make a difference for others.”
Supporters can contribute through one-time gifts, recurring donations, corporate partnerships, legacy giving, and volunteer work. The organization also welcomes people with relevant construction, maintenance, and other practical skills who want to help develop and maintain the properties.
As the Bourbon property moves toward its planned expansion and opening in 2027, The Freedom 13 is working to turn a memorial mission into a tangible resource for families who have served, protected, and sacrificed. Its ambition is to build a place in every state where a week away can provide room to rest, reconnect, and take the next step forward.
Contact Info:
Name: Mark Schmitz
Email: Send Email
Organization: The Freedom 13
Website: https://www.thefreedom13.org/
Release ID: 89207532
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