2019 Veterans Ice Camp

The Camp History:

In 1926, the Disabled Veterans Rest Camp (DVRC) started from a local farm that was donated to help disabled veterans recover from World War I.  The original main farmhouse was converted to a dormitory-type house for these shell-shocked veterans.  During WW II, shell-shocked was called battle fatigue; today it is called post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  Though the years the camp’s main focus of providing rest and recreation for military and veterans has not changed, only the names of the campground and of disabled veterans’ afflictions. 

     Today the campground is open to all military veterans who are currently serving or have been Honorably Discharged, veteran families, and sponsored guests of the veteran.  The campground has a wide variety of recreational activities for the entire family, to include camping (cabins, tents, and RV sites), boating, fishing, tubing, swimming, softball, volleyball, horseshoes, canteen, game room, lending library, and a spacious outdoor pavilions for parties, reunions, gatherings, and picnics.  

Our trip:

TLS Veterans Outdoors had the honor to host 4 Army, 4 Navy and 1 Air Force on this outing. 3 Veterans from Healing Patriots joined us. Our 4 days/3 nights took us out in the frigid winter temps hovering around 0 degrees. The ice fishing was hit and miss but the warm shanties provided by TLS Veterans and LOFTech kept us warm the entire time. The camp Canteen kept us entertained Friday night.  Anchors End tattoo rep, and Army veteran, Joe Trowbridge provided us with a home cooked prime rib dinner Saturday night! Morning breakfast in the cabins and games at night provided the right atmosphere for camaraderie and brotherhood.