By: Tammy Smith, Outing Leader, Sierra Club Military Outdoors and U.S. Navy Veteran
On Friday evening, we were a group of strangers carrying bags into cabins. Within hours, we were sharing dinner and trading stories. By the time the games wound down at 2 am, we were laughing like old friends.
Nobody planned it that way. Conversation simply showed up. It was easy, it was funny, and it felt natural. When veterans and their families spend time together outdoors, our shared experience does the work. Our guards come down quickly, and before long we are talking about what we have in common: the lives we have lived, the moves, the deployments, the uniforms, and the people who stood beside us.
Camp Immokalee sits right on Lake Brooklyn, and the setting was a gift. Oaks draped in Spanish moss shaded the cabins, and the lake was never far from view. Cranes strolled through the trees like they owned the place, and a goat and a horse at the barn greeted anyone who stopped by. Every walk felt like a small reward. That is exactly the kind of place we want more veterans and families to experience.
The days that followed had plenty to choose from. Some of us zip lined, paddled kayaks, and tried archery. Some of us kicked back and soaked it all in. Both were welcome, and both counted. I spent part of Saturday in a hammock by the lake with my feet up, and I would not trade that hour for anything.
This was the fourth Veterans Retreat, and the first to run from Friday through Sunday. The extra day gave friendships room to grow, and it showed.
The YMCA retreat staff deserve special thanks. From the moment we arrived, they were warm, cheerful, and attentive, and they handled every detail so the rest of us never had to think about logistics. Nothing felt like too much to ask. They treated us like guests they were truly happy to have, and that made all the difference. And the food? Every meal was delicious, and the dining hall became the heart of the weekend, full of laughter and second helpings.
None of this happens without partners. The Sierra Club and the First Coast YMCA have joined forces to support the wellbeing of service members, veterans and their families by spending time outdoors. Here at home, that means Sierra Club Military Outdoors working alongside the First Coast YMCA. Without that partnership, this weekend would not exist.
If you are active duty, a veteran, or part of a military family, we would love to see you out there. You can find all of our outings on Meetup. Just search for Sierra Club Military Outdoors. Families are welcome too.
I am grateful for the experience, and grateful to have seen firsthand what this partnership makes possible. Thank you to Necoia Shavers, the First Coast YMCA, and every member of the retreat staff who made us feel so welcome. And thank you to Noreen Mansfield, my fellow outing leader, for helping make this weekend happen.
This Veterans Day, we honor those who served and the families beside them.
All military members, veterans and their families are invited to visit the First Coast YMCA free throughout November.
Come find a routine you enjoy, spend time with your family and meet people who are glad you’re here. Whether you’re new to the area or have called Northeast Florida home for years, we’d love to welcome you.
When you join, we’ll waive your joining fee—a savings of up to $100. We also offer exclusive military membership and program rates to help you stay connected to the Y.
Nearly 200,000 active-duty military personnel and veterans call Northeast Florida home. As an Armed Services YMCA affiliate, the First Coast YMCA serves 10,000 military-connected individuals each year, supporting those who serve, those who have served, and the families beside them.
