Equine Warrior Weekend Program

“Working with my horse as a non-judgmental partner helped to relieve my stress. Being able to “go back” to the time spent here, allows me to find peacefulness whenever I need it.”

“My home and work life are in constant turmoil. Looking forward to the time I’m going to spend with the horses, is almost as exhilarating as actually being with them. The sense of calmness and tranquility that they bring me, is a much-needed respite from my chaotic life. The combination of horses and being in nature, provides a peacefulness within me that nothing else can duplicate.”

FIT (FAMILIES IN TRANSITION)

“The program exceeded our expectations, by the amount of time allotted for children to ride. It was well above and beyond our expectations to be fed dinner and receive a free water bottle. Thank you!”

“Without getting too emotional, this camp was everything we needed. My kids loved being with other military kids and I immediately felt supported by other military spouses. This camp was incredible and more than we could have asked for. Thank you so much for this. You don’t know how much we needed this.”

“Stress level is always high in the military and being thousands of miles away from family, these experiences are always a great way to slow things down and reconnect with family.”

Searching For Meaning

“Allow yourself grace, space, and time to heal.”

“I have a greater sense of peace and contentment after completing this program.”

Regroup

“I took away that you can influence your body’s processes deliberately through breathing and meditation.”

Reboot

“I have learned so much in this class. I learned to prioritize myself because if I don’t take care of myself,

I won’t be able to take care of my family.

“I learned a lot about breathing exercises which I can do anywhere to calm myself and feel better.”

Family Program

“You always go above and beyond to make sure the families have fun and feel welcome.”

“This week was amazing and beyond my expectations. We love how much time we got with the horses, but also, how much time we had to make friends with the other families.” (FIT)

“We expected to spend some time together as a family getting to take care of horses. But this week far exceeded this experience. We got to know wonderful families and grew closer to the community. (FIT)

“Being in the National Guard is a different experience than living on a base with other military families. This experience made us feel a sense of military community we don’t typically get.”

“My daughter made a new friend and I also met some new people and learned their stories.”

“Everything was perfect!”

Couples Program

“We learned that we’re good at handling the informational portion of running a family but need to include more thankfulness and hope.”

“This weekend offered us a unique and long overdue opportunity for examining our relationship in an uninterrupted and focused way.”

“Everyone felt down to earth and just like us.”

“We all have our challenges in this life, but we can all get through it together as a big United military family.”

Spouses

“Meeting new and old friends… It’s great to talk with other people who understand you.”

“I relate to both the struggles and the commitment to being a military spouse through difficult times and challenging circumstances. I also relate to the humor we share about how to be the spouse we want to be while also meeting our own needs as an individuals. The importance of family always shines through our conversation.”

Veterans

“We are not alone. Military life isn’t easy, but many families face the same challenges that we do.”

“There was great comradaery with wonderful people I just met.”

“There are a lot of nonprofit organizations that talk a good game. HIT delivers!”

“It was a fun time meeting other veterans and being stress free.”

“What I most related to was the openness of fellow veterans as we freely discussed some of our military past.”

Veteran

[I enjoyed] meeting new people, learning the history of the creek. Learning about the wildlife in the area e.g. Osprey (nest), crabs, the tide. Conversations with the guides was great.

Veteran

My biggest takeaway was how much fun we had doing an outdoor activity together as a group. I have a comfort level participating in events with veterans and active duty that I don’t feel with general public.

Veteran

I had never been in the Pavillion or gone to a P Bruins game so it was something new for me and i enjoyed the entire experience. [I liked] That everyone was a veteran in the group.

Veteran

It was a fun time meeting other veterans and being stress free. Definitely was a safe space to share anything.

Customer

It was good to be around other military families going through similar things.

Customer

Family & military community time is very fulfilling.

Customer

Quality family time!!

Customer

Seeing my family enjoy themselves outside the home was amazing. It was our 1st time there and it was very memorable and something I wanted to check off the list to do. We enjoyed time together & getting to know other military families from the area.

Customer

It was great celebrating the military family and getting together for a fun event! We had fun on the ice….would love to do it again!

Customer

We enjoyed spending some fun time with our family, working as a team to solve a puzzle.

Customer

It was very fun! And the Smith Family Popcorn treat was a fun surprise! Thank you again!!

Customer

We had a lot of fun working together with a new family! Having children around the same age with the family we paired up with was really nice.

Customer

Getting to work closely with another family whom we were not familiar with was nice. We had a blast, the kids talked about the event the whole way home.

Customer

Teamwork was necessary and this was a good reminder that everyone in the family unit is essential.

Customer

It was a lot a fun working together with not just our family but another to solve the escape room. You always go above and beyond to make sure the families have fun and feel welcome.

Customer

This type of event is a great way to create family memories!

Customer

It felt like a mini community of people. Everyone was very welcoming even though we only knew one other family there. I could relate to the other families trying to enjoy their families without extra outside stress

Customer

Understanding that although our veterans are no longer serving, their time in is still very much a part of who they are and as spouses we need to consider that when we are seeing their thought patterns or behaviors which may seem somewhat put of the ordinary compared to a civilian.

Customer

It is always great to learn or try something new and I like that the groups activities have sometimes been outside of my normal experiences. I think everything is so fun that we dont generally spend time being serious and working on relationship type things. It is fine to keep it fun but maybe finding time to do things to learn more about maintaining marriages.

Customer

The retreat was an amazing way to reconnect, to relearn our love languages since they had changed since our previous time doing it, and to show each other how important it is to have that one on one time and to be ourselves instead of being parents or workers or whatever title we hold outside of our relationship.

Customer

It has been great to find the support of others who have been though similar situations in our pasts and who are currently in similar positions as us now.

Customer

The couples weekend it was the first event we ever attended. We did things we would never do and felt close to everyone. We look forward to the next time we see everyone.

Customer

The couple’s retreat changed everything for us and brought us close together when we were falling apart. It was helpful hearing other people’s stories and realizing we aren’t the only ones.

Customer

I think the value of ongoing relationships that deepen over time has been the greatest take away for me. I am glad that I made the Coffee Chat connection and found the unique support that this group can provide.

Customer

My biggest take away from today’s Coffee Chat is that I am not alone. While I am not looking for a “quick fix” to the challenges I face, it is comforting to hear that others can relate to my experience.

Customer

Being in a judge free & supportive environment. Feeling understood by others that “just get it.” Also utilizing the book about PTSD to spur conversation was a good idea.

Customer

I like that it’s always a different topic and a check in. That it’s a place to bring anything to the table.

Customer

It was eye opening to learn that my husband’s feelings related to his disability and how he is frustrated are experienced by many men who served.

Customer

As we revisit the book GRACE TRAIL, it reminds me of the importance of being reflective and finding time to refuel myself so that I can give to others. Remembering to use what I have learned was my biggest take away today. Setting goals or intentions for the week ahead helps me move forward.

Customer

This is one of the few places where I feel I can share and not be judged. Sharing and learning from others what they are doing to deal with situations is helpful.

Customer

It was great to be surrounded by other military spouses and learn a little about this beautiful place we have the opportunity to live in for a few years! I was able to connect with other women being in a similar situation to myself!

Customer

I learned that there is a large & supportive spouse community here on the Cape. That I am not alone in trying to meet people and make friends.

Customer

It was wonderful feeling NOT alone. Just being able to explain my feelings related to myself and to my spouse’s military experiences.

Customer

Met new friends and a beautiful view! It was perfect!

Customer

HIT is always a safe place for me. I’m so grateful that this is a resource for our family while we’re stationed here. Being so far away from family right now has been tough and HIT provides a home away from home with their community.

Customer

After the last two years with between the pandemic and trying to keep up military life and family life, I felt like I finally had the opportunity to connect and make new friends. It was exactly what I needed!

Customer

It was a lot of fun and a safe space to fail! Very peaceful.

Customer

I related most to the other military spouses and the parallels in their lives and mine.

Customer

I loved learning how to paddle board and loved meeting new women. It was definitely a space open for sharing.

Customer

This was a fun new experience with ladies living a similar lifestyle. Everything was wonderful. Thank you so much!

Customer

Family is important, but we need to care for ourselves as well. Sharing life experiences with others who get it was refreshing.

Customer

It was relaxing!!

Customer

Connecting with people was fantastic!

Customer

This has been the closest connection I have ever felt with military spouses. I had previously felt a disconnect, like being on the outside looking in. I felt my experience was unique and that my struggles were mine alone. Now I have friends that I look forward to seeing weekly and know I could call on at any time. I feel l have something to give to the group and much to gain from the group. I have come to truly appreciate these women and am extremely grateful for our time together.

Customer

I am just so happy that this group exists and allows women and families to make connections. There were so many coastie wives there! It’s super rare so it was nice to be around those who are in the same situation as me! Keep the events coming! 🙂

Customer

It’s wonderful getting to share and meet new spouses. Always a safe place to share and support each other.

Customer

I loved getting together with old friends and making new connections! I felt like we all had a connection and know what is feels like to move a lot and be away from family.

Customer

This had a good sense of community, and I could relate to the demands other spouses felt from military life.

Customer

It was nice learning and hearing stories from the other spouses.

Customer

I loved the relaxed feel of the event. Wouldn’t change anything.

Customer

Good way to connect with ladies who have similar experiences.

Customer

I relate to both the struggles and the commitment to being a military spouse through difficult times and challenging circumstances. I also relate to the humor we share about how to be the spouse we want to be while also meeting our own needs as an individual. The importance of family always shines through our conversation.

Customer

I appreciated being in a place of belonging. A safe space to be me. It was a wonderful day out with new friends.

Customer

Ride away was awesome. Their guides were so helpful and informative. I actually reached out to them the next day about going out again.

Customer

My favorite part was doing something together that we have never done before and meeting new couples with similar life issues. We were fortunate to meet another couple that had similar issues we did so it was nice to be able to talk and laugh with them.

Customer

It was my wife first time kayaking and she was really nervous. She learned how enjoyable and relaxing it can be from this experience and we recommend it to all military couples.

Customer

It was awesome to be able to spend time with my husband while being able to make connections with fellow Military couples. Always feels like a safe space and was a perfect night.

Customer

We enjoyed meeting new people, growing together as a couple, doing things together, learning a little history, and for two hours not thinking of the stresses in life.

Customer

Meeting new couples and spending time with those we already know was a lot of fun! Everyone was very open and excited to be there.

Customer

It was nice to take time for your spouse and friends. Taking time for ourselves is good for the soul.

Customer

It was great connecting with others and playing games with new friends.

Customer

We had fun meeting with other couples and enjoyed the cozy, home feel. That was something we’ve been missing!