Summer Highlights from Base Camp Jimmy
Our 10th summer here at Base Camp Jimmy unfolded in ways that brought meaningful growth and genuine reconnection. We are proud to share that through our work together, we continue to walk alongside Special Operations Forces (SOF) families and Gold Star Sons and Daughters on their journey towards healing.
This summer began with alumni who returned to raise tipis and clear trails, giving back to the place and people who shaped their own paths. Parents and children then joined us to rediscover one another through challenges that fostered teamwork and trust. We also celebrated our 12th annual summer camp for Gold Star Children and their mentors, honoring the legacies of their Fallen parents while fulfilling our commitment to support these young individuals through major milestones beyond their time at The Station.
These lived experiences strengthen bonds and restore hope within our SOF community. As we look back on this remarkable summer, we are deeply grateful to all our supporters whose generosity and belief in our mission make this crucial work possible. Your continued support allows The Station to create these moments for connection, healing, and growth.
–The Station Team
Operation Recall
The first highlight of The Station’s summer programming is our Alumni Giveback initiative, Operation Recall, where past participants return to Base Camp Jimmy to lend a hand, reconnect, and pay it forward. Our alumni helped us prepare for the upcoming youth programs by setting up the tipis, building out program spaces, and blazing the SOCOM (Special Operations Command) Trail. Building the SOCOM Trail was a special way for our alumni to honor the community, work together, and create something lasting for future participants. Every section of the path carved by our alumni reflects the teamwork that defines our culture at Base Camp Jimmy.
Restore
During Restore, SOF families strengthened parent-child bonds through immersive experiences designed to reveal personal strengths and foster deeper connections. The program combined comprehensive survival training with a realistic mission scenario in a relaxed environment where families grew closer.
A powerful component of Restore involved parents writing heartfelt letters to their children – sharing memories, lessons, and encouragement that might not always surface in daily life. This process, alongside shared challenges, allowed parents to introduce their children to the Special Operations community in meaningful ways. Through these letters and shared experiences, children gained a deeper understanding of their parents’ values, resilience, and sense of purpose. In doing so, they discovered similar strengths within themselves. Families returned home with enhanced communication skills and stronger relationships which will support their journey forward together.
The Crossing
This year, The Crossing continued to unite Gold Star Sons and Daughters with mentors who served alongside their Fallen parents. As participants matured and their needs changed, so did the program. The Crossing evolved to meet them where they are while still providing consistent guidance throughout their journey.
With the support of Gallatin County’s Search and Rescue team, participants learned new outdoor survival skills. They also completed a challenging 12-mile hike that showcased their strengths. During the hike, participants carried their own gear and were held accountable for their essentials. In doing so, they recognized that while life’s burdens may be heavy, they do not have to hold us back. These new activities further reinforced the core values that define The Crossing — self-reliance, teamwork, and responsibility.
At the heart of this experience was the Honor Hike on our Memorial Trail, where mentor-child pairs placed personalized tribute rocks at the summit cairn. Through shared stories and memories, this meaningful ritual served as a way to help participants transform grief into connection while building emotional regulation and self-awareness skills, preparing them to manage life’s future challenges.
Thank You To Our Summer Partners
Each year, we are grateful to the many partners who give their time and energy to make each summer at Base Camp Jimmy possible. We want to highlight those who have made these summer experiences possible for our SOF participants.
At this year’s Alumni Giveback, we were grateful to have both OBOZ Footwear and Hearts & Science on site at Base Camp Jimmy. OBOZ helped build the new SOCOM Trail, bringing energy, resources, and passion to our work. Meanwhile, Hearts & Science worked alongside us to prepare our facility for welcoming summer campers. We are thankful for the hands-on support and dedication of both organizations.
We also express our deepest gratitude to SEAL Family Foundation for continuing to stand by our mission. Their partnership made it possible for our Navy SEAL active duty families and Gold Star Children to participate in Restore and The Crossing, offering this community access to these summer healing experiences.
These partnerships represent a shared belief in the power of community and homecoming. Their contributions left a lasting impact on our mission, ensuring that warriors and their families not only return home but truly find a sense of belonging within themselves and with one another.
Thank you for your continued support in making this possible. Your generosity provides powerful experiences that help Special Operations Forces—Warriors, Spouses, Children, and Gold Star Children— heal from the impacts of combat.
To learn more about supporting The Station, email Shannon Stacy at: sstacy@thestationfoundation.org
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