Soldiers Freedom Outdoors acquires Camp Meridale as newest retreat location in Mississippi

Photo by Cayla Camp Burns/Content by Cayla

Soldiers Freedom Outdoors acquires Camp Meridale as newest retreat location in Mississippi

Kevin Wittenberg, Volunteer and combat Veteran shows the media around the acreage at Camp Meridale

Photo by Cayla Camp Burns

In the twilight hours of our nation's triumphs and trials, amidst the echoes of battles fought and victories won, lies a story often overlooked yet profoundly significant – the tale of our military veterans. These are the souls of those who have answered the call of duty, sacrificing comfort, security, and sometimes even their very lives in service to their country.

Yet, as the parades fade and the headlines change, a silent struggle persists – a struggle not of battlefields, but of minds and bodies scarred by the burdens of war. It is a narrative that underscores the imperative of honoring, supporting, and above all, caring for those who have borne the weight of defending our freedoms. For within their stories lie the lessons of resilience, courage, and the unwavering commitment to a cause greater than oneself – a cause that demands not just gratitude, but action.

This is where Soldiers Freedom Outdoors enters the picture.

In 2011, SFO, which is headquartered in Melrose, Florida and has a base in Petal, Mississippi embarked on a journey, delving into the depths of the experiences of our soldiers, and in doing so, discovered the profound importance of safeguarding the well-being of our veterans, for in their welfare lies the very soul of our nation's promise. In 2014, the organization was made into a public charity and more than a decade later, the mission remains intact: “Healing the Hidden Wounds of War.”

Soldiers Freedom Outdoors has diligently and meticulously sought after and acquired some of the best land our country has to offer, and the newest of that property – Camp Meridale, a former Girl Scout camp in Meridian – is now used to secure a safe haven for healing and a “home away from home” for our veterans and service members. The very homeland they fought to protect is now being given back to them in the form of no-cost retreats and outdoor activities geared towards eco-therapy.

Photo by Cayla Camp Burns features the signage at the entrance of Camp Meridale in Lauderdale county Meridian, MS currently reads “Fourth Day Ministries established in 1938”. This signage will be modified and new signage will be unveiled at the April 20th event to include Soldiers Freedom Outdoors.

“We have been looking for a permanent location for our Mississippi extension for about two years now.” said Daniel DiMarco, CEO and founder of the organization. “A veteran that had previously attended a retreat in Mississippi was visiting Camp Meridale with someone that our extension leader knows, and after they spoke with the owner about Soldiers Freedom Outdoors, we got in contact with him, and the doors opened.” Camp Meridale is situated on 44 acres of land in Lauderdale County just outside of the City of Meridian. Surrounding those 44 acres is another 126 acres that SFO has also acquired, for a total of two parcels and 170 acres of land. That land will be used for hunting, hiking, fishing and all things outdoors.

Photo by Cayla Camp Burns/Content by Cayla

The original grounds include a large lodge, which is being renovated to eventually use as the main housing for retreats, while the refurbished houses/cabins on site serve as Airbnb rentals and are utilized by staff, volunteers and used for smaller, more intimate retreats. Those Airbnb rentals have also served as passive residual income and now that money can be used for the buildout and maintenance of future operations.

Photo by Cayla Camp Burns/Content by Cayla of the dirt road entrance into the Meridale property.

The property also features the original dining hall, which will require major renovations and the organization plans to pursue those improvements with the help of outside funding provided once the building is established on the national landmark registry through the state of Mississippi.

Photo by Cayla Camp Burns/Content by Cayla of the original dining hall

Camp Meridale also features an outdoor amphitheater with stadium style seating that leads down to a stage overlooking the water; the stage is complete with an old rugged wooden cross. This area has been used in the past as an outdoor venue and sanctuary for fellowship and worship. This commons area is located in the center of the entire property and this is where large gatherings are historically held for those organizations who have made use of the property in the past, like the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Soldiers Freedom Outdoors will be using this space for similar activities moving forward.

Photo by Cayla Camp Burns/Content by Cayla

A dozen or so treehouses are tucked away just behind the main lodge, in a lightly wooded area, and according to stories and written testimonies by former girl scouts who went to Camp Meridale as a child, the tree houses were used to house the older girl scouts while on the other end of the property, tucked away behind “The Shack” are a few old school “Oregon Trail” wagons outfitted with electricity and bunks for the younger girls to camp out.

Here is a story that a blog writer published about her experience as a camper at Meridale back in the 1970’s.

Photo by Cayla Camp Burns/Content by Cayla

Each campsite on the property has its own facilities as far as power, showers and bathrooms are concerned, although those buildings and their amenities will need to undergo improvements before use of them in the future.

Photo by Cayla Camp Burns/Content by Cayla

Another area on site is called “Tent City,” which was used for outdoor camping in tents. Tent City includes two smaller buildings, one that says “Liberty” and another that says “Freedom” above the door, which were used for lodging.

Photo by Cayla Camp Burns/Content by Cayla

Kayaks and canoes are available on site for recreation, and there are two main bodies of water on the land, which include a lake on the north side of the property as well as a smaller one on the main premises where lodging is. Multiple waterfalls and freshwater springs sprout from the ground throughout the acreage, creating a beautiful scene that only Mother Nature can do.

Photo by Cayla Camp Burns/Content by Cayla

All Girl Scout memorabilia, from handprints to paint splatter in the bunkhouse sinks that once served as the arts and crafts building, will be preserved and kept intact and showcased for visitors who want to learn more about the history of Camp Meridale as it relates to the Girl Scouts of America and the many lives that were impacted in a positive way by having been a part of that history.

Photo by Cayla Camp Burns/Content by Cayla

“Camp Meridale is going to be a location that will mirror our Florida location... and will become one of our main locations,” DiMarco said. "Camp Meridale is going to allow us to continue our programs, hosting our service members and veterans on retreats and other outdoor activities. We will also be able to serve our military families with several different activities in the future."

Photo by Cayla Camp Burns/Content by Cayla

Back at their headquarters in Melrose, Florida, nestled amidst the serene landscapes, lies Camp Freedom — a sanctuary of solace and healing for our nation's veterans. Surrounded by the lush greenery of the Sunshine State, this retreat location features a large 350 acres where veterans can find respite from the tumult of their past experiences and connect with others who have similar experiences.

Photo courtesy of google maps

Camp Freedom provides a space for veterans to reconnect with nature, engage in therapeutic activities, and forge bonds of camaraderie with their fellow servicemen and women. It is here, amidst the rustling of leaves and the gentle lapping of water against the shore, where veterans have found renewal, for more than a decade, rediscovering a sense of peace and purpose as they journey towards healing and wholeness. SFO has invested in the mission of “Healing the Hidden Wounds of War” wholeheartedly, and they know the healing power that nature brings, because for a decade that healing power has been at work in Florida and is evidenced in the hundreds of testimonies that have been shared over the years by veterans and service members who have gone to retreats or events hosted by SFO.

Screenshot of a testimony taken from www.soldiersfreedomoutdoors.org

As a result, their lives have changed drastically and for the better. Camp Freedom now serves as a blueprint for success moving forward in the acquisition and buildout of future retreat locations like Camp Meridale. SFO and its team members understand what works and what hasn't worked for our veterans as far as their healing is concerned, and they have a plan to scale the positive things and facilitate those resources to better meet the needs of our soldiers, by any means necessary. “Steps are already in place: community outreach, advertising, sharing with the community and reaching out to news and radio stations to share what our vision is, starting with the unveiling of the sign and working together with local businesses,” DiMarco said.

Nature is a healing force that is often overlooked in traditional medicine, but our ancestors knew better - and in the past, retreating to the woods was a very common practice for treating trauma victims or those suffering from emotional instability or PTSD. The Mississippi extension for Soldiers Freedom Outdoors began in March of 2022, exactly two years ago.

The organization accomplishes their mission of “Healing the Hidden Wounds of War” by hosting multiple events and fundraisers like the Remember & Honor annual golf tournament that will be at Timberton Golf Course that is coming up in May and will be held in Hattiesburg at Timberton golf course this year.

Some of the other events that take place throughout the year include the Helping Our Heroes Awareness Walk & Family Fest, the annual 5k & 1 mile ruck, the annual charity slow-pitch softball tournament. The organization also holds an appreciation banquet each year in both states to reflect on the success of the year prior and to show gratitude for each and every individual involved in executing the mission of this organization.

Each year, SFO works within communities to forge new paths that will foster honor and healing for our service members and their families across the nation. In addition to no-cost retreats, the organization uses Camp Freedom and Camp Meridale for hunting trips, Blacksmithing 101 classes, military family water days, Horses for Heroes, horseback riding for military children. They also offer offshore fishing excursions throughout the year.

“We are now in another location that is located in the south central United States and we will be able to reach even more veterans,” DiMarco said. “Our goal is to leave no one behind.”

To help fund the Camp Meridale acquisition and to create and maintain the full scope of the mission, including improvements to the grounds and any added amenities, officials from Soldiers Freedom Outdoors will host an upcoming capital campaign in the near future. For a complete list of activities and to support the mission, visit www.soldiersfreedomoutdoors.org.

Press release for the upcoming unveiling event can be found attached.

Documents

CampMeridalepressrelease (1).pdf42.16 MB

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