Wild Bear Lodge Wounded Veterans Programme 2023

Aim

Bringing wounded Ukrainian military veterans to Canada for wilderness skills training, recuperation and inspiration.

Wild Bear Vets 2023

In Autumn 2023 Wild Bear Lodge will run its second week-long wilderness veterans programme and its first specifically designed for those who have been wounded or injured on the battlefield in Ukraine.

The aim of the programme will be to give wounded vets wilderness skills that will help them to safely and confidently pursue outdoor and nature-based activities back in their home country.

The programme will also help participants to pass on the skills they have learned, and set up volunteer associations that promote and organise outdoor activities for other wounded vets.

Numerous studies have shown the benefits of time spent in nature and pursuing outdoor activities for those suffering physical and mental trauma.

Julius's Story

Julius, the owner of Wild Bear Lodge, moved to the wilderness in 2006 as a way of dealing with his own demons after 15 years working on the world’s frontlines as a war reporter. His story has featured on New Lives in the Wild with Ben Fogle and Return to the Wild.

In 2021 he ran a similar programme for British and Canadian veterans, which received a write-up in the Guardian. He recently travelled to Kyiv in Ukraine to meet wounded veterans and the medical professionals who are helping them recover.

This programme will be run in association with the Mindy Foundation, a Kyiv-based charity that helps injured veterans with physical and mental therapy and prosthetics.

Funding for the Project

Wild Bear Vets 2023 will be partially funded by Wild Bear Lodge, which will contribute GBP 15,792 in cash and kind. Janek Veeber of Estonia has contributed GBP 13,270. The rest - GBP 7,870 - will be financed with funds from other private donors.

(Please note that if for any reason this project is postponed  the funds raised will be rolled into a 2024 vets programme at Wild Bear Lodge. Any donations above and beyond those needed to run this programme also be put towards helping wounded Ukrainian veterans.)

This project successfully funded on 20th April 2023