National Wellness Month
Most Defenders of our nation and our community have their own personal experiences in challenges or traumas, growth or wellness in life.
With August being National Wellness Month, we can re-focus on self-care, stress reduction, and overall wellness. It is a reminder to take care of ourselves physically, mentally, and emotionally. This month is also a time to reflect on our habits, perhaps set new goals for our health and well-being, and more importantly, reinforce positive habits.
Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) refers to the positive changes that individuals experience when accounting for life’s experiences that may have been challenging or even traumatic. While trauma can be incredibly difficult to endure, it can also lead to growth and positive change. Research indicates that people who experience post-traumatic growth often report increased new possibilities, personal strength, and a greater appreciation for life.
We are constantly rising above the stigma of PTSD with opportunities to achieve PTG here at the Big Red Barn Retreat, join us in the fight of getting after you and your Family's wellness... not just this month but for the rest of your life, be sure to make today just a little better than yesterday…and start today!
Lamont CHRIS Christian
Director; Warrior PATHH Program
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Fort Jackson Hall of Fame Honors BRBR Director, Lamont Christian
The Big Red Barn Retreat is proud to announce that CSM (Ret.) Lamont Christian has been inducted into the Fort Jackson Hall of Fame. Chris is also the SC Department of Veterans Affairs Quarter Two Veteran of the Quarter and he is in the running to become the South Carolina Veteran of the Year.
Chris has served as the Warrior PATHH Program Director for the Big Red Barn Retreat since 2019. He has since been helping to lead the way to shift the narrative from PTSD to Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) for veterans, active duty service members, and first responders in the Carolinas and beyond. Through programs like Warrior PATHH and Struggle Well he and his team of guides are changing lives and Helping Heroes Thrive. Chris is also currently serving as the BRBR’s Interim Executive Director.
Thank you, Chris, for all you do for our military and first responders, this honor is well-deserved.
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Register Today for the BRBR Charity Golf Tournament at Charwood Golf Club | |
Join us for the Annual Big Red Barn Retreat Charity Golf Tournament at Charwood Golf Course on Monday, September 18, 2023, benefiting the Big Red Barn Retreat and presented by Sonic.
Following the tournament, attendees will be treated to a Lowcountry Shrimp Boil lunch prepared by Farm to Flame Chef and former Warrior PATHH Guide, Jason N. Dersch! This event will not be one to miss. Using a “Captain’s Choice” format, there are plenty of opportunities to let loose, win some amazing prizes, and have tons of fun all while supporting the BRBR.
We will have lots of great prizes, raffles, and more!
Sponsorships are available, reserve yours today! Click Here for sponsorship package.
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Fall Jam 2023: Featuring Chris Janson Live at Segra Park on October 7th. | |
The Big Red Barn Retreat is excited to announce Chris Janson as our featured artist for the 2023 Fall Jam at the Ballpark!
Janson is a platinum-selling, high-octane entertainer, award-winning singer/songwriter, and the youngest living member of the Grand Ole Opry.
You will not want to miss the Big Red Barn Retreat's largest Fundraiser of the year! The 2023 Fall Jam at the Ballpark at Segra Park and presented by Sonic Drive-ins.
Want to see your Company's Name and Logo on the big screen at Segra Park? So do we!! Reserve your sponsorship today! Click Here to learn more.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
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Gervais Street Bridge Dinner
The Gervais Street Bridge Dinner is an annual community event that raises funds for local non-profits.
The Big Red Barn Retreat is honored to be chosen as one of this year’s beneficiaries. If you are interested in attending the dinner subscribe at the link below as tickets typically sell out very fast.
https://www.gervaisstreetbridgedinner.com/
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Healing Arts Workshops & Events | |
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Join board-certified art therapist and emotional wellness coach Mary How, MA, ATR-BC, as she leads participants in this 8-week group for veterans and first responders.
Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and manage your own emotions in order to effectively manage yourself and your relationships. This is key to success in life and work. Group participants will meet for 2 hours weekly to learn how to combine art-making and coping skills to increase emotional intelligence, emotional regulation and mindfulness for personal well-being and healthy leadership.
Emotional intelligence will be held Sept. 18-Oct. 30th on Mondays from 12-2pm. This class is for veterans and first responders only. All materials will be included and participation is on a first-come first-serve basis.
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Beyond Music is a music therapy course facilitated by Laura Theismann, MT-BC with Capital City Therapy Group, and co-facilitated by Warrior PATHH Guide and retired USAF Veteran, Lenny Hyland.
During the course, participants will learn how to use music for their continued well-being at home. Group members will experience a variety of music-based activities designed to deepen their understanding of music and self-care, develop skills for resiliency, and use music to grow through past experiences that may still be impacting their lives. No musical skills are required for participation.
Beyond Music will be held Sept. 7th - Oct. 26th on Thursdays from 12:30-2:30pm. This is an 8-week program for Veterans, Active Duty and First Responders. Space is limited so sign up today.
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Calling all BRBR Artists!
Heroes Art Show
701 Whaley
Submission Deadline: September 1st
The Heroes Art Show will bring awareness to the Big Red Barn Retreat by featuring the works of amateur artists who have participated in the programs or services at the Big Red Barn Retreat. Heroes/Artists (Veterans and First Responders) may submit their Original two-dimensional work including paintings, pastels, drawings, printmaking, photography, digital imaging, and mixed media. The space is limited to only 22 pieces, so we cannot guarantee that all submissions will be displayed. All art pieces must remain on display for the month of October and November.
Please note: thehallway:communityart at 701 Whaley is a public gallery and we ask that submitted works not be considered offensive to the general public. If there are questions about appropriateness, email images to mary@fullcircleprograms.com.
If you have never displayed your art before and have questions, feel free to contact Mary How at mary@fullcircleprograms.com
Click Here to Learn More
Click Here to Register
Fill out the consent form Here and return to Mary How at mary@fullcircleprogram.com
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Art Therapy, Music Therapy, and iRest Yoga Nidra are funded thanks to a grant from Lululemon!
Thank you!
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Join us for the BRBR's Monthly
Form Up Friday
Form Up Fridays allows the participant to learn and apply skills through Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) and is based on the principles of posttraumatic growth. EAL is an experiential approach to learning that leverages the unique qualities of horses to enhance self-awareness, facilitate emotional regulation, and improve interpersonal relationships. The goal is to facilitate personal growth and develop life skills that enhance relationships in all areas of the participant’s life.
Veterans and first responders who participate in EAL programs like Form Up Fridays experience noticeable improvements in physical, mental, and emotional health. Use the buttons below to sign up for our upcoming Form Up Fridays class sessions on August 25th and September 22nd!
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Cake Decorating Class
Join us for a special Farm To Table workshop on Cake Decorating with special guest Ruth Drennan, a pastry chef and cake designer. The workshop will focus on cake decorating techniques including crumb coat, icing, piping, and rose swirl.
All equipment will be provided for the workshop. In addition, there will be a break for lunch, which will be provided by Farm to Flame Chef, Jason Dersch, and co-facilitator of the workshop.
Sunday | August 20 | 10:00-3:00
This workshop is Free and open to only Veterans, Active Duty and First Responders only and class space is limited, so click the button below to register today.
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Farm to Table with Chef Jason Dersch | | |
Click Here to Download PDF of the Recipe | |
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On Saturday, September 30th, the Big Red Barn Retreat will be hosting our next Farm to Table Cooking Class. The class will be taught by Jason Dersch, former PATHH Guide and Professional Chef, whose goal of this program is to help the Warrior community connect with each other through the power of nutrition.
Saturday | September 30 | 4:00 - 7:00PM
Veterans and First Responders are eligible to participate in this class. Spouses may also attend, as long as they fill out their own registration form and attend the class with the Veteran or First Responder. Farm to Table cooking classes fill up quickly, so please be advised that you may be asked to participate in a later course due to capacity.
| The Farm To Table program is supported through grant funding from Colonial Life. Thank you! | | |
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Yoga and Tai Chi Schedule
In the heat of the Summer, do you find your physical activity drops off? Physical activity is an important element of your wellness, and the BRBR offers weekly yoga and tai chi classes to Veterans, active duty service members, first responders, and their immediate family members at no cost to participants. Classes are held in the log cabin depot (which looks like a 3-bay garage) on the air-conditioned top floor located at 830 Lorick Road, Blythewood.
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Volunteer in the Garden
on Friday Mornings
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Beat the Heat on Friday Mornings with Hannah in the Garden. She would love your help from 8:30 to 9:00am Fridays in August and September! She would love volunteers to assist her by harvesting ripe tomatoes and peppers, tending to the garden, and preparing for fall planting.
Feel free to bring your friends and family as well, garden volunteering is open to everyone! Please click the link below to sign up.
See you in the garden!
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Warrior PATHH Volunteers Needed for
Multiple Classes in September
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Warrior PATHH is expanding! We are excited that we will be able to offer this transformative program to more veterans, and first responders, but with this expansion comes an increased need for kitchen and cabin reset volunteers.
Kitchen Volunteers: As a kitchen volunteer, you take part in preparing and serving meals at breakfast, lunch, or dinner for our Warrior PATHH participants during their seven-day initiation. By volunteering on a regular basis, you will be able to see the extraordinary changes that happen within our PATHH participants as they advance through the program and create positive transformations in their lives.
Be sure to sign up ASAP, as these volunteer opportunities go quickly! We always try our best to make sure everyone receives a volunteer opportunity, but we cannot promise you will be scheduled. Spots are first come, first serve. Please note, you are not guaranteed a volunteer spot until you have received a confirmation message from the BRBR.
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Cabin Reset Volunteers: As a cabin reset volunteer you will assist in flipping the cabin from class to class. duties will include cleaning rooms, changing sheets, doing laundry, and assisting the cooks by helping put away groceries. This need is for Thursday afternoon and/or Friday morning. If you or your organization (groups of up to 15 volunteers) are interested in volunteering for to reset the cabin, Please contact Yvette at ycritchfield@thebigredbarnretreat.org | |
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Thank you for your support!
Support the Big Red Barn Retreat and your gift will support Veterans, Active Duty Military, and First Responders with transformative programs that promote Posttraumatic Growth!
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