GOLD STAR PROGRAM
The summer is rapidly approaching and while it may seem like a ways off, we’d like to solicit your interest in participating in any of the number of activities that our partners offer specifically for Gold Star Families. If you or one of your children might be interested in one of the many activities provided by our partners listed below, please do not hesitate to send us an email or call us at anytime so we can assist you.
It remains an honor to serve you.
Please contact the individual organization or Chris Vanek at c.vanek@threerangersfoundation.org
The Station Foundation: LEGACY PROJECT
The Station Foundation equips Gold Star Children – those who lost a loved one in combat – to flourish in the face of challenges. Gold Star Initiatives honor the promises made to our fallen warriors: You are never forgotten. We will take care of your family. Your life serves as a source of strength and love.
Gold Star Children are given an opportunity to team up with Warriors who served with and knew their parent well—giving them insight into their Fallen Warrior’s life and a chance to see their own personality traits as a reflection of that parent’s heroic strength and commitment. The Legacy Project fosters self-confidence, preparing Gold Star Children to cross the critical thresholds that lie ahead.
Programs Include:
The Crossing (Legacy Project)
LiT (Leaders in Training)
Creative Arts Workshop
The Crossing
Reconnecting Gold Star Children with the Special Operations Community
1 - 10 July 2023
Bozeman, Montana
The Crossing is a 10-day wilderness experience presented for the Sons and Daughters of our Fallen Special Operations Warriors. It is our way to make good on promises made to our Fallen: you are never forgotten, your family is taken care of, and your life serves as a source of strength and love.
Set in a private location in Montana, The Crossing connects Gold Star Children with Mentors from the Special Operations Community in an experience like no other. Through a combination of comprehensive survival training and a three-day crucible, participants apply leadership principles to move confidently through unfamiliar terrain, develop lifelong bonds with members of both Special Operations and the Gold Star Community, and most importantly, honor our Fallen Warriors by accomplishing a demanding adventure based on real-world mission scenarios.
The Crossing embodies The Station’s commitment in delivering authentic Homecoming experiences for both our Warriors and Gold Star Children. Children gain a greater insight into their Fallen Warriors’ legacies, and Mentors serve as critical links in strengthening the bonds between the Special Operations Community and our Gold Star Families. The Crossing fulfills a rare opportunity for participants to share, learn, and grow together in an environment that demands teamwork, tenacity and trust. The Crossing cultivates their minds and ethos to believe in themselves, cross personal thresholds, and return home equipped for success. We are honored to present this program and come together to preserve our Gold Star Children through an authentic opportunity to discover their voice and harness the strengths they already possess.
www.thestationfoundation.org
(406) 763-5505
info@TheStationFoundation.org
PARTICIPANTS: We invite Gold Star Children of adolescent age (9-18) from all components of Special Operations. We seek enthusiastic, driven children who enjoy challenges and amazing bonding adventures. Participants must possess the maturity and independence to be away from home for an extended period of time.
MENTORS: Mentors are hand-selected, sharing a common path as our Fallen Warriors, possessing the character and competence that distinguishes them as role models. Our mentors served with the Fallen and have close ties to their families and the team. Mentors must be fully committed to creating a safe, nurturing environment for our Gold Star Children to thrive, connect and triumph. We require Mentors to be completely available from 30 June – 11 July 2023 without any pending external requirements.
If you have a Gold Star Child who has a mentor that you trust, and you believe may benefit from this developmental program, please feel free to contact Chris Vanek at c.vanek@threerangersfoundation.org
Whitefish Veterans Support Team’s Mission:
Empower injured veterans, active-duty personnel, caregivers, and their families by providing opportunities to build meaningful relationships and engage them in physical and emotionally challenging activities to advance their healing, growth, and resiliency. The WVST is hosting a summer camp for Gold Star children this summer in Whitefish, Montana.
PARTICIPANTS: We invite Gold Star Children of adolescent age (9-18) from all components of Special Operations. We seek enthusiastic, driven children who enjoy challenges and amazing bonding adventures. Participants must possess the maturity and independence to be away from home for an extended period of time.
MENTORS: Mentors are hand-selected, sharing a common path as our Fallen Warriors, possessing the character and competence that distinguishes them as role models. Our mentors served with the Fallen and have close ties to their families and the team. Mentors must be fully committed to creating a safe, nurturing environment for our Gold Star Children to thrive, connect and triumph. We require Mentors to be completely available from 30 June – 11 July 2023 without any pending external requirements.
If you have a Gold Star Child who has a mentor that you trust, and you believe may benefit from this developmental program, please feel free to contact Chris Vanek at c.vanek@threerangersfoundation.org
Echo Hill Ranch Gold Star Camp
Echo Hill Ranch Gold Star Camp fosters community and connection among children and families taking similar life journeys. The ranch is 266 acres near San Antonio and Austin in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Its mission is to provide a safe, fun, relaxing, and empowering professional summer camp experience for the children of Gold Star and First Responder Families. Echo Hill Ranch is sponsoring several summer camp opportunities in 2023 for Gold Star Children, ages 8-14.
UPDATE: : ECHO HILL RANCH GOLD STAR CAMP SUMMER 2023 dates
13-22 June 2023 Session I
27 June – 6 July 2023 Session II
UPDATE: Please submit any requests for participation in 2023 to Chris Vanek at C.Vanek@threerangersfoundation.org
Fort Benning Gold Star Youth Mission
The Fort Benning Gold Star Youth Foundation provides unique developmental life experiences to Gold Star Youth at Fort Benning, Georgia. During these hunting events, Gold Star families experience an all-expense paid experience. The event always occurs over the Veterans Day weekend. The families stay at Uchee Creek Lodge on Ft. Benning. The youth hunters from the families are paired with active duty and retired Soldier guides. The families participate in events such as horseback riding, fishing, jumping out of the 34’ airborne towers, and firing shotguns with the Army Marksmanship Unit members.
Each year we have been able to outfit hunters with just about everything they need to continue to hunt after the event: complete camouflage, boots, coolers, rifles, scopes, rifle cases, hunting knives, ear protection, eye protection, ammunition, deer calls, and hunting knives. These items are the Gold Star families to keep.
UPDATE: Dates for 2023 have been announced and the hunt will be the weekend of November 10-13, 2023 at Fort Benning, Georgia. The foundation is seeking two Gold Star youths to participate this year. Please submit any requests for participation in 2023 no later than 01 April 2023 to Chris Vanek at C.Vanek@threerangersfoundation.org. For addiional questions or intest, please contact Fort Benning Gold Star Youth: Mark Moore at markemoore1990@gmail.com or 706-604-2546.
Darby’s Warrior Support (DWS)
The DWS Mission is to provide physically and emotionally injured post 9/11 Special Operations Combat veterans with all-inclusive Arkansas hunting and fishing opportunities in an environment that comforts, encourages, and fosters rehabilitation, recovery, and transition. Please see the DWS website at www.darbyswarriorsupport.org for further information.
UPDATE: We anticipate the DWS conducting their annual hunt at the end of November or early December 2023. If interested or you have a child that maybe interested, please contact Chris Vanek at (912) 508-1522 or c.vanek@threerangersfoundation.org or contact Shawn at 931.220.2919, sdaniel@darbyswarriorsupport.org or Nick at 214.277.2382, nick.neuert@darbyswarriorsupport.org
KUIU Sponsored Annual Gold Star Colorado Pronghorn Antelope Hunt
KUIU, the world’s foremost outfitter and equipment manufacturer for hunting has generously offered another all-expense paid Pronghorn Antelope hunt in Southern Colorado. Gold Star youth interested, must be at least 13 years of age, in reasonably good physical condition, and have passed a Hunter Safety Certification course acceptable by the State of Colorado. This is a world-class hunt that is generously guided by some of the most renowned guides in North America.
UPDATE: This year’s hunt will occur the weekend of October 6-9, 2023. Interested youth should submit their request to participate no later than May 1, 2023 and there is only one hunter sponsored annually. Please submit any requests for participation in 2023 to Chris Vanek immediately at C.Vanek@threerangersfoundation.org