For nine years, Kieve-Wavus has hosted veterans and their families who want to take a much needed respite from their daily lives and visit our residential camps on the shores of Damariscotta Lake, free of charge. Our veterans programs are an opportunity for service men and women, retired or still serving to relax, have fun and reconnect with other veterans and their families.

Kieve-Wavus’ Executive Director Henry Kennedy said, “We are honored to be able to offer these retreats to our brave veterans who gave so much in defense of our country.”

The latest family camp started on Monday, April 17 and concluded on Friday, April 21. A total of 45 veterans and their families visited us from Texas, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts and of course, Maine.

The week’s activities consisted of chapel services, pottery, pedicures, low impact exercise classes, haircutting, outdoor rock-climbing, high-ropes course, arts and crafts, jelly making, reflecting by the lake, quiet reading in the cabins, evening camp fires and lots of fantastic food.

None of this could not have been possible if not for the hard work of our many staff members and local volunteers including Marge Greenleaf, Mary Ellison, Annie Richardson, Taylor Boucher, Kasie Taylor, Nina Byers, Whitney Pander, Donna Begley, Rev. Tom Wages, John Romac and Bill Flood.

A few comments from our Veterans attending this week:

Ed, U.S. Marine Corps: “Family camp was wonderful and a great re-connect.”

Gwen, U.S. Army: “I’ve made lifelong friends here.”

Scott, U.S. Army: “This experience was way beyond my expectations. Thank you Kieve-Wavus!”

Veronica, FBI/DOJ: “What an amazing week. My family has loved being here. Thank you so much.”

As one of the few states with a dedicated recognition program, Maine takes every opportunity to celebrate the courage and sacrifice of our veterans. Maine has established the "Honoring a Veteran" recognition program to recognize our veterans for their military service. Deputy Director of the Maine Veterans Service, David Richmond visited with us and took the opportunity to honor our guests for their service by presenting them with a Certificates of Appreciation. The Certificates read:

“We the citizens of the State of Maine, express our sincere appreciation of your sacrifice, courage, and willingness to serve our great state and nation. We are proud of you and thank you for your contribution to the defense of Freedom.”

Kieve-Wavus hosts four family veterans’ camps at our Wavus campus in Jefferson and two veteran specialty camps; Vietnam only and Women’s Only; on our Kieve campus in Nobleboro each year. 

All camps are free of charge to the veterans and their families and are funded by Kieve-Wavus with the support of private donations and corporate grants made by those who deeply appreciate the service that all veterans provided to their country. Additional support is always welcome. For additional information on all of our veterans camps, please visit http://www.kievewavus.org/veterans/