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Subcommittee hears testimony supporting funding for Camp Bliss veterans retreats; bill held for possible inclusion
Summary
Senate File 488, a request to fund Camp Bliss retreats for veterans, spouses and families, received testimony from veterans and organizers about therapeutic benefits and access; the bill was held over for possible inclusion in the omnibus package.
Senate File 488, which would provide funding to support Camp Bliss — a retreat center in Walker, Minnesota that serves veterans, spouses, families and active‑duty service members — was presented and held over for possible inclusion after testimony from program leaders and veterans who said the retreats produce measurable wellness benefits.
Marty Seifert testified on behalf of Camp Bliss, standing in for the program director, and described the camp’s offerings: veterans and spouse retreats, PTSD wellness programs, female‑veteran retreats, family retreats and recreational programming such as turkey hunts and ice fishing. Seifert said Camp Bliss has served 400–500 veterans and their families in the last two years and reported a 99 percent satisfaction rate among participants.
Two veterans who had attended Camp Bliss described the program’s effects. Jesse Sprint, an Army infantry veteran who deployed to Afghanistan, said multiple Camp Bliss events helped him transition after service: "The knowledge I have gained along with the ability to interact socially in a low stress environment has helped me to rehabilitate my mind more than any therapist I've ever seen or any medication I've ever been prescribed." Kirsten Whitman (formerly Johnson), an Army medic and 60 percent‑rated disabled veteran, said Camp Bliss provided a supportive female‑veteran environment that helped her access VA care and maintain recovery.
Questions from senators focused on program eligibility, whether family members may attend and how appropriations would be used (program fees, maintenance, outreach). Testimony explained Camp Bliss aims to serve veterans and families with no one turned away; existing legislative appropriations have been used to reduce or eliminate participant fees and to expand capacity. A fiscal staffer confirmed the current base appropriation is $150,000 per year; sponsors said additional funding would expand services and preserve the existing base.
Senate File 488 was held over for possible inclusion in the omnibus process. Organizers and veterans said the program is intended to be affordable or free for eligible veterans and flexible enough to accommodate families and caregivers.
