✨ This year, we were able to accomplish so much for our veterans and first responder communities thanks to your support of the Big Red Barn Retreat! Thanks to you, we were able to complete 18 Warrior PATHH classes, taught 295 individuals through Equine-Assisted Therapy and Learning, and welcomed 565 participants in our other services such Farm-to-Table, Financial Wellness Training, yoga, and more!
❤️ Additionally, over 400 volunteers helped us throughout the year with prepping meals, resetting the cabin and grounds, and assisting in the garden! Thank you all for your hard work and dedication to our mission! And finally, a huge thank you to our gracious donors. Thanks to your generous hearts, we raised $787,409.81 through donations, grants, and sponsorships to fund our programs and services!
👏 Thank you so much for your support in 2023. We are looking forward to all our exciting plans for 2024, and invite you to join us throughout the year as we continue our mission to "Help Heroes Thrive". Without supporters like you, our mission would not be possible, so thank you very much!
Sincerely,
The Big Red Barn Retreat
Upcoming Events
Paddling for a Purpose
Join us at the 2nd annual Charity Pickleball Tournament benefitting the BRBR, presented by Dems Jewelers!
Registration fee is $40 per person and includes one event ($60 two events). Pickleball Brackets will add their fee of $5 per player to each registration. Raffle tickets to win paddles and other gear will be sold separately for $5 each or 5 for $20. 100% of the proceeds from this event will benefit the Big Red Barn Retreat's programs and services, so that we may continue to offer them at no cost to our heroes!
Click the button below to learn more information and sign up your team!
Our Healing Lens program is back! Join us for an introduction to using photography as a visual language. This group will meet monthly, led by Army veteran and professional photographer, Josh Fulton.
Through this group, warriors will learn fundamental skills and how to apply them to express themselves through photographic art. Workshops and field trips will provide Warriors with opportunities to learn how to incorporate photography as a wellness practice to grow in seeing the world around them through a new “lens.” No special camera equipment is necessary, the camera on your phone is all you need!
A workshop will be held on Saturday, January 27 from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM as an intro to the group. The group will meet in the red barn “lounge” at 8024 Winnsboro Road. This meeting is a chance to meet other participants, learn foundational skills and have input into the structure of the group. A second meeting will be held on Saturday, February 17 in which Jim Dukes, the founder of the Healing Lens program at the Big Red Barn Retreat, will join us to share the history of this program at the BRBR.
Our Veteran Peer-to-Peer Coffee Groups provide a safe space to share stories, support each other, and build lifelong friendships after military service. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to strengthen your bond with those who have walked the same path.
Reconnect with your fellow veterans who truly understand the unique challenges and experiences you've faced, join us for coffee group! Veteran Peer-to-Peer groups now meet at the Log Cabin every Friday morning at 9:30 AM, see you there! 👋
Free your Mind with FREE Transcendental Meditation Training!
TM practice has been extensively studied for the past 45 years and has shown remarkable benefits in alleviating stress and related conditions. It is a user-friendly practice with no adverse side effects, accessible to all regardless of beliefs, and enhances resilience!
We have openings for our February 22nd - 25th TM Training Session. This class is only for Veterans, Active Duty service members, First Responders, and their immediate family members/spouses. Participants must commit to four days consecutively of instruction. Class is limited to 6-8 participants. Register early by using the button below, classes fill up fast!
Join us as the new year starts to look at how we can improve our overall wellness with the help of our horses. Whether you have any horse experience or not, Form Up Fridays provides opportunities to learn and apply skills to cope with stressors, improve your ability to self-regulate, and enhance self-care.
Utilizing Equine Assisted Learning (EAL), the unique qualities of the horses increases self-awareness, fosters connections and improves interpersonal relationships. This experiential approach provides opportunities to enhance personal growth and develop life skills that improve overall well-being.
Veterans and first responders who participate in EAL programs like Form Up Friday experience noticeable improvements in mental, emotional and physical health. Use the button below to sign up for our upcoming Form Up Friday class!
Veterans, Active-Duty service members, First Responders, and their immediate family members are eligible to attend any of our four FREE yoga and tai chi classes throughout the week, every week! Yoga and tai chi have been found to have numerous mental wellness benefits through the guided movements and controlled breaths it requires. ☮️
Any and all skill levels are welcomed to attend these classes. Please see our event calendar using the button below to sign up for your yoga or tai chi class today!
Class Schedule
All yoga and tai chi class sessions are held at
830 Lorick Road, Blythewood, SC 29016 (the Cabin Garage)
Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of our veterans and first responders? Our dedicated chefs at Warrior PATHH are in need of your assistance in preparing delicious and nourishing meals for our heroes!
By volunteering your time and skills in food preparation, you have a remarkable opportunity to not only connect with our program participants, but also serve and thank them in a truly impactful and meaningful way. Join us in creating memorable dining experiences that will leave a lasting impression on those who have selflessly served our country, use the buttons below to sign up today!
**Please be advised: While we try our best to make sure each volunteer is assigned a time slot, Warrior PATHH Food Prep volunteering is assigned on a first come, first serve basis. You are not assigned a volunteer time slot until you have received a confirmation email from the Big Red Barn Retreat. Thank you!**
Help Hannah Prepare the Garden for Spring!
Our Garden Manager, Hannah, is in need of hard-working individuals to help her in the garden! Volunteers will assist Hannah by clearing out fall crops, tending to any winter ones, and prepping the garden for cold weather.
If you have a green thumb (or are trying to develop one...😉), this is the perfect opportunity to get involved and learn more about gardening and help our heroes at the same time! Click the buttons below to sign up today!
Learn More about the Warrior PATHH and Struggle Well Programs
💡 To learn more about what Warrior PATHH and Struggle Well is, read the 18 month study and testimonials from alumni, and sign up for these life-saving programs, please click the black buttons below.
Help heroes thrive all 2024 long! Your donation to the Big Red Barn Retreat will make a lasting impact on the lives of our brave men and women who have served our country, whether that be overseas or on the home front. By joining us on our mission, you are not only showing gratitude for their sacrifices but also providing them with a place where they can get the peace they deserve.
Help us create a brighter future for our heroes and ensure that they receive the support and care they deserve in 2024, donate to the Big Red Barn Retreat today by clicking the button below! Thank you for your support! ❤️
