The Retreat

A Deliberate Mission to Rebuild Identity, Purpose, and Connection

Sovereign Roots Veterans Retreat is a high-priority initiative currently in the planning and development phase. We are intentionally pacing our progress as we execute a deliberate, multi-stage operation to build a Veteran-led program designed to stand the test of time, meet the scrutiny of federal and private funding, and deliver lasting impact for the Veterans who step onto the land. We are building an immersive, purpose-driven environment grounded in real-world experience, active testing, and continuous feedback. We are forging Sovereign Roots through disciplined iteration and measured growth, with a projected pilot deployment in 2027.

THE MISSION

Concept, Validation, and Why This Exists

The mission of Sovereign Roots is to create a non-clinical, veteran-led retreat environment rooted in land, labor, and shared identity, designed to support veterans navigating PTSD, moral injury, loss of purpose, and the challenges of integration.

We are bridging the gap between outpatient care and clinical models (not because therapy doesn’t matter) because many Veterans already know how to sit in a chair and talk, but need something a bit more... unique. What’s often missing is embodied purpose, peer accountability, and work that means something.

Our framework is grounded in the holistic symbolism of the Tree of Life model. Through land-based operations that mirror the internal processes of grounding, growth, effort, yield, and stewardship, we align our work with the rhythms of the natural world, fostering balance, resilience, and continuity.

This program is being built by evidence and feasibility.

Our small, dedicated core team is actively validating our concepts right now through live operational programs:

Rally Point – peer connection, continuity, and accountability
Fieldcraft – skill-building, focus, and tangible mastery
Overwatch – leadership, situational awareness, and veteran-to-veteran support

These programs serve as our proving grounds, generating real-time data, feedback, and lessons learned that are directly shaping the retreat’s design, staffing model, and curriculum.

Our current operational focus is developing a grant-ready, auditable program structure capable of withstanding federal funding review while remaining true to Veteran culture and lived experience.

THE METHOD

A Phased, Purpose-Built Deployment

Sovereign Roots is structured as a phased deployment, not a vacation. Each phase is intentional, progressive, and designed to support recalibration rather than escape.

Phase One: Pre-Arrival

"Seedling"
Timeline: 30–60 Days Prior to Retreat Date

Before arrival in Delta, Colorado, participants undergo a comprehensive remote intake and preparation phase to establish physical, emotional, and logistical readiness.

This includes:

Logistical Intake: Screening, communication setup, travel coordination
Gear Issue & Prep: Loadout lists, expectations, and preparatory materials
Intel Briefs: Virtual sessions introducing the Tree of Life model, defining personal mission statements (“your why”), and initial cohort introductions to begin unit cohesion before arrival

This phase ensures that when boots hit the ground, participants are ready to engage—not just observe.

Phase Two: Arrival and Welcome

"Sapling"
Timeline: Day 0 (Arrival)

The transition from daily chaos to grounded presence is immediate.

Upon arrival at Sovereign Roots, participants move into a structured decompression and acclimation environment.

Key elements include:

Orientation: Site safety briefs, gear stowage, and intentional disconnection from external noise
Grounding: Introduction to the land, animals, and physical environment
Accommodations: Check in to your cabin and take in a view of the property, San Juan Mountains, Grand Mesa, Gunnison Gorge, and West Elk Mountains.
Connection: The first evening fire circle establishes intentions, boundaries, and connection to your cohort

Phase Three: The Holistic Journey

"Roots to Branches"
Timeline: Days 1–3 (On-Site Immersion)

Days are structured, demanding, and intentionally balanced between physical movement, skill-building, and impactful processing. The horticulture model mirrors seasonal progression: from soil preparation to harvest. This cycle creating tangible metaphors for internal change and repeatable seasons.

Representative Daily Flow:

0700 – PT / Movement
Hiking, Work-Outs, Somatic Movement, or body-care Sauna/Cold Plunge to start the day grounded and alert.

0800 – Breakfast & Morning Brief
Communal meal and review of daily objectives and activities.

0900 – Workshops & Activities
Hands-on work: animal care, soil health, planting, harvesting. Mindfulness, Cognitive Reframing, Topical Discussions.

1200 – Lunch & Downtime
Fuel, rest, and personal space.

1330 – Workshops & Activities
Continued workshops and activities.

1530 – Processing / Solo Time
Structured group processing, individual reflection, or guided decompression.

1730 – Dinner
Communal meal with the cohort.

1930 – Fire Circle & Download
Evening debriefs, peer connection, and shared experience.

Phase Four: Integration & Sustainment

"The Harvest"
Timeline: Day4 through 6 Months Post-Retreat

The mission does not end when participants leave. The goal is durable change, not a powerful memory that fades after reentry into daily life.

This phase includes:

Departure Brief: Finalization of a personalized Action Plan for your return home
Structured Follow-Up: Scheduled 1-week and 1-month check-in calls with retreat cadre and cohort peers
Long-Term Integration: Permanent inclusion in the Sovereign Roots resources and programs for continued peer support, communication, and access to future programming

CURRENT STATUS

What's Happening Now

Behind the scenes, the Sovereign Roots team is executing a significant logistical and developmental lift, including:

Developing & finalizing clinical and safety protocols
Recruiting & vetting cadre and facilitators
Coordinating infrastructure for workshop operations, equine therapy and agricultural operations
Identifying specialized staffing and needs
Building funding channels and grant applications

All of this work is underway so that when Sovereign Roots deploys, it does so with integrity, structure, and sustainability.

The Call to Action

Whether you are:

A veteran seeking a grounded, no-BS immersion built by people who understand the culture, or -
A donor or partner looking to support a rigorously validated, purpose-built program

Sovereign Roots is doing the hard work now to ensure we get this right. This is about regaining internal balance, reconnecting to land and service, and moving forward with veterans who understand exactly what that costs and what it’s worth.

Join the tribe.

Help us build something that lasts.