August Logotech-4-Good Recipient

Camp Hero Kentucky helps first responders heal.

Injured veterans, first responders, police officers, and youth visit Camp Hero Kentucky for three or four days of healing outdoor events.

With the Logotech-4-Good $500 grant, co-founder Rocco Besednjak plans to purchase logo-printed promotional products to give these heroes a memento of their trip -- along with the healing it provides.

Besednjak and his wife, Lauren, founded Camp Hero after his career as a police officer was cut short. He was on a routine traffic stop in 2016 when a woman with an active warrant drove over Besednjak as she fled. The incident badly injured his spine and led to his early retirement.

It was the second time he was injured while serving. Besednjak became disabled while serving in the U.S. Navy, which forced him to retire in 2001.

"I have my own depression and PTSD," from those injuries, Besednjak said.

After his second medical retirement, he went on a deer hunt with Kentucky Wounded Heros. Besednjak realized the therapeutic qualities of being in nature with people much like himself. That led to him joining Wounded Heroes as a staff member.

"Because of my personal experience, I wanted to continue serving and help other veterans and first responders," he said.

The Besednjaks purchased 160 acres and a cabin in Kentucky to found Camp Hero. They knew what they wanted to do with the land.

"We host veterans and first responders, and also kids, for outdoor therapy and getaways," at the camp, Besednjak said.

"We do it for all of the first responders -- EMS, fire and law enforcement -- for regular outdoor getaways to recharge, refresh and allow them to get out and relax out in nature," he said.

The trips are always free of charge. All staff volunteer and any money raised goes back into the program.

Camp Hero Kentucky gives its visitors a way to connect with themselves and others like them, Besednjak said.

It isn't easy for many first responders and wounded veterans to talk about their experiences with others. It can be very isolating, he said, because they feel they are alone in their situations.

Because he is still dealing with the PTSD and physical effects of his injuries, he has something in common with the people they serve, Besednjak said. That helps them open up to him.

"It helps people trust me more. Also, they often do not want to look for or accept that help. There are many scientific studies and personal experiences that say being outdoors and being around others like you makes it better. It is very beneficial to mental health," he said.

Besednjak's volunteer staff includes mental health professionals. They join the first responders on their outdoor adventures. These counselors mix with the group. That allows those who need to talk to do so when they are ready. It is in those quiet moments the first responders and veterans start talking, he added.

In Fall 2021, they have four deer hunts scheduled. However, hunting is not the only thing they do, Besednjak said.

They teach responders which plants are edible, how to start a fire, land navigation, and other survival skills to get them more involved with the outdoors.

He is also working with the state to ask all active and former EMS responders to participate in the camp. Those first responders may not have physical injuries but the mental pain of seeing terrible incidents as part of their daily work.

"They see a lot of bad stuff on a regular basis. They see critical incidents, officer-involved shootings, line of duty deaths, suicides. We give them a three-day outdoor trip with other first responders, and it doesn't cost them a thing," he said.

They do not advertise that the trips are for healing. The first responders discover that aspect as they spend time with others like them, he said.

Another program in the works plans to ask inner-city youth to the camp and experience nature. They invite the children of veterans and first responders to attend as well.

As Camp Hero Kentucky grows, he hopes other states can learn from their experience and follow.

"After I got hurt, it all came to a head -- what I dealt with. I realized there is not enough done for first responders at all. Our program is outside the box and something they are more apt to go out and do, to be a part of," Besednjak said.

Go to Camp Hero Kentucky to learn more about the program.

To learn more about our program or to apply, go to Logotech-4-Good.