May 8 to 10, 2026 · In the field
Spring Turkey Hunt
The retreat, Bemus Point
A guided three day spring hunt for veterans, with lodging and meals included and camaraderie in the outdoors.
Bemus Point · New York
Healing For Heroes
A Disabled Veteran’s Retreat and Wooded Oasis 501(c)(3)
A veteran-run nonprofit helping those who served heal through nature, camaraderie, and community. Always free for veterans.
Created by veterans, for veterans
Healing For Heroes: Mission Video
A message from Tom Nelsen · President and CEO
Our mission
To serve and support our Veteran community through offering free, nature and camaraderie based programs, events and retreats. We focus heavily on providing a safe space with the steady company and camaraderie of Veterans who understand one another.
Some of the healing happens at a table with Veterans sharing coffee, donuts and stories. Some happens at a family BBQ or beside a bonfire, and some of the healing happens in a more intimate retreat setting.
What happens here
Good company, under open skies
Everything on the calendar comes back to four things: healing, camaraderie, nature, and togetherness. Some days that looks like a hunt at first light. Some days it is a sauna in February, or coffee poured for a full table.
Days in the Woods
Turkey and deer hunts, archery, and outdoor skills days across our wooded acres. Time in the field, at your own pace, with people who get it.
Wellness Gatherings
Winter wellness days, survivor skills workshops, and quiet time by the fire. Programs built around healing for body and spirit.
Good Company
Coffee and donuts mornings, veteran luncheons, bowling nights, and holiday parties. Sometimes healing is just a full table.
Around the Fire
Potlucks on the porch, families at the long tables, and evenings at the fire pit that run past dark. Togetherness is the quiet engine of this place.
A walk around the place
View our beautiful land and facilities
The front walk, the great room, the loft, the deck, the fire circle, and the woods beyond. Scroll through, or open any photo to see it full size.
On the calendar
There is always something coming up
Hunts when the season opens, wellness days when the snow is deep, and coffee mornings all year round. These flyers came off the lodge corkboard, and the next one is already taking shape. Every event is free for veterans.
February 28, 2026 · Wellness
Winter Wellness Day
Paradise Lodge
A slow day against the cold. Hot tub, dry sauna, games, lunch, and a fire going all afternoon.
Thursday mornings, spring 2026 · Good company
Coffee & Donut Thursdays
Paradise Lodge
Free coffee and donuts for veterans every Thursday morning. No agenda and no sign up sheet, just a warm cup and a full table.
The retreat
Paradise Lodge
Our fully renovated cabin sleeps a family in comfort: log railings, a stone fireplace, and two porches that look straight into the trees. Stays are free for veterans and their families.
- Accessible first floor with full bath
- Full kitchen with accessible counters
- Two porches overlooking the forest
- Stone fireplace in the living room
- Three bedrooms, two baths
- Accessible parking at the door
Our supporters
Backed by our neighbors
Brigiotta's Farmland Produce·Falconer Printing·Coppola's Pizzeria·Cangie's Redemption Center·Drake's Power Sports·Phil 'n Cindy's Lunch·The Taco Company·Andriaccio's Restaurant·Ecklof Bakery
Local businesses across Chautauqua County keep this retreat free for veterans.
Every branch. Every era. All who served are welcome here.
Find us
Tucked into the woods above Chautauqua Lake
The retreat sits on 30 peaceful, wooded acres in Bemus Point, New York, minutes from the shores of Chautauqua Lake. Trails wind through the trees, deer wander past at dusk, and most evenings end around the fire. It is a quiet corner of Chautauqua County built for rest, and the door is open to veterans from anywhere.
4752 Slide Joslyn Rd
Bemus Point, NY 14712 · (716) 758-1500 or (716) 758-1499
Get Directions