Unbounded Horizons Scholarship Fund

Survivors of Trauma Rediscover Their Unbounded Horizons

Dana and her team are back at it again this year - raising awareness about trauma survivors and funds for Nature's Academy's new program, Unbounded Horizons.

As the world shifts to mitigate the effects of COVID, the prevalence of mental health issues has truly come to light. Trauma in this country is at an all-time high and is ubiquitous, as demonstrated by the statistics below.

60% of US adults report abuse or difficult family circumstances during childhood and nearly half of all children and adolescents were assaulted at least once in the past year.1

Additionally, trauma and mental health, wellbeing, and longevity are all negatively correlated– more trauma = poor mental health and a shorter lifespan.2

Furthermore, a survey of trauma survivors demonstrated that over 95% of them sought trauma-informed education, tools for self-care, connection with others, and ongoing support.3

Recognizing the need for a trauma-healing program, Nature’s Academy heeded the call and launched its newest and most innovative program in 2022.

Unbounded Horizons Healing Retreat for women survivors of trauma takes place at NatureBridge, on the stunning and peaceful shores of Lake Crescent, in Olympic National Park. The retreat offers trauma survivors an opportunity to reconnect: with themselves, with one another, and with the cathartic healing power of nature.

The retreat's facilitators are trauma-informed educators, advocates, coaches, and movement practitioners, as well as trauma survivors themselves. They are dedicated to helping participants reflect on their experiences without judgment, gain awareness about their mental and physical responses to triggering events, learn new skills to advance toward the life they desire, and—perhaps most importantly—discover how a deepened spiritual connection with the natural world and its rhythms can be a catalyst to rediscovering their unbounded horizons.

Nature’s Academy subsidizes 50% of the retreat's cost to increase affordability, ensure accessibility, and also provides one full scholarship spot per retreat. How do we do this? We seek funding through active grant applications, corporate sponsors, and this $15,000 fundraising campaign! We hope to reach our goal by Dec 31st!!!

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. Your gift will directly impact the life of a trauma survivor. We greatly appreciate your support.

1NationalTraumaInstitute.org and RecognizeTrauma.org

2ACEResponse.org

3Meeting Survivors’ Needs: A Multi-state Study of Domestic Violence Shelter Experiences