Glad U Made It: GUMI Camp offers hope and connection for veterans

Nestled deep in the Taney County Ozarks, GUMI Camp USA is a place where veterans can get help to heal from their wounds, emotional or physical. Founded by singer/songwriter Tim Hadler, GUMI stands for “Glad You Made It.” Hadler relates a story of driving along the road near Cedar Creek, Missouri, several years ago, and having the definite feeling that the property would become a place of healing. 

GUMI Camp’s mission is to equip, strengthen and encourage U.S. Veterans with educational, emotional and spiritual resources to understand and overcome deployment-related issues. Along with providing a physical place for connection, veterans are directed to a variety of resources and help: 

●      Obtaining their DD 214; 

●      Being matched with a companion dog; 

●      Finding peer-to-peer friendships; 

●      Getting professional counseling; 

●      Getting food, water, or shelter. 

GUMI is blessed to have assistance in their mission from community volunteers, including area high school students and JROTC members, area youth or nonprofit groups, and individuals, including other veterans, who are familiar with GUMI and care deeply about the cause. 

Recently, a group of those volunteers came together to assist with making a veteran’s home a better place to heal. On January 30, an activities director called Hadler from the Forsyth Nursing and Rehab Center, regarding a veteran due to be discharged following an amputation and rehabilitation. In pre-discharge conversation, the staff had learned that the man’s home did not have a wheelchair-accessible entry ramp. A team was quickly assembled, led by a volunteer with contracting experience, and in an amazing show of dedication and determination, the volunteers accomplished the project over the weekend, allowing the veteran to be discharged as scheduled on February 2. “When we learned this man did not have family in the area who could help, our activity director, Mary, reached out to GUMI Camp,” said a staff member at the facility. “This was a huge blessing, and he seems to be doing well.” 

Often, the camaraderie of volunteering, as well as working around the camp, is a valuable part of the healing process itself. As space permits, there are sometimes opportunities for a veteran to have a place to live, and they are able to help in chores such as brushing the horses, feeding chickens and gathering eggs, walking the dogs and more. Simple daily routines, or visiting regularly, combined with the care at the camp, help heal the wounds of deployment and establish essential habits for successful living. 

Hadler also shared that many of the volunteers are working moms and dads who are hard workers and handy with building or repairs, so even non-veterans who need those types of services can apply for help, contributing to the camp mission as they are financially able, by contacting Hadler at 417-559-3892. 

An in-person opportunity to see GUMI Camp will be Sunday, February 15, at 4 p.m., when a volunteer GUMI chaplain, a Naval Recruiting Command Attendee, and a current GUMI resident will lead a chapel service open to the public. The camp is located at 267 MO/ARK Rd., approximately five miles past the store in Cedar Creek. 

Hollister High School students are currently planning an in-service day on April 24, working on the Memorial Garden located at the camp, started by the Daughters of the American Revolution and continued through the efforts of Master Gardeners Fritz and Linda Oeser and volunteers. “We’re thankful for students who have volunteered several times over the past decade,” said Hadler. 

GUMI Camp hosts an annual GUMI Fest, which is a great opportunity to start connecting and learn more; watch for upcoming details. Others interested in volunteering are encouraged to visit the Facebook page or the website, https://gumicampusa.com, or call 417-294-5248 or email info.gumicampusa@gmail.com. Also at the website are links to Hadler’s music, much of it honoring or produced in conjunction with veterans, and opportunities to donate to the camp.