Responders Retreat

September 22 - 26, 2025

The Eagle River Police Department is co-hosting Responders Retreat (https://www.firstrespondersretreat.org/) this year with the assistance of the LEMHWA Grant. If you would are a law enforcement officer and would like to attend the entire retreat register at:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdCNnfcWl-oWf373EbnQ901DAWLNHrUsa_4QuP307jpgRc9YA/viewform

Be sure to click Eagle River Police Department’s Operation Grace near the top of the application. This will ensure the grant covers all lodging and on-site food for the week. Those attending under this program will most likely be housed in the retreat center which includes a private room and plentiful community restroom facilities. Spouses are welcome to attend and will share a room with their officer. They may attend part or all of the retreat, with spouse specific programing taking place on Thursday (Best Back Up) and Friday (PTSD – A Wive’s Perspective).

If you would like to attend an ERPD individual session (highlighted in bold below) rather than the whole retreat please fill out this form:

Session Registration Form:

copy36_Individual Session Registration

Email registration form and/or any questions to adross@vilascountywi.gov

Schedule:

Monday

3 pm – 5 pm Check In

5 pm – 6 pm Cook Out and Introductions

6 pm Camp Fire

6:30 pm- 7 pm Spiritual Offering

Tuesday

7:30 am – 8:15 am Breakfast

8:15 – 12:15 Ryan Rodriguez – Four Flames

https://www.beneaththehelmet.ca/top-tactics-for-firefighter-success/

8:15-12:15 Ignacio “Nacho” Enriquez Jr. – Officer Wellness

https://www.ascentwi.com/

12:15 – 1 Lunch

1 pm – 4:30 pm Recreation Time

Boat Rides/Fishing Trips as available

Kayaking, Hiking, Frisbee Golf, and naps available

4:30 pm – 5:30 pm Yoga

5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Dinner

6:30 pm Campfire

Wednesday

7:30 am – 8:15 am Breakfast

8:15 – 12:15 Daniel Krahn - Mental Wellness for First Responders

8:15-12:15 Kent Williams – Breach Point

https://www.breachpointconsulting.com/our-services

12:15 – 1 Lunch

1 pm – 5 pm Kent Williams – Breach Point Continued

1 pm – 5 pm Recreation Time

5 pm – 5:30 pm Meditation

5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Dinner

6:30 pm Campfire

Thursday

7:30 am – 8:15 am Breakfast

8:15 – 12:15 Rob Leathan - Post Traumatic Growth: It does exist and how I achieved it

https://leathen.ca/me/education-advocacy-speaking/

8:15-12:15 Kent Williams – Best Back Up (Spouse Course)

https://www.breachpointconsulting.com/our-services

12:15 – 1 Lunch

1 pm – 4:30 pm Recreation Time

4:30 pm – 5:30 pm Yoga or Quigong

5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Dinner

6:30 pm Campfire

Friday

Pack up/Clean Up Room

8:00 am Breakfast

9 - 12 Cathy Krahn – PTSD – A Wive’s Perspective (Spouse Course)

9 – 12 Dave Grossman – Bulletproof Mind

https://grossmanontruth.com/what-we-do/

12 – 12:45 Wrap up and Lunch

The concept for Responders Retreat came from the wife of a retired firefighter with PTSD incurred in the line of duty. She knows all too well how it impacted her husband at work, at home, and how it impacted their family. After moving to the Northwoods of Wisconsin, she noticed positive changes in his mood, outlook, and social interactions that continue to date. Hoping others could benefit similarly, Responders Retreat was born.

Every hour of every day, first responders in this country respond to our calls for help. Many of us cannot comprehend how those calls impact them and the stress that can build up because of what they see, hear, touch, or smell in the line of duty. Our goal is to offer an environment in which they might reduce some of that stress and feel free to open up about how they are processing that stress without feeling judged.

Retreats: