It's a time for giggles . . .
It's a time for reconnecting . . .
It's a time for sightseeing . . .
It's a time for togetherness . . .
MOST IMPORTANTLY . . .
It's a time for HEALING.
Operation Black Hills Cabin provides a week-long getaway, to qualifying COMBAT WOUNDED veterans and their immediate family, from any post 9/11/2001 military operation, to promote healing through family reconnection, reflection and fun while exploring the Black Hills of South Dakota.
NOW ACCEPTING applications for summer weeks in 2025. Complete applications along with required supporting documentation are considered on a first come basis.
It's a time for reconnecting . . .
It's a time for sightseeing . . .
It's a time for togetherness . . .
MOST IMPORTANTLY . . .
It's a time for HEALING.
Operation Black Hills Cabin provides a week-long getaway, to qualifying COMBAT WOUNDED veterans and their immediate family, from any post 9/11/2001 military operation, to promote healing through family reconnection, reflection and fun while exploring the Black Hills of South Dakota.
NOW ACCEPTING applications for summer weeks in 2025. Complete applications along with required supporting documentation are considered on a first come basis.
"WHY WOULD THEY BE SO KIND?"
It was a question a disabled veteran asked about the people and businesses in Custer and surrounding communities in South Dakota, who help make these getaways possible.
Founded in 2011 by a retired military couple, OPERATION BLACK HILLS CABIN is located in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. It's purpose is to offer a week-long respite, to qualifying wounded veterans and their families, from any post-9/11/2001 military operation, at little or no expense to them.
It provides a therapeutic environment to assist qualifying combat-injured veterans with their rehabilitation from their traumatic and stressful experiences, while serving the interest of our Nation. It also provides an opportunity for the disabled veterans to reacquaint themselves with their family in a quiet, peaceful and leisurely environment, far away from the stress and daily routine which has now become their "new normal". See "Frequently Asked Questions" tab (FAQ) for more information.
Inspired by the Oprah Winfrey Show "The Bravest Families in America"
Watch OUR STORY made possible by the SD Community Foundation. Go to the ABOUT US, IN THE NEWS tab to learn more about OBHC through other informative stories and newscasts!
WE HAVE EXPANDED!
To better serve our veterans, we now recognize the following qualifications to apply for a week at OBHC:
Any active duty service member and veteran who served in any post-September 11, 2001 military operation and who are Combat Injured at a minimum of 30%. Such military operations include, but are not limited to: Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation New Dawn (OND), Operation Odyssey Dawn (OOD), NATO's Operation Unified Protector (OUP), Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), Operation Freedom's Sentinel (OFS), NATO's Operation Resolute Support (ORS), Operation Enduring Freedom - Trans Sahara (OEF-TS), or Operation Juniper Shield (OJS).
OR
Soldier Recovery Unit members. Include a copy of orders with the assignment AND a signed statement from the applicant's primary physician on the physician's letterhead with the physician's contact information, and stating the member is pending a Statement of Disability with an anticipated rating of at least 30% due to Combat Injuries along with the type of disability.
CLICK HERE for APPLICATION FORM
Operation Black Hills Cabin
PO Box 855
Custer, SD 57730
605-517-1830
Email us at: [email protected]
166 FAMILIES FROM 38 DIFFERENT STATES
have experienced OPERATION BLACK HILLS CABIN. "It's a Healing Place!"
FROM ONE OF OUR PAST HOSTED FAMILIES:
"YES, my husband's military career ended with his final injuries. YES, we lost his way of making a living. YES, I had to quit my job to be his full-time caregiver. YES, he's a different father now. BUT, that does not define us. We are so much more. We are driving a UTV through mud getting filthy. We are playing a board game while laughing so hard we are crying. We are walking down the streets of Custer or Hill City while eating ice cream cones. We are ordering something different at the many great restaurants and trying each other's food. THANK YOU for this week. You gave us back to us."
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THANK YOU to all Thrivent members for their generous donations of their CHOICE DOLLARS! You have helped us make a positive impact on our very deserving wounded veterans and families! Don't let your Choice Dollars expire on March 31st! Please keep us in mind. For more information call 800-847-4836 and say "Thrivent Choice" or visit www.thrivent.com.
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