The Merritt Center, Free Returning Veteran Program

The Merrit Center was founded in 1987 by Betty Merritt and is dedicated to individual and group renewal and empowerment. Retreat programs are held in a charming rustic lodge tucked away in the rural community of Payson, Arizona; endowed with a rugged inheritance of mountains and trees (elevation 5,000 feet): healthy meals, hiking, hammocks, hot tub, and clean mountain air. Therapeutic body work and forest walks are specialties of the Lodge. Located 90 miles north of Phoenix, a beautiful 1 1/2 hour drive from Sky Harbor airport through spectacular desert mountain terrain to one of the largest stands of Ponderosa pine in the world. All programs are limited to fewer than 30 participants; double/single occupancy rooms; private and shared baths.

FREE RETURNING VETERAN PROGRAM INFORMATION HERE!
More on this below.

Their Purpose
We are a non-profit organization dedicated to providing education in renewal and empowerment via classes, workshops and experiential programs in a climate conducive to personal and organizational growth. Ideal setting for persons and organizations in transition.

Free Weekend Retreats in Payson for Returning Combat Veterans
The Merritt Center is offering a special retreat program for combat veterans. With the assistance of mentors, who are veterans themselves, and healing practitioners; returning vets will open the program with a Talking Circle to begin to release the experiences of war and to begin to create the dream of a new life.
Through group and individual activities, participating veterans will learn to recognize the triggers of negative combat experience and learn ways to release negativity and reorder their personal priorities. They will learn to cleanse themselves of toxins of mind, body, emotions and spirit. The final retreat weekend will include family members who will join in a celebration of service and the awakening of a new vision of their future.
All returning veterans are welcomed to participate free of charge.
Seeking Women participants to form the next returning veteran group. For more information on this retreat and resources for women vets contact us.

There is more information, and testimonials, along with pdf applications, at the site.