PLATINUM2023

Eagle Rock Camp

Reconnecting military families

aka Eagle Rock Camp   |   Conover, NC   |  www.eaglerockcamp.org

Mission

Simply said: Eagle Rock Camp is a family saving, suicide prevention organization that serves our veteran and military families. VISION That all military families heal from the hidden wounds of war. MISSION Eagle Rock Camp, through faith in action, brings military families together to heal, reconnect in their communities, restore their hope and emerge as an empowered, purpose driven unit.

Notes from the nonprofit

Strategic Plan implemented in 2019, revised November, 2021 Fundraising Plan implemented Q2 2019, completed in December, 2020

Ruling year info

2011

Founder / CEO

Lynn R. Marilla

Main address

113 1st Avenue South

Conover, NC 28613 USA

Show more contact info

Formerly known as

Eagle Rock Camp

EIN

45-2470021

NTEE code info

Military/Veterans' Organizations (W30)

Recreational and Sporting Camps (Day, Overnight, etc.) (N20)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

Sign in or create an account to view Form(s) 990 for 2021, 2020 and 2019.
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Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

We have come to understand that our program is suicide prevention at its core. America has over 22 veteran suicides daily (is 1.5x the civilian rate) and active duty of 2-5 daily. If the family life is solid and happy, our individual family members don't even think about taking their own lives. We teach them how to reconnect and start the healing process from the hidden wounds of war. By serving the entire family, each family member receives the same skills-based training. We provide tools and experiential learning that help them thrive as both individuals and as a family unit - to restore HOPE for the long-term success of their families. Once connections and HOPE are restored, suicide ideations are gone. To date, our divorce rate is less than 1.7%, 2 years post-retreat and 2.7% over the long term - totally unheard of! Our suicide rate is ZERO. Simply said: We save families. We save lives.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Operation Military Family Reset

OMFR is our week-long marriage and family retreat, where the healing process for the whole military family begins. The retreat’s natural setting provides an environment for children and adults to grow in spirit, mind, body, and soul. Families reconnect and grow together through interactive workshops based on scientific, sociological methods using a diversion therapy model. The workshops, therapy sessions, and outdoor recreation activities are designed to practice the marriage and family skills learned and to develop and strengthen the family team. Certified coaches, military/community chaplains*, and volunteer retreat alumni conduct the program workshops. We promote relational and communication processes that teach afresh the value of the perspective and strengths of each family member: the veteran/service member, spouse/caregiver, and their children. Military families learn together, have fun together, and heal together – pressing on together with a greater sense of well-being!

Population(s) Served
Military personnel
Families

Building Kid’s Resiliency workshops, a subset of OMFR, emulate the same communication and relationship building skills the parents are learning at the retreat. Counselors lead the children in age-appropriate therapeutic recreation, art therapy, and communication activities designed for teambuilding, having fun, and practicing what is learned.

Population(s) Served
Veterans
Families

The Homefront Battalion employs an ongoing support system of counseling and connection to needed services which exists from a family’s first contact with Eagle Rock Camp and continues through pre- and post-retreat care. Follow-up workshops delivered via webinars and video conferencing, “refresher” couples-only retreats, and additional one-on-one counseling are ways we tailor programs to meet each family’s needs. This support evolves as family needs change, and continues for as long as necessary.

Population(s) Served
Veterans
Families

Where we work

Affiliations & memberships

America's Warrior Partnership / Four Star Alliance 2019

Our results

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.

Percent of families who report they are supported in utilizing natural supports in their communities (e.g., family, friends, neighbors, churches, colleges, recreational services)

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Adults, Caregivers, Families

Related Program

The Homefront Battalion

Type of Metric

Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

Most of our military families do not have a "sense of community". Those people who can support them in times of need for emotional or care support.

Percent of famlies who have improved or starting budgeting, saving and use of credit plans for their families

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Families

Type of Metric

Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

We suspended this part of our program in 2021 to redirect time and resources to healing the Moral and Spiritual Wounds of War, that can ultimately drive financial problems and increase suicides.

Percent of parents who have regained HOPE for the future of their families.

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Adolescents, Caregivers, Families

Related Program

The Homefront Battalion

Type of Metric

Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

The impact of Covid, isolation, the bad withdrawal from Afghanistan and the ongoing civil unrest and increase in crime in the USA has caused our folks to lose more hope than ever.

A ZERO suicide rate amongst all military family members.

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Families

Related Program

Operation Military Family Reset

Type of Metric

Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues

Direction of Success

Holding steady

Context Notes

Suicide is NOT a mental health issue. It is a life issue resulting from unresolved moral and spiritual wounds resulting from military service Our team has participated in averting 20 suicides.

Percent of families who will either start or improve their family financial plan: Budget, spending and savings plans. And engage their children in this process, at their age appropriate level.

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Children and youth, Adults, Families

Related Program

The Homefront Battalion

Type of Metric

Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

We suspended this part of our program and replaced it with healing moral and spiritual wounds of military service and combat deployments.

Of our families who report this issue, a reduction in family violence, verbal/emotion abuse, sexual abuse.

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Families

Related Program

The Homefront Battalion

Type of Metric

Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

Frequently families will not disclose this. Through interviews and workshop participation, issues are discovered. We provide a safe haven for discussion, resolution and healing.

Total number of volunteer hours contributed to the organization

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Type of Metric

Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

This combination of skilled and event volunteers has saved the organization over $124,500 in 2022. Then enable us to serve a growing number of veteran/military families.

Our Sustainable Development Goals

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

To increase funding and number of retreats/families served annually. Each retreat can accommodate up to 10 families.
To successfully address family issues that are a result of military separation and injury with pre and post retreat survey results to ensure goals are met:
More than 90% of couples remain married
Reduction in family abuse: physical, mental, verbal.
Improvement in the behavior of children, measured by improvement in school performance
Improvement in communication, consensus and cohesion within the family unit.
Families establish budgeting and sound family financial practices.
A reduction in ideations of suicide and a ZERO suicide rate.
Restoration of hope to our military families.
Pre and Post retreat care to ensure that NO ONE is left behind.

To consistently measure our programs for use of Best Practices and to always be a Program of Excellence.

Most importantly, we use Best in Class curriculum, that is evidence based and family focused, interactive workshops: along with therapeutic outdoor recreation. Our families learn new or refresh old skills, then practice during the recreational times. Activities are structured to reinforce what was taught. We have several very special activities built into our retreats, and also allow quiet family time for reflection, discussion and rest.

Mindfulness is built into everything we do. From healthy eating to exercise, to breathing and medication, how they think and behave. (to name a few)

Our strategies are to divide fundraising into three categories: increase funding by engaging alumni families in small, grass roots local events, corporate sponsorships and increase third party events. Our plan to increase corporate sponsorship will start by inviting companies to sponsor local military families at retreats held in their area.

As funding increases, so will the number of retreats and people served. We are already expanding our outreach into the active military community by reaching the family readiness officers, chaplains and unit commanders. An active social media campaign expands that reach with both active military and veteran communities. Expanded presence in the veteran community helps "get the word out" as well.

Our membership in the Four Star Alliance provides interaction with other programs of excellence. In collaborating with this group of nearly 100 non-profits who serve the same demographic, we share best practices, communicate and discuss new ideas, hold each other accountable, and participate in data collection and analysis with the larger group, as well as our own.

Collaboration with other organizations who serve the veteran/military families allows us open discussion and keeps us relevant to all that is going on in our industry.

The strength of our volunteer program and participation of our alumni on an advisory board, keeps us in tune to what the military families need and expect from us. They help us tweak our programs.

Configuration of a strong database ensures the efficacy of our data collection and analysis, and the overall results of our program.

Staff development of our core leadership group ensures that we stay abreast of the latest information, resources and technology to help our military families.

What have we achieved so far:
Developed solid programs for couples and children in three age groups. Evidence based, family focused teaches the same principles to all.
Implemented a 5 year Strategic Plan
Revamped our Strategic Fundraising plan in October, 2021 after it was "sidetracked" due to Covid 19 and
other events that caused fundraising to shift.
Development of a two year continuum of care: Family Wellness Plan
Recruited and trained a volunteer program using retreat alumni to help with administrative and on-site
retreat services. This has made all the difference in our ability to provide services.
Implementation of Salesforce as our database management system.
Identified the need for a second follow-up retreat to teach healing from the Hidden / Moral injuries of war.
This has been delayed until 2022.
In 2021, create a Chaplain led, expansion of our post retreat care to include pre-retreat care for those on our wait-list.
Developed solid collaborations with other organizations to provide and share services.

What's next:
Reach more families - our business model of an all volunteer staff is not sustainable over time and stifles growth. In 2021 we launched a Fundraising Campaign that will increase the budget three-fold.
Grow to host 24+ retreats annually
Acquire our own facility. We follow the business model of renting "other people's" facilities. This does not allow consistent therapeutic recreation which creates a risk of having inconsistent results. We also will work more effectively with a home base to operate from to eliminate staff travel, prevent staff burnout and turnover caused by constant travel to other locations. We are developing a capital campaign toward the end of 2019 for this purpose.

How we listen

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.

done We shared information about our current feedback practices.
  • Who are the people you serve with your mission?

    We serve veterans, active duty, National Guard and reservists and their families, inclusive of all races, ethnicities and countries of origin.

  • How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?

    To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals, to understand cultural differences that exist in order to meet our families at their point of need

  • What significant change resulted from feedback?

    We have identified the need for more frequent long-term followup and the ability to provide local resources to our families who attend our retreats from across the country. We have discovered a need for a cohesive, empowered family unit to ensure success of veterans and caregivers who participate in other types of activities that facilitate recovery from wounds and respite care. We have implemented a comprehensive workshop / retreat for couples that addresses the moral and spiritual wounds of war, that is frequently mis-diagnosed as PTSd. Our collaborative partnership with another organization provides Best in Class programming and results.

  • Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?

    We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We ask the people who gave us feedback how well they think we responded

  • What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

    The people we serve tell us they find data collection burdensome, It is difficult to find the ongoing funding to support feedback collection, The organization needs additional funding to expand and improve data collection and analysis.

Financials

Eagle Rock Camp
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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

Subscribe

Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

Eagle Rock Camp

Board of directors
as of 04/26/2023
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

John Nain

Nain and Associates

Term: 2021 - 2022

John Nain

Nain and Associates

Gina King

Realty Executives

Beth Vawter

Rely Workforce Group

Betty Prudden

Retired

Lynn Marilla

Eagle Rock Camp

Amber Higgins

USMC, ret'd

Toby Higgins

USMC ret'd

Colonel Phil Foster

Ex-officio Board Member, USArmy retired

Noel McCall

Ex-officio Board Member, Patriots Path

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • Board orientation and education
    Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes
  • CEO oversight
    Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Not applicable
  • Ethics and transparency
    Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes
  • Board composition
    Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes
  • Board performance
    Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 9/28/2022

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Female
Disability status
Person without a disability

Race & ethnicity

No data

Gender identity

 

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

Equity strategies

Last updated: 11/03/2021

GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more

Data
  • We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
Policies and processes
  • We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
  • We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.