since October 2018
Carbondale, Pennsylvania
about 2,350 acres (2023)
- a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
- 38 miles of trails for hiking and biking
- two ponds
Camp Freedom
284 Number 7 Road
Carbondale, Pennsylvania 18407
570-536-6000
About Camp Freedom
Camp Freedom is a nonprofit, year-round outdoor adventure camp near Carbondale in northeastern Pennsylvania that serves disabled veterans, first responders, their families and Gold Star families at no cost to guests. It was founded by Bill Bachenberg, an NRA board member and owner of Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays in Coplay, Pennsylvania, and welcomed its first 49 guests in October 2018. Guests hunt whitetail deer, turkey and other game with rifle, muzzleloader and archery equipment, shoot, fish two ponds and the Lackawanna River, and enjoy hiking, biking, camping and winter sports, with most of the property reachable by Action Trackchair all-terrain wheelchairs.
The camp has grown quickly. The property was described as 1,800 acres in 2019 and about 2,350 acres, with roughly 2.5 miles of Lackawanna River access, by 2023. By then Camp Freedom reported serving more than 7,000 veterans, first responders and family members from more than 40 states, logging more than 17,775 volunteer hours and directing about 94.7 percent of each donated dollar to its mission. It received a $1 million grant through Pennsylvania’s Neighborhood Assistance Program, and it raises funds through events such as GunFest at Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays and a Never Forget 9/11 golf tournament. For the shooting community, it is a direct example of firearms and hunting used to help those who served.
Key Facts
- October 2018: Camp Freedom opens with 49 veterans and first responders
- Mid-October 2019: 292 veterans, 51 first responders and 200+ family members served
- September 2023: More than 7,000 guests served from over 40 states
- 2023: Property reported at about 2,350 acres
Sources
- NRA Hunters’ Leadership Forum: Camp Freedom Helps the Disabled Enjoy Hunting and Shooting
- Shooting Sports USA: Camp Freedom Is Making a Difference for Disabled Veterans
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