TF142 | Spouses | Big Sky, MT
A note from the Task Force Director…
As we wrap up another Task Force, I am immensely grateful to have spent the week with six more amazing military spouses. That initial meeting after arriving in Montana is always filled with nerves and uncertainty, but it didn’t take long for all of that to fade away and for the real magic of the Task Force to begin.
Our days were filled with skiing and snowmobiling, both of which many recipients had little to no experience with. My favorite thing was hearing the ladies talk of the “peace” that seems to surround you when you’re in the mountains, something these busy wives and moms don’t get to experience all that often and in their daily lives. I cannot begin to describe the amount of laughter and jokes that occurred on this Task Force, and I will cherish those memories forever. It is always amazing to me how we start the week as strangers and leave as best friends, something I believe is the backbone of Big Sky Bravery. These ladies leave Montana knowing they always have someone they can talk to and rely on, and that is a beautiful thing in a life that can oftentimes feel lonely and isolated.
We are deeply grateful for the generous donors that support these Task Forces and allow us to provide these women with an unforgettable week in Montana. Without them, none of this would be possible, so thank you to all of our donors that help to make this a reality for our military spouses.
To my awesome volunteers: Louise 'Weezie' Schelhammer, Heather Boyce and Samantha Kilgore - thank you for everything. I truly couldn’t have done it without all of you.
To our recipients: thank you for an unforgettable week and for trusting in Big Sky Bravery. Your strength and perseverance are a true testament to the type of women that you are. You will always hold a special place in my heart, and I am so thankful to have spent the week with all of you.
Kristi McCain
Task Force 142 Director
Volunteers to Thank:
Kristi McCain, Task Force Director
Lousie “Weezie” Schelhammer, Assistant Task Force Director
Heather Boyce
Sam K.
Patriots to Thank:
The Yellowstone Club
Canyon Adventures
Big Sky Natural Health
Mountain Sol Massage
The Auto Inn
Flaskap
Outdoor Research
Steve & Dori Schelhammer
Melissa Ferraro
ANTHEM Snacks//LMNT//Wild Society Coffee
“Thank you to the entire BSB team for creating this truly life-changing program. Being chosen to be a participant has me overcome with emotion and gratitude.
When I first entered the program, I was in a very dark place — I felt lost, isolated, and disconnected. But through the understanding and shared experiences with a group of strangers, I was able to rediscover the light I thought I had lost forever.
Though I didn’t know initially, what I needed most was exactly what BSB & TF142 provided, at the exact moment I needed it. For that, I am beyond grateful.
This TF left a lasting impact for me and goes far beyond the invaluable insights I’ve gained— I also gained an extended family of people who just get it and share the unique experience of being a SOF spouse. In a world that can sometimes feel disconnected, having this support system is more than words can express. I will hold my experience close and to my heart for the rest of my life, knowing we are never truly alone.
BSB - Thank you for supporting us the way you do. It is unmatched and truly heartwarming.
An extra special thank you to the lovely TF Directors and Volunteers. They truly made us feel so special and took great care of us. The amount of hard work, dedication, and generosity was overwhelming and incredibly humbling. I am deeply honored and thankful to have been a recipient. I had a blast and I’m excited for the next time to see my BSB people! Send it!
-K.”
“BSB went above and beyond this week. I knew it would be a great trip, but I could never imagine how amazing it would be. I am so grateful to have met all the incredible women I spent the week with and built lifelong relationships with.
The camaraderie and support throughout the week were truly inspiring. Each day was filled with laughter, learning, and growth. Whether we were navigating new challenges on the slopes or sharing stories over a great meal, the bond we formed was something truly special.
I feel incredibly lucky to have been part of such a dynamic and empowering group. The experiences we shared enriched my life in ways I hadn't anticipated.
Thank you, BSB, for organizing such an unforgettable week and for bringing together such a wonderful group of women. This trip will forever hold a special place in my heart.
-K.”
“Big Sky Bravery provided me with one of the most incredible experiences of my life.
While I was so excited about this adventure, I was extremely nervous. I did not know any other attendees, and honestly, I didn’t feel like I deserved to be given such an incredible trip. When I arrived, all of my anxieties and fears went out the window as I was greeted with more kindness and support than I ever thought possible.
Spending time with the other incredible SOF spouses and the dedicated BSB volunteers cured my loneliness and gave me the emotional support I never knew I needed.
I genuinely feel I came out of that week as a changed woman.
I have a new sense of self-worth and the desire to be the best wife, mother, and friend I can be.
This new group of friends and the BSB community is something that I will cherish forever. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much.
-A.”
“Five years ago I became both a mother and a caregiver within the special operations community. Since then, I’ve never left my children or spouse to go anywhere alone. Even when I had the time, money, or opportunity, I would always find an excuse or convince myself that there was something else I should prioritize.
The special operations community is relentless, rewarding, and demands a lot of its families. It is a community that is always moving forward and one that rarely slows down. The relentless forward progress can, and all too often does, sweep up the individuals and families without regard or respite from the demands of this unique lifestyle.
Individuals in this community learn to keep our heads down and keep moving forward. We don’t stop, and sometimes in that constant motion you forget how to pause or even take a breath. I found myself so focused on giving everything to my family and the community that I forgot the importance of investing in myself.
That’s when Big Sky Bravery stepped in. They gave me the opportunity to break away from my routine and take the time I never thought I deserved. Big Sky Bravery removed all the excuses I had, and for the first time in a long while, I could focus on my well-being. This organization allowed me to meet other spouses who understand the highs and lows of being part of such a proud yet isolated profession. The connections I made during the trip were truly life-changing.
One of the most surprising gifts of this experience was discovering a new passion of skiing. I never thought I would enjoy it, but the instructors gave me the confidence to try something new.
It wasn’t just about learning a sport; it was about finding hope.
I found something I could not only enjoy for myself but also share with my family, including my disabled children.
As spouses, we often stand in the shadows of the giants who shape our community. Yet, there is a unique kind of humbling strength and healing found standing beneath the towering peaks of Montana’s mountains. Silent giants that, like our spouses, command respect and offer solace in their quiet endurance.
Big Sky Bravery gave me the space to reconnect with myself, gain new perspectives, and build meaningful relationships. I am forever grateful for the opportunity the organization, volunteers, and generous donors gave me to breathe, reflect, and discover new parts of myself.
-M.”
“Participating in a Big Sky Bravery Task Force was not only a trip of a lifetime in terms of the incredible activities we got to engage in, but it was also a deeply moving and therapeutic week unlike anything else I’ve gotten to experience as an active duty military spouse.
There is nothing trite or cliché about the deep gratitude that is exuded from every Big Sky Bravery employee and volunteer, and through every generous and thoughtful action taken by the organization. It is humbling to be on the receiving end of such goodness and pureness of heart. The unique way in which vulnerability was shared and respected, deep friendships were formed in such a short period of time, and incredible life-long memories were made all speak to the value of this organization and what makes it unlike anything else out there.
‘No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks.’ -James Allen
Thank you for doing your duty so that our families can continue ours.
-C.”
“Supporting my service member for the past 20 years has been my greatest honor, but it hasn’t always been easy for our family.
I never expected to find a group that truly saw and appreciated the sacrifices we make as military families—until now.
The Big Sky Bravery Military Spouse Retreat was an experience that changed me in ways I never could have imagined possible in such a short amount of time.
From the moment we arrived, the volunteers welcomed us with open arms. They went above and beyond to take care of every little detail, and their kindness, dedication, and genuine care created an environment where we could truly relax and be ourselves. The accommodations were beautiful, cozy, and the perfect place to unwind.
And then there was the adventure. Snowboarding and snowmobiling in perfect conditions, surrounded by breathtaking views—it felt like pure freedom. And the Yellowstone Club? Absolutely incredible. I’m blown away by the generosity of all the people who made these experiences possible.
Now, a week after coming home, I feel like a new person. This retreat wasn’t just a getaway—it was a reset. I reconnected with myself, found a new sense of strength, and, most importantly, made lifelong friends with both the other spouses and the incredible volunteers.
I can’t say thank you enough—to the volunteers who gave so much of themselves and to the donors who made it all possible.
Your generosity changed my life.
I am beyond honored to now be a part of the Big Sky Bravery family, and I am more motivated than ever to pay that generosity forward. I want to ensure that other deserving military spouses get the same treatment and experience that I was so lucky to receive.
-S.”
