Veteran finds healing power of wilderness in the Boundary Waters

Erik Packard is a Minnesota resident and an army veteran who served two tours in Iraq. Not long after his last tour ended, Erik began suffering from PTSD and depression. He attempted suicide and struggled mightily to find his place in society.

In the past few years one place has helped Erik find light through the dark times: The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Turning back to childhood memories, Erik sought peace in the BWCAW. And he now wants to share his experiences with other Veterans. In 2015, Erik found the Veterans for the Boundary Waters, a group aimed at using wilderness as a means of healing.

WTIP’s Joe Friedrichs learns more about Erik’s story in this interview.