About Camp Benesi
Our Story
Camp Benesi was founded after we lost our loved son, brother, friend and fellow service member, Master Sergeant Jonathan Jay Dunbar. Master Sergeant Jonathan Jay Dunbar was killed while serving in Syria, March 30th, 2018. He left behind a wife, 4 children and a vast amount of friends and family. He had a deep love for the North and Lake Superior area. It was his peaceful place when he came home after serving over seas. He found a deep peace and healing here that he could never explain, but it helped him recenter and heal.
In his honor, we wanted to be able to offer that same peace and healing to other Veteran and Gold Star Families, so Camp Benesi was born.
Here, our Veterans and Gold Star Families are welcomed with their families, to come and visit this magically beautiful place at no cost. Travel, lodging, meals and activities are all covered so they can come and focus on healing from the traumas of serving our country or the grief of the loss of their loved one.
Our Mission
At Camp Benesi, our mission is to provide a peaceful and healing environment for Veterans and Gold Star families. We strive to create a space where our guests can relax, find some peace and enjoy a variety of recreational activities while connecting with others who understand their experiences. We have seen the effects and healing that happen here, even while just being able to provide the ability to finally breathe while dealing with grief and trauma.
In our service, we honor you.