Camp for wounded vets buys property

A nonprofit organization seeking to rebuild wounded veterans’ confidence through outdoor adventure has finally found a home in Troy.

Camp Patriot, founded by Micah Clark of Libby, bought 90 acres on Vinal Lake in early September. The land previously was owned by Carl Douglas, the former chief executive officer of Stinger Welding, who died in 2012 when his plane crashed in Libby.

In past years Camp Patriot has hosted adventure retreats in locations such as Mount Rainier. The organization may now host veterans from around the country at its own ranch. The 90 acres will provide enough space to hunt, fish and drive four-wheelers.

Since forming in 2006, Camp Patriot has pursued a goal of raising $2.5 million. Last year, Clark, a former Fleet Marine Force Corpsman, said his dream was a 150-acre ranch, but acknowledged the difficulty one can face when constantly asking for donations to make an idea a reality.

“I have so many people come up to me and say ‘Hey, have you talked to Bill Gates yet?’” Clark said in a 2013 interview. “It used to set me off, but now I just laugh. People don’t realize how many gatekeepers there are to accessing people like that.”

Camp Patriot enjoyed a breakthrough in 2013, raising $1,7 million in contributions, according to the nonprofit’s tax statement for 2013. The money raised Camp Patriot’s net assets to $1,86 million. Clark was paid $30,000 for his duties as CEO.