COLTON -- Over 50 participants crawled through mud, climbed walls, flipped tractor tires, and swam in mud pits at the Wounded Warrior Run September 7.

The annual run was a fundraiser for the Wounded Warriors Outdoor Adventures (WWOA) program.

This was the first year the Warrior Run was held at Camp Serenity, Sturtevant Rd., Colton, after the Howie’s “Naughty” Pine Lodge and a dirt road were constructed at the campground recently.

Since its inception, one of the goals of the founding members of WWOA was always to own a piece of property that could be developed into a rustic hunting/camping area, providing a peaceful respite for our nation’s heroes to use to recharge and relax with their families.

Camp Serenity is the result of that goal and all the hard work over the years. Started in 2019, the campground is now available as a seasonal camp.

It has five cabins with solar power available in each cabin. The campground also has rustic latrines, kayaks, a large gazebo, fire pit, multiple hiking trails and hunting stands/blinds, horseshoe pit, grills, open fire cooking pit, camp shower and a hand cranked water well.

The cabins were donated by Amvets Post #262 of Colton-Pierrepont, Elks Lodge #1702 of Massena, the Curley family, CPL Kyle R. Schneider Foundation, and Tru-Spec Tactical Clothing.

The mission of WWOA is to provide outdoor adventures at no cost to our wound warriors, battle buddies, veterans and their families. The events provide therapeutic fishing, hunting, camping and boating events primarily in Northern New York, as well as other locations throughout the United States and parts of Canada.

WWOA is a not for profit organization founded in 2009, run by volunteers. 100% of profits go towards helping our warriors.