“Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach of us more than we can ever learn from books.” –John Lubbock
I have always found a tremendous amount of peace and enjoyment in the outdoors. There’s the physical exertion of a good hike, feeling of accomplishment and awe at seeing the world on top of a mountain, and the sheer sense of wonder you can feel looking at the stars in a dark place.
I know- I’m getting granola on you all.
But seriously- there’s a lot of good to be had in the outdoors. And people are starting to realize that the outdoors can be an especially good place for veterans to heal after difficult experiences and regain the feeling of camaraderie that we all came to know in the military.
This isn’t just some hippy-dippy thinking. Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4] proposed H.R.2435, the Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors Act to require that:
“The Department of Veterans Affairs to establish the Task Force on Outdoor Recreation for Veterans to report on and make recommendations regarding the use of public lands or other outdoor spaces for medical treatment and therapy for veterans.”
The bill has 121 co-sponsors and is extremely bi-partisan.
But you don’t wait have to wait on Congress to pass something to go outside and enjoy the outdoors as a veteran (because that could be a long wait). There are still plenty of programs designed for veterans to heal and bond through outdoor experience, with options ranging from a few days to multiple months.
Few days.
You’ve probably heard these following rules while in the military:
“Rule One: Always look cool”
“Rule Two: Don’t get lost”
“Rule Three: If lost, refer to Rule One.”
While the Rule One Adventure Foundation does indeed have some pretty dope swag on their site, they aren’t literally referring to having cool-guy gear and looking cool. As they describe it:
“Staying calm regardless of the circumstances is not optional, it is a requirement. Remaining calm, and in control of emotions and thought processes, will make or break you. Let the situation develop. The plan may be solid, but once the execution begins, things change, variables enter the equation, and the ability to assess, adapt and overcome is invaluable.”
They take veterans and first responders (the founders have military and law enforcement backgrounds) on 3–4-day tailored trips into the Colorado wilderness to combat the suicide crisis and improve mental health outcomes through the therapeutic benefits of the outdoors.
Veterans Expeditions runs events all over the country throughout the year, from single days to long weekends. Their vision is:
An outdoor community fully committed to one another and leveraging veteran leadership skills that reconnects service members to one another, the land they fought for, and outdoor employment opportunities.
They often work with professional guide companies and outdoor schools to add those extra layers of professionalism to their expeditions.
Oh, and all their trips are free.
A week.
Honestly, I can’t say enough about the personal experience that I had with Outward Bound. I never thought I’d be spending a week in the Minnesota wilderness with two dogsledding teams, but I did and it was incredible.
Every year on Veteran’s Day, Outward Bound publishes a list of their upcoming opportunities for veterans. You can choose to go sailing in the Florida Keys, dogsledding in -20 F (bet I just turned a lot of you off from that), or backpacking in Colorado amongst others.
Their program is exceptional. It was more than about adventure. The insructors are well-trained and excellent at what they do — using the outdoors as a way to connect and heal people. Every night, our group (a mix of veterans, although with some particularly hilarious Marines), sat around the campfire and had some of the more genuine conversations I’ve ever had. It was a truly awesome experience.
Oh, and I ended up adopting one of the sled dogs. He’s enjoying his retirement.
A month.
Micah Fink, a former SEAL, started Heroes and Horses after seeing that, despite the vast efforts from nonprofits and the government, there seemed to be no effect on veteran suicide. So he started his own organization with a process that is unlike anything else that is out there.
Their program involves 40 days in Montana, including multiple week+ long trips in the backcountry via horse (no horsemanship experience needed), followed by a 4–6 week internship that they will work with each individual to create.
No surprise for a former SEAL, Heroes and Horses takes the extreme ownership approach to their programming:
“This program will peel back the layers to who you are, and it is there where you find your truth — and the truth can be painful, but we promise you that it’s worth it. You not only learn to evolve and grow in real time, but you begin to take on and apply the fundamentals of ownership.
You put the victim-hood away, and close the doors on the past — whether it contains good or bad experiences. The horses and mountains will show you the way, but only you can make the choices that will lead you to find what you’re looking for.”
If you are feeling that you’ve lost your purpose after the military and are struggling on multiple fronts, I cannot encourage you enough to look into what they are doing here.
Month and more.
Warrior Expeditions isn’t a program that someone runs and you show up to — this is something you put together and they are there to help you make it happen.
You choose a long expedition you want to take, whether hiking, paddling, or cycling, and they help you make it happen. From outfitting you with top-quality gear, to providing you needed training, and helping you out logistically along your journey.
Having that extended time on the outdoors and gaining that sense of accomplishment after completing a long journey can be immensely valuable to veterans.
As a final note, while on active duty you can receive a free annual pass which grants you access to all the US National Parks. If you’ve already left the military and have a service-connected disability, then you can apply for the free lifetime pass here.
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