Veterans in the Wild

Our Veterans Wilderness Expedition is a 4 night / 5 day immersive outdoor adventure designed to reconnect former service members with nature, promote physical activity, and foster camaraderie. You will participate in hiking, camping, and some survival skills training in the Olympic National Park. Led by our experienced guides, these trips offer a safe and supportive setting where veterans can challenge themselves, build new skills, and experience the healing power of nature. Wellness 

1. Mental Health Improvement: Exposure to natural environments has been shown to reduce symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The tranquility of the wilderness helps veterans decompress and find peace.
2. Physical Fitness: Engaging in physical activities like hiking and camping helps improve cardiovascular health, strength, and endurance, contributing to overall physical well-being.
3. Camaraderie and Support: Sharing experiences and challenges with fellow veterans fosters a sense of community and mutual support, reducing feelings of isolation.
4. Skill Development: Learning and practicing outdoor survival skills boosts confidence and self-reliance, empowering veterans in their daily lives.
5. Stress Reduction: The serene and distraction-free environment of the wilderness helps alleviate stress and provides a much-needed break from the demands of everyday life.
6.  Personal Growth: Confronting and overcoming physical and mental challenges in a natural setting encourages personal growth, resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose.

The event Includes transportation to and from the  SEATAC airport to the trailhead, backpacking gear (if you don't have your own), meals, and a chance to unplug for a few days.

This will be a physically demanding trip. You will be expected to carry 35-40 pounds on wilderness trails up and down mountains. Type II Fun!

Veterans are responsible for their own travel to the Seattle-Tacoma airport.  We will arrange transportation from the airport to the starting point.  

 The Veterans Marriage Expedition is a specialized program designed to support military veterans and their spouses in reconnecting and strengthening their relationships. Set in the tranquil beauty of the Olympic National Park, this 3 night/4 day ,  retreat offers a serene and distraction-free environment where couples can focus on each other and their relationship. Through a combination of outdoor activities, guided discussions, relationship enrichment activities, participants are provided with tools to enhance communication, trust, and intimacy. This retreat is led by experienced guides familiar with the unique challenges faced by military families, ensuring a supportive and understanding atmosphere.

1. Strengthened Bonds: Shared experiences, such as hiking, camping, and marriage enrichment exercises, help couples reconnect and rediscover the joy in their relationship.
2. Stress Relief: Immersing in nature allows participants to disconnect from daily stresses and digital distractions, fostering a sense of calm and relaxation.
3. Community Building: Participants have the opportunity to connect with other veteran couples, creating a supportive community and lasting friendships.
4. Personal Growth: The retreat encourages self-reflection and personal development, helping individuals grow both as partners and as individuals.
5. Nature: The healing power of nature contributes to mental and emotional well-being, offering a peaceful backdrop for personal and relational healing.

By attending the Wilderness Marriage Retreat, military veterans and their spouses can strengthen their relationship, improve their well-being, and build a resilient partnership equipped to handle life's challenges.

Veterans & their spouse are responsible for their own travel to the Seattle-Tacoma airport.  We will arrange transportation from the airport to the starting point.  

Sponsored by campus student veterans organizations, our Student Veteran Expedition is a 4-night / 5-day immersive adventure tailored specifically for military student veterans. This program is designed to reconnect former service members with nature, promote physical activity, and foster camaraderie among peers. Participants will engage in hiking, camping, and survival skills training. Guided by our seasoned leaders, these expeditions provide a safe and supportive environment where veterans can push their limits, acquire new skills, and experience the therapeutic benefits of the great outdoors. 

Each student veteran cohort comes from the same college campus and upon completion the wilderness portion, participates in structured group activities for a period of time. 

Participating in the Student Veteran Expedition can also help student veterans tackle specific challenges they may face. 

Benefits:

1. Transition to Civilian Life: Adjusting to civilian life after military service can be difficult. This expedition provides a supportive community where veterans can share their experiences and transition smoothly.
2. Balancing Academics and Personal Life: Juggling academic responsibilities with personal and family commitments can be overwhelming. The expedition offers a break from daily stresses, helping veterans return to their studies refreshed and focused.
3. Isolation and Loneliness: Many student veterans feel isolated on college campuses. This program builds a network of camaraderie and support, fostering a sense of belonging.
4. Mental Health Concerns: Veterans may struggle with PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Immersive outdoor activities and the therapeutic effects of nature can significantly improve mental well-being.
5. Physical Health: Maintaining physical fitness can be challenging amidst academic pressures. This expedition promotes physical activity through hiking and camping, enhancing overall health.
6. Skill Adaptation: Veterans often seek to transfer military skills to civilian contexts. Learning survival skills in the wilderness boosts confidence and adaptability, aiding in the transition to civilian roles.

By addressing these challenges, the Student Veteran Expedition aims to support military student veterans in achieving their academic and personal goals while fostering a strong, supportive community.

Our Military Wilderness Expedition is a 4 night / 5 day immersive outdoor adventure designed for current active duty service members to get off the grid and connect with nature.  Additionally, this event combines physical activity and team building to foster camaraderie and grit. You will participate in hiking, camping, and some survival skills training in the Olympic National Park. Led by our experienced guides, these trips offer a safe and supportive setting where service members can challenge themselves, build new skills, and experience the transcendent power of nature. Wellness 

Benefits:

1. Mental Health Improvement: Exposure to natural environments has been shown to reduce symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The tranquility of the wilderness helps veterans decompress and find peace.
2. Physical Fitness: Engaging in physical activities like hiking and camping helps improve cardiovascular health, strength, and endurance, contributing to overall physical well-being.
3. Camaraderie and Support: Sharing experiences and challenges with fellow veterans fosters a sense of community and mutual support, reducing feelings of isolation.
4. Skill Development: Learning and practicing outdoor survival skills boosts confidence and self-reliance, empowering veterans in their daily lives.
5. Stress Reduction: The serene and distraction-free environment of the wilderness helps alleviate stress and provides a much-needed break from the demands of everyday life.
6. Personal Growth: Confronting and overcoming physical and mental challenges in a natural setting encourages personal growth, resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose.

The event Includes transportation to and from the SEATAC airport to the trailhead, backpacking gear (if you don't have your own), meals, and a chance to unplug for a few days. 

This will be a physically demanding trip. You will be expected to carry 35-40 pounds on wilderness trails up and down mountains. Type II Fun!

Service members are responsible for their own travel to the Seattle-Tacoma airport.  We will arrange transportation from the airport to the starting point.  

Brandon is a recently retired military chaplain with 35 years of military service, where he served multiple combat tours and understands firsthand the challenges and blessings of military life. With a passion for creating nature-based experiences for veterans and their families while serving on active duty, Brandon developed the first wilderness-based resiliency programs for the Marine Corps. As he continued to develop and lead these trips, he witnessed the program's profound and positive impact on service members. In retirement, Brandon has continued to lead wilderness-based trips for active-duty service members and veterans' groups. He recently founded Veterans in the Wild so that more veterans would have this powerful opportunity. 

Peter  was medically retired from the Air Force in 2016 and now lives in Asheville, North Carolina with his Wife, Son, and soon to arrive Daughter. After retirement he began working as an expedition guide with several veteran organizations that focus on wilderness therapy in the backcountry. His passion is studying and practicing primitive, survival, and bushcraft skills. His wide range of experience includes leading expeditions to the Amazon Rainforests of Colombia, Brazil, and Peru and teaching at the Global Bushcraft Symposium.  Additionally, he has spoken as a subject matter expert on jungle survival at the Jungle Warfare Symposium hosted by 7th Special Forces Group at Eglin, AFB. He is incorporating these skills into veteran trips as a way to reconnect veterans to nature, enabling them to have profound experiences in the wild.

Having raised four children over more than 20 years of military life, through multiple deployments and moves, Jennifer Whitaker brings a unique perspective to the board.  An avid hiker and camper since childhood, she understands the power of nature to heal the soul and create connection. As a military spouse, she is also a passionate believer in the power of connection and community. Jennifer now works as a Youth Librarian for a small library just outside a big Air Force base and loves the opportunity to continue serving military families. 

Daniel served as a military chaplain for 23 years, completing multiple tours in Iraq and the Persian Gulf with Navy and Marine Corps units. After retiring, he worked as a Guidance Counselor at a federal Job Corps Center. Currently, he teaches 6th-grade literature, serving the younger generation. He believes that both experiential and academic education are key to unlocking life's potential and solving the greatest challenges faced by individuals and families. Combining his military and educational experience with an M.Ed. in Professional Counseling, Daniel brings a wide range of expertise to Veterans in the Wild. His greatest joys come from spending time with his family.