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 either the desert southwest on the Navajo Nation or 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 designated meeting location 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 designated starting point.  We will arrange transportation from there to the trailhead.  

All of are events are full digital detoxes, no cell phones are allowed, no exceptions 

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.

All of are events are full digital detoxes, no cell phones are allowed, no exceptions 

Our Veterans Bushcraft Expedition is a 5-day / 4-night immersive wilderness experience designed for veterans to reconnect with the land, each other, and themselves. This expedition focuses on learning, practicing, and living primitive skills—offering participants the chance to step away from modern distractions and rediscover the resourcefulness of life in the wild.

Throughout the experience, veterans will learn and apply skills such as fire building, shelter construction, tool making, outdoor cooking, and other bushcraft essentials. By combining traditional knowledge with hands-on practice, this expedition fosters resilience, confidence, and camaraderie.

Led by experienced guides, the event provides a safe, supportive, and challenging environment where veterans can sharpen their outdoor skills while strengthening their sense of community and connection to nature.

1. Mental Clarity – The simplicity of bushcraft reduces noise and distraction, allowing participants to decompress and regain focus.
2. Resilience & Confidence – Mastering survival skills builds self-reliance and adaptability that extend far beyond the wilderness.
3. Physical Well-Being – Activities like chopping wood, constructing shelters, and cooking outdoors engage strength, coordination, and endurance.
4. Camaraderie & Trust – Learning and thriving together fosters strong bonds, teamwork, and mutual support.
5. Stress Reduction – The wilderness environment provides space for reflection, grounding, and healing.
6. Purpose & Growth – Living simply and intentionally in the outdoors encourages deeper self-awareness and renewed perspective.

• Instruction and hands-on training in primitive bushcraft skills
• All meals prepared and shared in the field
• Group camping gear and basic equipment (personal gear list provided)
• Transportation from Greenville, SC airport to bushcraft site. (Please note, participants are responsible for their own airfare) 

Note: This event is physically and mentally engaging. Participants should expect to live fully outdoors, relying on the skills they are learning and practicing each day.

All of are events are full digital detoxes, no cell phones are allowed, no exceptions 

“My backpacking trip through the Navajo Nation to Rainbow Bridge National Monument can only be described as life-changing.  Brandon and Anthony are expert guides, not only in traversing trails in the rugged backcountry, but also in navigating and fostering personal growth, resilience, and real connections with oneself, others, and nature.  Their expertise promoted healing, resilience, personal growth, and a sense of belonging.  I am profoundly grateful to Veterans in the Wild for the opportunity to rediscover myself, my purpose, and my “Tribe” along this journey. ”

"My recent journey with Veterans in the Wild, backpacking to Rainbow Bridge through the Navajo Nation, was a transformative experience. The long hikes and rugged landscapes were just the backdrop to something even more profound—deep conversations around the campfire, moments of vulnerability, and storytelling that fostered genuine connection. This trip reinforced the power of shared experiences and the importance of opening up with those who understand the journey of service and transition. I'm deeply grateful for the opportunity and for the bonds formed along the way.”bove 

In June 2021, my husband and I had the opportunity to go on what we still consider the retreat of a lifetime. The trip, led by Brandon Harding and his team, consisted of a 5-day camping expedition throughout  Linville Gorge in the mountains of western North Carolina.  My husband and I arrived with feelings of excitement and anxiety and left feeling connected, united, and with a clear definition of what we believed a marriage should be for us. Our emotional and insightful exchanges during the nightly campfires were elicited by Brandon’s masterful facilitation of thoughtful and challenging dialogue. Every task and activity built momentum towards each couple’s unique goals with a curriculum meticulously handcrafted and expertly executed. 

My husband’s decision, at the time an active-duty USMC Sergeant Major, to leave behind his phone, his command and relinquish control for a few days was not one made lightly. On top of having two small girls at home, as a psychiatric nurse practitioner, I had my own panel of patients and hesitations about being unreachable. We had only hoped it was worth it. Trust me, it was beyond worth it. Some of the skills learned and agreements made during the retreat continue to play a role in the guidance of us as a couple today as we navigate post-military life. My husband returned from the trip with the confidence that his marriage was secure and recognized the dedication needed to be successful both at home and at work. He was able to convey to his unit that a “good” Marine is not just “good” at work. Back at his command, he worked diligently to incorporate training and family events that highlighted the importance that a Marine must be personally ready to be combat-ready. It has been 3 years for us, and we are still so grateful for Brandon and his brilliance in curriculum, compassion, and 100% professionalism. His ability to take couples from various parts of the country and backgrounds fostering their ability to shine as themselves, as a family unit, and in their occupational environment is truly magnificent. We know how lucky we were to have such an experience and hope others take advantage of Brandon and his expertise for both personal and professional growth!

Just got back from one of the most powerful experiences of my life @veterans.in.the.wild Marriage Expedition a 4-day journey through the wilderness with my wife and four other incredible veteran couples.

We hiked together through breathtaking landscapes, shared deep and honest conversations on the trail, and cold plunged in a crystal-clear river that shocked our systems and woke up something ancient in us. Each night, we circled around the fire pit, and that’s where the real magic happened. The walls came down. We laughed, cried, told the truth, and held space for each other in a way that felt sacred.

The vulnerability, the rawness, the courage was something I’ll never forget. And none of it would’ve been possible without the guidance of our amazing facilitators, who created the perfect container for growth, healing, and reconnection.

If you’re a veteran and married or even just trying to hold it together in the chaos of post-military life, I can’t recommend this experience enough. It’s not therapy in a room. It’s nature and real conversations that go way deeper.

This was medicine.
This was needed.
This was worth it.