VETERANS IN THE WILD

At Veterans in the Wild, we pride ourselves on having a dedicated team of experts who specialize in guiding veterans wilderness trips. Our team comprises seasoned outdoor enthusiasts, certified wilderness guides, and mental health professionals, all united by a common goal: to support and empower veterans as they navigate the healing power of nature. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by veterans, our experts provide personalized guidance, ensuring a safe and enriching journey. Through tailored outdoor adventures, we help veterans reconnect with themselves, build resilience, and foster a sense of community in the serene embrace of the wilderness.

Guiding wilderness trips for veterans offers a powerful blend of therapeutic and practical benefits. For many veterans navigating the transition from the structured world of military service to civilian life, the wilderness provides a rare space for healing, reflection, and renewed purpose. At the heart of these experiences are our guides—military veterans themselves—who bring years of backcountry leadership and deep understanding of the veteran journey. Alongside them, our therapeutic guides combine a love for wild places with advanced training in mental health, creating an environment where growth, connection, and transformation can truly take root.

Shared suffering, often experienced through challenging group activities, fosters deep connections and a sense of camaraderie. When individuals face adversity together, they build trust and mutual respect, essential elements for strong relationships. This phenomenon is particularly evident in activities that involve "Type II Fun," a term coined by adventurers to describe experiences that are tough and uncomfortable in the moment but rewarding and memorable in retrospect. The physical challenge of wilderness activities promotes fitness and overall health, essential for veterans after the rigors of military service. Guided trips offer structured physical exertion, which can alleviate stress and improve mental health.

Belonging is a fundamental human need, and for military veterans, it holds profound significance. Veterans often face unique psychological challenges. Being part of a community of fellow veterans allows for shared experiences and mutual understanding, reducing feelings of isolation and fostering mental well-being. Belonging enhances social connections. Military life is characterized by strong bonds and camaraderie. In civilian life, finding similar connections can be difficult. Embarking on one of our wilderness expeditions creates an opportunity to form a new veteran tribe. As one participant stated, "I haven't felt this close to a group of people since my tour in Afghanistan," Rich. C, SgtMaj USMC, ret.

Veterans Wilderness Expedition

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
Benefits:
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.
Physical Fitness: Engaging in physical activities like hiking and camping helps improve cardiovascular health, strength, and endurance, contributing to overall physical well-being.
Camaraderie and Support: Sharing experiences and challenges with fellow veterans fosters a sense of community and mutual support, reducing feelings of isolation.
Skill Development: Learning and practicing outdoor survival skills boosts confidence and self-reliance, empowering veterans in their daily lives.
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.
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 Marriage Expedition

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 Olympic National Park, this 3-night/4-day retreat provides a serene and distraction-free environment where couples can focus deeply on one another.
Through a combination of outdoor adventures, guided discussions, and relationship-building exercises, couples learn practical tools to enhance communication, trust, and intimacy. The program incorporates evidence-based curriculum from the Gottman Institute, ensuring that couples benefit from proven strategies for building strong, lasting partnerships.
Led by experienced guides who understand the unique challenges of military life, the retreat offers both professional guidance and compassionate support.

Benefits:
Strengthened Bonds: Hiking, camping, and marriage-enrichment activities foster reconnection and rediscovery of joy within the relationship.
Stress Relief: Immersion in nature helps participants disconnect from daily pressures and digital distractions, encouraging calm and renewal.
Community Building: Shared experiences with other veteran couples create a supportive network and lasting friendships.
Personal Growth: Opportunities for reflection and guided exercises support growth as both partners and individuals.
Healing Power of Nature: The wilderness setting enhances emotional and mental well-being, offering a powerful backdrop for healing and renewal.

By attending the Veterans Marriage Expedition, couples strengthen their relationship, improve overall well-being, and develop the resilience needed to navigate life’s challenges together.

Veterans Bushcraft Expedition

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.
Wellness Benefits
Mental Clarity – The simplicity of bushcraft reduces noise and distraction, allowing participants to decompress and regain focus.
Resilience & Confidence – Mastering survival skills builds self-reliance and adaptability that extend far beyond the wilderness.
Physical Well-Being – Activities like chopping wood, constructing shelters, and cooking outdoors engage strength, coordination, and endurance.
Camaraderie & Trust – Learning and thriving together fosters strong bonds, teamwork, and mutual support.
Stress Reduction – The wilderness environment provides space for reflection, grounding, and healing.
Purpose & Growth – Living simply and intentionally in the outdoors encourages deeper self-awareness and renewed perspective.
What’s Included
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)
All of are events are full digital detoxes, no cell phones are allowed, no exceptions