Veterans Program Type: Week Long Programs

Idaho Fly Fishing for COMMIT Veteran Couples

  • 2 minutes read

  • July 23, 2025

This is a couples program in partnership with the COMMIT Foundation based in Bozeman, Montana.  The COMMIT Foundation empowers those who have served and their families to create purposeful and fulfilling transitions by providing personalized programs, resources, and the support of community.

This program is sponsored by Forterra. Forterra and Higher Ground are united by a shared mission: to serve those who have served. Both organizations are deeply committed to empowering veterans; Forterra through technology that protects and extends human capability, and Higher Ground through therapeutic recreation that builds resilience and community. This partnership bridges those worlds, bringing veterans new opportunities to reconnect, recover, and re-engage with purpose.

  • Who: 8 COMMIT Foundation Fellows and their significant other
  • When: September 21-26, 2025
  • What: A week of recreational therapy activities with a focus on fly fishing.
  • Where: Sun Valley, Idaho
  • Accommodations: Sun Valley Resort
  • Cost: ALL program related costs including transportation are covered.
  • Point of Contact: Dave Keir, Dave@highergroundusa.org
Forterra
Forterra is a developer of advanced autonomous systems designed to meet the mission-critical demands of today’s defense and national security landscape. Focused on protecting front-line soldiers and enabling civilian workers, Forterra delivers end-to-end self-driving solutions to solve the challenges of dull, dirty and dangerous jobs. 

Built and integrated at scale and speed, Forterra puts effective and reliable capabilities into the hands of operators when and where they are needed in any contested environment.

Written by:

Dave Keir

Published on:

July 23, 2025

Oregon Fishing Adventure for Veteran Couples

  • 1 minute read

  • July 2, 2025

The program will take place on the Rogue River in Oregon.  You will be fishing, floating the river, and staying in Lodges each night.

  • Who: 6 male or female veterans and their spouse/significant other
  • When: October 6-11, 2025
  • What: A week of recreational therapy activities for both you and your spouse/significant other focused on fishing and adventure.
  • Where: Rogue River Oregon
  • Accommodations: Lodges along the river,
  • Accessibility: Mixed terrain including sand, rocks and steep hikes to the lodges.
  • Cost: FREE – Higher Ground Covers ALL program related costs
  • Point of Contact: Dave Keir, Dave@highergroundusa.org

Written by:

Dave Keir

Published on:

July 2, 2025

Texas Photography Program for Individual Veterans

  • 1 minute read

  • May 14, 2025

This is an introduction to digital photography designed to help participants understand camera settings, composition, and build confidence.   

  • Who: 10 male or female veterans 
  • When: September 24-30, 2025
  • What: Digital photography in combination with other recreational activities
  • Where: Rising Star, Texas (central Texas)
  • Accommodations: You will have your own room and private bathroom
  • Equipment: Participants will need to bring their own laptop computer for editing photos

Written by:

Dave Keir

Published on:

May 14, 2025

Washington Wilderness Program for Veteran Couples

  • 1 minute read

  • February 10, 2025

Mazama, Washington is a community located in the Methow Valley of Washington, on the east slopes of the North Cascades and North Cascades National Park.

  • Who: 8 veterans/active duty and their significant others
  • When: September 4-9, 2025
  • What: A week of recreational therapy activities with a focus on hiking, fly fishing, and kayaking
  • Where: Mazama, WA.  (Fly into Spokane, WA with a 3.5 hr drive to Mazama House). 
  • Accommodations: Participants will have their own room with shared bathrooms. 
  • Accessibility: Our accommodation has limited accessibility and does not allow service dogs on the premises as it’s a privately owned entity.  
  • Cost: HG covers all related costs, including travel costs for both veterans and supporters
  • Point of Contact: Dave Keir dave@highergroundusa.org

Written by:

Higher Ground

Published on:

February 10, 2025

Northern California Surfing Program for Individual Veterans

  • 1 minute read

  • February 10, 2025

Palo Alto VA Recreational Therapists and Higher Ground have partnered on this unique Northern California Surfing experience.

  • Who: 10 male or female veterans from the Palo Alto, CA region 
  • When: August 10-15, 2025
  • What: A week of recreational therapy activities with a focus on surfing
  • Where: Pacifica. CA
  • Accommodations: TBD

Written by:

Higher Ground

Published on:

February 10, 2025

Idaho Kayaking for Individual Veterans

  • 1 minute read

  • February 10, 2025

You will be paddling an inflatable kayak down the Lower Salmon, River in Idaho.  You must be comfortable in and around water.  This is an epic outdoor adventure with great scenery and comradery.

  • When: July 30 – August 4, 2025
  • What: A week of white water kayaking with Orange Torpedo Trips and recreational therapy activities
  • Who: 10 male or female veterans
  • Where: Lewiston, Idaho
  • Accommodations: Riverside camping in tents
  • Accessibility: Participants will be paddling in an inflatable kayak for several hours at a time, participants will navigate a variety of terrain including but not limited to wading in shallow water, gravel beaches, uneven dirt paths. This program does not accommodate CPAPs
  • Cost: HG covers all related costs, including travel costs 

Point of Contact: Dave Keir dave@highergroundusa.org

Written by:

Higher Ground

Published on:

February 10, 2025

Idaho Hiking and Biking for Individual Veterans

  • 1 minute read

  • February 10, 2025

A hiking and mountain bike focused program in beautiful Sun Valley, Idaho in partnership with the Helena, Montana VA.  This is a rustic program with shared sleeping arrangements.  This program takes place at approximately 7,000 feet.   

  • Who: 6 male or female veterans 
  • When: July 26 – 31, 2025
  • What: The fundamentals of mountain biking with instruction and trail riding.  Some familiarity with mountain biking is recommended.  
  • Where: Sun Valley, Idaho
  • Accommodations: You will be staying in a yurt with a shared sleeping area and outhouse restroom.  Genders will be sleeping separate yurts.
  • Cost: FREE – Higher Ground Covers ALL program related costs and provides necessary equipment for the week’s activities

Written by:

Higher Ground

Published on:

February 10, 2025

California Scuba Program for Veteran Couples

  • 1 minute read

  • February 10, 2025

This program is for couples who are not currently PADI certified.  Some additional health screening and on-line training will be required.  Must have some swimming experience and be comfortable in open water.  You will take a ferry to the island.

  • When: July 20-26, 2025
  • What: A week of recreational therapy activities with a focus on the fundamentals of scuba diving.
  • Where: Catalina Island, California
  • Accommodations: TBD
  • Accessibility: Some uneven terrain and steps, mostly paved or gravel paths throughout the property
  • Cost: FREE – Higher Ground Covers ALL program related costs
  • Point of Contact: Dave Keir, dave@highergroundusa.org

Written by:

Higher Ground

Published on:

February 10, 2025

New Hampshire Climbing for Individual Veterans

  • 1 minute read

  • February 10, 2025

In partnership with Paradox Sports, we are offering a week-long climbing program in New Hampshire.  

  • Who: 6 male or female veterans 
  • When: June 22 – 27, 2025
  • What: Introduction to the fundamentals of rock climbing NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. All climbing levels are welcome.
  • Where: Rumney, New Hampshire
  • Accommodations: Private house with shared bathrooms
  • Accessibility: Some uneven terrain and steps, mostly paved or gravel paths throughout the property, participants will be navigating steep terrain and hiking about 1/4 mile to and from the climbing sites each day. 
  • Cost: FREE – Higher Ground Covers ALL program related costs and provides necessary equipment for the week’s activities
  • Point of Contact: Dave Keir  dave@highergroundusa.org

Written by:

Higher Ground

Published on:

February 10, 2025

Arkansas Biking for First Responder Couples

  • 1 minute read

  • February 10, 2025

Bentonville is the self-proclaimed “Mountain biking capital of the world” with a variety of trails and parks to meet you where you are at.  Instruction and equipment provided and some familiarity with biking is recommended.

  • Who:  First Responders and their significant other
  • When: June 8 -13, 2025
  • What: A week of recreational therapy activities for both you and your spouse/significant other, focused on developing skills on a mountain bike 
  • Where: Bentonville, Arkansas
  • Accommodations: Private Room at The Bike Inn
  • Cost: FREE – Higher Ground Covers ALL program and transportation related costs
  • Point of Contact: Dave Keir dave@highergroundusa.org

Written by:

Higher Ground

Published on:

February 10, 2025