Veterans Program Type: Week Long Programs

Florida Scuba for Veteran Couples

  • 1 minute read

  • October 9, 2025

Islamorada, Florida is located on the Florida Keys.  This program will require a pre-medical screen for participants.  This is a Discover Scuba program with no certifications required to attend or received after the program.  

  • Who: 8 veterans/active duty and their significant others
  • When: November 30-December 5, 2026
  • What: A week of recreational therapy activities with a focus on scuba, snorkling and other activities
  • Where: Islamorada, Florida. 
  • Accommodations: Participants will have their own room with shared bathrooms.  
  • Cost: HG covers all related costs, including travel costs for both veterans and supporters
  • Point of Contact: Dave Keir dave@highergroundusa.org

Written by:

Dave Keir

Published on:

October 9, 2025

Hawaii Equine Program for Individuals

  • 1 minute read

  • October 9, 2025

This is an Individual program on the Big Island.  Participants must be residents of Hawaii (or stationed).

Event Details

  • Who: 10 male or female Active Duty or Veteran Individuals residing in Hawaii
  • When: November 5-10, 2026
  • What:  Equine and other recreational activities
  • Where: Waimea, Hawaii (Big Island)
  • Accommodations: Kamuela Inn 
  • Cost: FREE – Higher Ground Covers ALL program related costs

Point of Contact:
Dave Keir
📧 dave@highergroundusa.org

Written by:

Dave Keir

Published on:

October 9, 2025

Idaho Fishing and Wellness for Veteran Couples

  • 1 minute read

  • July 23, 2025

This is a couples program that include some fishing as well as other outdoor recreational activities in beautiful Sun Valley, Idaho.

  • Who: 8 veterans and their significant other
  • When: September 20-25, 2026
  • 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

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, 2026
  • 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 24-29, 2026
  • 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 13-18, 2026
  • 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 and bathroom. 
  • 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

Oregon White Water Rafting for Veteran Couples

  • 1 minute read

  • February 10, 2025

The Rogue River is located in southern Oregon and know for its canyons and scenic beauty. Must be comfortable sleeping around water and sleeping in tents.  No CPAPS on the program.

  • Who: 8 male or female veterans and their spouse/significant other
  • When: July 27 – August 1, 2026
  • What: A week of recreational therapy activities for both you and your spouse/significant other, focused on rafting/kayaking
  • Where: Rogue River, Oregon
  • Accommodations: riverside tent camping
  • Accessibility: Mixed terrain including sand and rocks at camp beaches.  This program does not accommodate CPAPs. 
  • 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

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 9-14, 2026
  • 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

California Kayaking for Individual First Responders

  • 1 minute read

  • February 10, 2025

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

  • When: June 18 – 23, 2026
  • What: A week of white water kayaking with Orange Torpedo Trips and recreational therapy activities
  • Who: 10 male or female First Responders
  • Where: Klamath River, CA
  • 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 Expressive Arts for Individual Veterans

  • 1 minute read

  • February 10, 2025

A hiking and expressive arts 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: June 12 – 17, 2026
  • What: The program will include hiking at elevation and art related activities.  
  • 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