Veterans Program Type: Week Long Programs

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 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

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

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 19-25, 2026
  • 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 1 – 6, 2026
  • 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

Alaska Fishing Program for Individual Male Veterans

  • 1 minute read

  • January 25, 2025

Yakutat, Alaska is a remote fishing town with approx. 600 people in population.  The Yakutat Lodge provides guided fishing trips on charter boats and drift boats with shared lodging in cabins. There is also a ¾ of a mile hike to Lake Harlequin scheduled for the day off.

Event Details

  • Who: 8 Single Male Veterans
  • When: May 28-June 2, 2026
  • What: A week of recreational therapy activities with a focus on fishing
  • Where: Yakutat, Alaska
  • Accommodations: Shared lodging in cabins 
  • Accessibility: Participants will be navigating a variety of terrain which includes but is not limited to wading in the river, stepping in/out of charter boats/drift boats and wet boat decks, uneven terrain including gravel, grass, mud, downed trees, rocks, snow, ice and wet surfaces.
  • Cost: HG covers all costs including transportation

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

Written by:

Higher Ground

Published on:

January 25, 2025

California Cycling Program for Individual Veterans

  • 1 minute read

  • January 25, 2025

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

Event Details

  • Who: Veterans from the Palo Alto, CA region (this is a co-ed program)
  • When: April 13-18, 2026
  • What: A week of recreational therapy activities with a focus on road cycling 
  • Where: Marina State Beach, CA
  • Accommodations: Shared lodging
  • Accessibility: This program will require participants to tolerate sitting for 2-3 hours on bicycle (with occasional breaks) to travel on paved road, trail or crushed granite terrain for average of 8-10mph with 50 feet of climbing per mile
  • Cost: HG covers all related costs, including travel costs

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

Written by:

Higher Ground

Published on:

January 25, 2025

Hawaii Recreation and Wellness for Veteran Couples

  • 1 minute read

  • January 25, 2025

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

Event Details

  • Who: 8 Veteran couples residing in Hawaii
  • When: Nov 7-12, 2025
  • What:  Ocean sports, bike riding, cooking, 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:

Higher Ground

Published on:

January 25, 2025