Veterans Program Type: Week Long Programs

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

Arkansas Outdoor Adventure for First Responder Couples

  • 1 minute read

  • February 10, 2025

We will be staying at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch in Jasper, Arkansas.  Recreation will include e-biking, rock climbing and other outdoor activities

  • Who:  8 First Responders and their significant other
  • When: November 2-7, 2026
  • What: A week of recreational therapy activities for both you and your spouse/significant other, focused on adventure and wellness.
  • Where: Jasper, Arkansas
  • Accommodations: Cabin on the Horseshoe Canyon Ranch Property 
  • 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

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: May 3-8, 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 Golf and Wellness Program for First Responder Couples

  • 1 minute read

  • January 25, 2025

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

Event Details

  • Who: 8 Veteran couples residing in Hawaii
  • When: February 3-8, 2027
  • What:  Golf and other island based recreational activities
  • Where: Waimea, Hawaii (Big Island)
  • 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

Texas Bass Fishing for Individual Male Veterans

  • 1 minute read

  • January 25, 2025

Wood Ranch is located in Rising Star, TX and is a working ranch that is leased by the 1687 Foundation to hold charitable retreats and outdoor activities for nonprofit organizations. 

Event Details

  • Who: 10 Individual Male Veterans 
  • When: November 12-17, 2026
  • What: A week of recreational therapy activities with a focus on bass fishing and archery
  • Where: Rising Star, TX (It is located 2.5 hours from Dallas and 1 hour from Abilene)
  • Accommodations: Participants will have their own hotel style room with private bathroom area. 
  • Accessibility: Participants will be sitting/standing in bright sunlight with limited shade and high temps for up to 6 hours on boat as well as navigate a variety of terrain throughout the property  
  • 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:

January 25, 2025

California Ocean Sports for Individual Veterans

  • 1 minute read

  • January 25, 2025

Laguna Beach is located 1-hour south of Los Angeles. You will camp overlooking the Pacific Ocean with incredible views and ocean breezes.  

Event Details

  • Who: 10 male or female veterans
  • When: Apr 13 – 18, 2026
  • What:  Activities include but not limited to intro to kayaking, surfing, e-biking, daily discussion groups.
  • Where: Laguna, CA
  • Accommodations: Camping: HG provides all camping gear including a lantern, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, beach towel and tent. Everyone will have their own 3-4 person tent to themselves.
  • Accessibility: Some uneven terrain and steps, navigating dry sand on beaches, traveling at least three blocks on a variety of terrain including approximately 20 stairs.
  • 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

Idaho Snow Sports for Veteran Couples

  • 1 minute read

  • January 17, 2025

Skiing or snowboarding at the Sun Valley ski resort in Sun Valley, Idaho.

Event Details

  • Who: 8 male or female veteran couples
  • When: January 11-16, 2025
  • What: Skiing, snowboarding, a6nd other winter recreation activities
  • Where: Sun Valley, Idaho
  • Accommodations: Sun Valley Resort
  • Cost: FREE – Higher Ground covers all program-related costs

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

Written by:

Higher Ground

Published on:

January 17, 2025

Arkansas Outdoor Adventure for Veteran Couples

  • 1 minute read

  • January 17, 2025

This event is a partnership program with Horseshoe Canyon Ranch (HCR), a stunning retreat space tucked into the heart of the Ozark Mountains. Surrounded by dramatic canyon walls, forested trails, and open skies, couples will share a week of both adventure and renewal designed to strengthen their connection.
Throughout the retreat, couples will enjoy a variety of guided outdoor activities, including mountain biking, rock climbing, via ferrata, zip lining, and hiking. These shared experiences are balanced with intentional time for rest, reflection, and reconnection, offering space to step away from daily demands and invest in one another.
Who: Up to 8 veterans or active-duty service members and their significant others
When: March 29–April 3, 2026
What: Mountain biking (eMTB), rock climbing, via ferrata, zip lining, hiking, and a variety of recreation and wellness activities
Where: Jasper, Arkansas
Accommodations: Private cabins at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch
Cost: FREE – Higher Ground covers all program-related costs

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

Written by:

Higher Ground

Published on:

January 17, 2025