within our tribe is unique, and this is important. The magic that can happen on the trail—what we know leads to a greater sense of belonging and lower sense of loneliness—must happen in just a few short days.
That veterans want to spend time with their peers, or that they want veterans to lead these experiences, must not be overlooked by any organization wanting to create inclusive programing for their veteran population. Blake Holbrooke, a recent graduate of Texas State University and volunteer outings leader with the Sierra Club Military Outdoors, suggested: “Be purposeful in designing veteran outings through outdoor recreation programs. Hire and train veterans as trip leaders, advertise through veteran networks on campus, and partner with veteran service organizations (nonprofit and government funded) already doing great work in your community.”
When asked how she would create an inclusive outdoor recreation program on campus, Norton said, “Train and hire a diverse outdoor recreation staff and make sure all outdoor leaders are also trained as allies, then intentionally target under-represented students on campus.” You can use the same policies, trips, and gear you already have available, but be strategic about how you build your rosters.
The good news is that many outdoor recreation departments already offer trips that would be well received by the veteran population. Any additional training in the soft skills needed for working with veteran populations is easy to incorporate but may require you to expand your network of local partners. Consider including campus-based or external veteran organizations to help you understand gaps in staff training.
Bring veterans into your outdoor rec-reation program as willing participants.
Prioritize training field staff to work with veterans while designing opportunities to bring veterans together. While hiring veterans as staff would seem like a good approach, it may not be feasible, for numerous reasons. Intentionally recruiting veterans is feasible, just as intentionally recruiting any marginalized population is feasible, but it relies on designing programs that both allow for veterans to feel welcome and meet their needs. For example, with nearly 50 percent of veteran students having families, what are you offering that allows family involvement?
“One thing I like about the Military Outdoors program is that many outings allow for my kids to come along.” —Jesse Murphy, LCSW, former FDNY and volunteer outings leader with the Sierra Club Military Outdoors
Look for help in understanding what might work best with your population.
My organization, the Sierra Club Military Outdoors, has helped over 85,000 veterans and their families get outside since its inception in 2006. We rely on teams of veterans trained as volunteer outings leaders to plan and lead safe and enjoyable outings. Our program recruits veterans to become our trip leaders. Our curriculum includes veteran-specific health and wellness awareness training on topics such as self-medication, stress awareness, and sleep hygiene. Our volunteers are also trained on how to incorporate meditation and breathing practices into outings, helping veterans to reduce stress and anxiety through mindfulness practices.
Many other organizations in your local community can be helpful. When looking for local organizations, contact the outreach coordinator at a VA hospital or vet center program. You may even have a local coordinator for the Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership (VITAL) Initiative, funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs, in your area who specializes in helping both the veterans on your campus and your staff in understanding your veteran population. Just don’t choose to do nothing—make a plan and take action.
Aaron Leonard is a retied U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, serving from 1987 to 2014. His experience informs the design of wilderness adventure programming and leadership training at the Sierra Club’s Military Outdoors.
Left: Veterans attending Outings Leader Training with the Sierra Club Military Outdoors, Zeno Mountain Farm, VT (Paige Leonard); Outings Leader Training class out for a trail talk, Zeno Mountain Farm (Amanda "Flash" Gordon)
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