About Outdoor Wellness Group
Our Background
Outdoor Wellness Group is a movement dedicated to the health and well-being of our community. Veterans, due to the sacrifice required to preserve our national security, have become a population segment of our society that has borne a significant burden over decades of warfare. Despite the help provided by the VA and countless other programs throughout the country, domestic violence, substance abuse and suicide have become standard themes throughout American Veterans Lives. Unfortunately, almost everyone knows a vet who "isn't doing so well".
- Wilderness immersion, rock climbing and mountaineering present a unique opportunity for veterans to experience a challenging, peaceful, psychologically-disruptive event with other veterans.
- This type of experience draws a lot of parallels with positive experiences in the service.
- For Veterans, an event like this is often a catalyst to new pathways and goals in their individual lives, as climbing a mountain has powerful metaphorical implications along with serious physical, mental and emotional challenge.
- Experiencing this in a safe way on a group level requires a team of professionals who are certified, experienced and personally understand what it is like to be a Veteran.
Modern research being performed by numerous government, educational and scientific institutions points to the fact that human beings derive a bonafide medical benefit from spending time immersed in natural environments. A medical constant that has spanned cultures and time has been the advice to seek exercise outdoors. As Veterans, this is a disruptive psychological experience that opens a pathway to the lifelong benefits of being outdoors, allowing Veterans to truly lead better lives. Join us and develop skills to reset, refine purpose, find peace and acquire the outdoor skills necessary to apply ecotherapy to one's own life and find the peace that it brings, at the time and place of one's choosing.
Mission Statement
Provide safe, professionally-guided, veteran-led rock climbing expeditions for US veterans that include wilderness immersion, personal challenge and ecotherapy.
Purpose of the OWG Foundation
- Set conditions for veterans expeditions to take place in North Carolina and abroad.
- Provide travel, gear and tuition for Veterans in need who have identified that they may benefit from this program.
Our People
The OWG Foundation is managed entirely by Veterans, for Veterans. Our tribe is one who has borne the burden of providing our national defense, and we have a responsibility to continue to take care of each other, even after we depart from active duty. Among the numerous options that veterans have with regards to seeking care, the OWG Foundation is comprised of individuals who personally understand what it is like to walk the path, and are here to provide the community, access and recuperative experience that many veterans are seeking.
