Pennsylvania Outdoor Veterans: Empowering Heroes Through Nature
At Pennsylvania Outdoor Veterans, we are driven by a single purpose: supporting and empowering our nation’s heroes. As veterans ourselves, we deeply understand the unique challenges of military service and its aftermath. That’s why we are dedicated to building a community where our fellow veterans can find camaraderie, healing, and the transformative power of the great outdoors.
Our Mission
We believe that nature is not just a setting for health and wellness—it is a powerful tool for healing. Our mission is to:
- Provide outdoor activities like guided fishing trips, camping excursions, hiking adventures, and other nature-based programs.
- Promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being by fostering connections with nature and shared experiences.
- Create a nurturing environment where veterans can build meaningful relationships, rediscover themselves, and find hope.
Our Origin
Pennsylvania Outdoor Veterans, Inc. was founded in 2015 by Ryan Bowman, a combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Ryan’s vision was born from a tragic reality: over 22 veterans take their own lives every day. Determined to combat this epidemic, Ryan created an organization dedicated to reducing veteran suicide through outdoor activities that foster healing, camaraderie, and a renewed sense of purpose. Its that passion that Pennsylvania Outdoor Veterans continues to embody through our outreach missions.
Why Nature Heals
Research shows that reconnecting with nature has profound healing effects, especially for those who have endured trauma. The tranquility of a forest, the stillness of a lake, or the challenge of a hiking trail can:
- Alleviate symptoms of post-traumatic stress.
- Provide a peaceful setting to process difficult emotions.
- Encourage veterans to open up and forge lifelong friendships with others who understand their journey.
These shared outdoor experiences forge support systems that become lifelines in moments of struggle.
How You Can Help
As a volunteer-based, non-profit organization, we rely on the generosity of supporters like you. Your donations fund the programs, activities, and events that bring veterans together to heal and thrive. Every dollar makes a difference:
- $25 could provide a veteran with gear for a hiking trip.
- $100 could sponsor a guided fishing experience.
- $500 could fund an entire camping retreat for veterans in need.
By donating, you help us send a powerful message to veterans: You are not alone. We stand with you.
Join Our Mission
Help us stop veteran suicide and give our heroes the hope and support they deserve. Together, we can make a difference—one veteran, one outdoor adventure at a time.
Donate Today and be a part of this life-saving mission.