Partner Feature: VAU
We have great respect for those that have served our country and are proud to partner with several veteran organizations to help support their missions. One of those organizations is Veterans and Athletes United. This unique organization focuses on empowering injured and ill veterans by providing outdoor adventures, accessible retreats, and job counseling. Over the last couple of years, we’ve been lucky enough to take several of their groups on rafting, kayaking, and climbing trips. Recently, we spoke with VAU’s President & Army veteran James Howard about the impact Beyond Boundaries has had on their organization.
“We started working with Beyond Boundaries after meeting Shep. We saw a natural connection and opportunity to get more vets out and active and it’s been a great experience,” says Howard.
VAU works with several organizations and it was important to us to provide unique opportunities to the vets they were involved with. Accessibility was incredibly important and we also wanted to make sure that we were offering programming that every one of their participants could enjoy. With that in mind, we began planning whitewater rafting trips along with adaptive kayaking and climbing trips.
“Working with Beyond Boundaries has really opened the door for more opportunities for these vets to be outdoors and be around other veterans,” Howard says.
Our volunteers have also had a huge impact on VAU’s programming. Their unique training in both Disability Inclusion and niche sports like white water guiding and belaying, for example, has made us able to bring customized experiences to this veteran group.
“(Their training) really enables the vet to focus on what they can do, not what they can’t. A lot of them have the perspective that they’ll never do certain things again because of their injuries. The team at Beyond Boundaries helps reinforce our mission showing that nothing has really changed with an injury, you just have to adapt,” Howard explains.
As with any group, there are favorite events that really stand out. Our white water adventures have been an over-the-top success with the vets at Veterans and Athletes United.
“They love rafting down the James, it’s been a stand-out event that everyone speaks very highly of,” Howard states.
Beyond just creating opportunities for these groups to have a fun time on the river or at the Manchester Wall, we also work to make sure that everyone is taking something away from our events and learning about themselves.
“The events help to build their (the vets) confidence and self-esteem when it comes to trying something new and regaining some of what they may have lost being injured in combat. It shows them there are ways to move forward and continue being happy,” says Howard.
It's always our goal to bring the most excitement, energy, and impact to any group we work with. Hearing that the crew at VAU is leaving feeling more empowered to get out and tackle the world is amazing and we’re excited to continue hitting the river and making new memories.
Learn more about our programming here. Donate here or volunteer here.