Area Veterans took to the treetops during a recent Veterans Outreach Center’s outing at Bristol Mountain’s Aerial Adventures. Fifteen Veterans from across the region came together for a day of ziplining and ropes courses, allowing them to build connections one obstacle at a time.

According to the Journal of Veteran Studies, researchers found improvements in overall well-being for Veterans immediately following time spent on nature trips, with nature-based interventions showing promise as places where Veterans can receive peer support and gain a reduction in mental health symptoms.

The outing, hosted in partnership with Bristol Mountain, gave participants a chance to step outside their comfort zones while leaning on each other for support. From navigating rope bridges to working through the course’s aerial challenges, the day brought teamwork and adventure.

“It was a great day for Veterans to get together, socialize, work together to solve obstacles, and share a meal,” said Luke Moody, Ontario Cares Veterans Coalition program coordinator. “[It was a] super fun experience that allowed us to team build and share an experience.”

Interested in future outings like this? Contact Jeff Klein at [email protected] to learn about upcoming wellness events with the Veterans Outreach Center.