“In the fall of 2021, I came across an NPR article about a small group of dedicated outdoor professionals advocating for outdoor recreation therapy to be recognized by the VA as an approved treatment for PTSD. One name in particular stood out—Cam Fields, whose work in Jackson, Wyoming immediately resonated with me. As a fellow Navy Corpsman and combat veteran, I felt an instant kinship through his story.

At that time, I was emerging from one of the darkest periods of my life. PTSD had taken a heavy toll, and I was struggling to find my footing. The outdoors had always been my refuge, and I knew I needed to reconnect with that part of myself. So, gathering what courage I had left, I wrote Cam and the Front Country Foundation an email titled “Corpsman Up.” To my surprise—and relief—he replied almost immediately. He asked thoughtful questions about my experience, then followed up with a call. Before I knew it, we had worked out dates for me to come out and train. Over the course of five incredible days, I was pushed both physically and mentally. I learned navigation techniques for the vast terrain of the Rockies—terrain very different from the East Coast backcountry I was familiar with. I deepened my avalanche awareness and backcountry safety skills through both classroom learning and real- world practice. I honed my leadership abilities, culminating in planning and leading my own trip on the final day.

The experience was demanding, rewarding, and deeply healing. It reignited my confidence not only in my ability to travel safely and responsibly in the backcountry, but also in who I am as a person and as a veteran. I found camaraderie among others who had walked similar paths through combat and recovery, and for the first time in a long time, I felt supported, understood, and empowered.

The Front Country Foundation gave me more than outdoor skills—it gave me purpose, perspective, and the reminder that adventure can be a powerful force for healing. I’ll be forever grateful to Cam and the team for helping me rediscover both the wilderness and myself.”