June is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month, so the outings the River Deep Foundation hosts during this time tend to be especially meaningful. We seek to bring hope and healing to people facing an array of mental health and physical challenges — including the roughly 12 million Americans who have PTSD. We invite you to learn more from the National Center for PTSD.
Though PTSD treatments work, most people with this often debilitating condition do not get the help they need — so we work to help them connect with effective therapies and supportive resources that can lead to a better quality of life. Among those first, important steps to healing is establishing personal connections and finding supportive communities that engage, inspire, restore confidence and bring hope and joy.
We are especially pleased to present this month’s outing report.
Blacksmithing & Welding with Kilroy’s Workshop
Colorado Springs, June 1
Participants: Operation TBI Freedom (OTF), VA, Ft. Carson SRU
Our friends at Kilroy’s are always so engaging! Participants are working on projects of their choice — and some return to focus on continually advanced projects.
Clay Sculpting with Cottonwood Center for the Arts
Colorado Springs, June 3
Participants: OTF
Our amateur-to-advanced sculptors focused on building the creations of their choice. Their masterpieces will be returned after the kiln makes them even more beautiful.
Fly Fishing at Lincoln Hills with Anglers of Honor
Denver, June 8
Participants: OTF, Ft. Carson Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU), VA, Craig
Thanks to our expert guides from Front Range Anglers for showing us the fundamentals before everyone suited up and headed to the water on this beautiful day. After a fun morning, we told plenty of fish stories over a delectable lunch provided by Gondolier Italian Eatery.
Equine-Assisted Learning, Remount Foundation
USAF Equestrian Center, Colorado Springs, June 11
Participants: OTF, VA
This is a calming and centering time. We focused on groundwork exercises — the gateway to building a great relationship with a horse. Afterwards, participants enjoyed a gentle trail ride.
Family Fishing, Archery & Fun Day!
Brighton, June 15
Participants: OTF, SRU, VA, Craig Hospital
Families enjoyed a sunny day with volunteers from Colorado Youth Outdoors, who guided fishing on the property’s many ponds and lessons on its archery course! It was a lovely day to be outdoors — and participants connected and made new friends over lunch provided by our friends at Gondolier.
