Operation Wilderness Restoration – Veteran’s Course

Trip Dates

Aug 15 - 21, 2027
Arrive: 8:00 am
Depart 8:00 pm
7 Days
Ages: 18+
Tuition: $125
Spots available: 12

Connect with God and fellow veterans through an unforgettable wilderness expedition.

Take a break from the daily grind and leave the noise behind. Join us on this backcountry expedition designed for military veterans seeking renewal, camaraderie, and adventure!

As you connect with God and your teammates while facing the elements of the wilderness together, you'll build meaningful relationships, strengthen your faith, and gain renewed clarity, purpose, and direction for the journey ahead.

*This course is fully funded by generous donor support. An application fee reserves your spot. You will have the opportunity after the course to Pay It Forward for another veteran if you choose.

Activities:

Backpacking

Adventure Destinations:

Wind River Range

Arrive & Depart from:

617 Plaza Ct., Laramie, WY
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Course Info

ESSENTIAL ELIGIBILITY

This course is open to veterans of all branches of military service and all MOS.

We will teach you all the skills needed for backpacking and backcountry living, so no prior backpacking experience is required.

This trip does require a high degree of mobility and physical fitness. We hope to increase our offerings in the future for more ability levels.

Skill Level
Intermediate
Physical Ability
  • Carry a ~45 lb backpack, hiking 4-8 miles a day on and off trail over varied terrain with elevation changes of up to 3,000 ft.
  • Hike and camp at elevations of 9,000 ft. and higher
  • Many days have early start times

Physical fitness is the most important prerequisite of the course. We will provide a training plan to help you be physically prepared for your trip.

Arrival
You will meet your leaders and team at SROM headquarters in Laramie, WY. The day will start with introductions and orientation as you get to know your leaders and team members. We will issue any gear you need and lead you in packing your pack before heading out mid-day to drive to the trailhead. You will camp the first night at the trailhead.
On the Trip

You will spend 6 days backpacking in the breathtaking Wind River Mountains. There you will see towering peaks, beautiful alpine lakes and streams, meadows of wildflowers, and incredible starlit skies in one of the finest wilderness areas in North America. We will teach you the technical outdoor skills to thrive in the mountains, learning things such as campsite selection, backcountry cooking, and using the bathroom in the woods!

Each day will have a spiritual theme with group time in the evenings that often includes worship, teaching, and discussion. Your leaders will also model what it means to be a Leader of the Day (LOD), and you will have the opportunity to lead for at least one day during the course. You will also have extended time to reflect and spend time alone with God on a solo. The lessons will build upon each other, culminating in a final peak attempt.

Through the quiet of solitude, the challenge of a peak ascent, and the fellowship of other believers in Christ, you will discover how much God cares about your heart.

A Typical Backpacking Day:

(times are estimates and will vary)

  • 6:00 AM – Breakfast: Cook breakfast with your cook group
  • 8:30 AM: Pack up camp and head to your next campsite
  • Noon – Lunch: Enjoy lunch at a scenic spot on the trail
  • 3:00 PM: Get to your new campsite and set up camp
  • 4:00 PM: Time Alone with God (TAG), typically 1 hour, and/or teaching
  • 5:00 PM – Dinner: Make a tasty dinner with your cook group
  • 7:00 PM: Group Time – debrief the day and devotional/teaching
  • 9:00 PM: Bedtime

Special Days:

  • Solo
  • Peak Attempt
Departure
On the final day, you will hike out and drive back to SROM HQ. Your team will de-issue group gear and personal gear before showering and debriefing with one of our staff members. Your course officially ends after a celebration meal at a local restaurant with your team and instructors. (This meal is not covered by SROM.)

Downloads

It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it!

SROM is guided by four core values: Glory of God, King & Kingdom, Father & Family, and The Nations. On every SROM course, students will experience:

Spiritual Transformation

Leadership Development

Authentic Community

Character Formation