By Wounded Warrior Project, Special for USDR
Wounded veterans and their families experienced an exciting tour of nature during a recent trip to ZipQuest Waterfall and Treetop Adventure, as part of warrior outreach by Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP). As participants glided over the trees, they experienced what is possible when exposed to social outings that get them out of the house and engaged with their service brothers and sisters.
Located at Carver’s Falls, a pristine 72-acre stretch of forest in the Sandhills of North Carolina, ZipQuest is a sprawling zip line and canopy tour. Injured veterans and family members worked together to traverse a series of aerial bridges and tree platforms.
“I love spending time in the outdoors, and the zip line experience really made me feel free,” said Army veteran Tyrone Sartor. “It was a great adrenaline rush.”
For Eugenio Ortiz, active duty Army, the adventure was a brand new experience.
“I’ve never been to a zip line course before,” he said. “I try to attend as many WWP program events as possible because I know I’ll be in good hands. I’m always able to try something new in a safe environment, and I get to meet other veterans and learn more about other WWP services that can benefit me.”
Activities such as zip line tours support the recovery needs of warriors by reintroducing them to the bonds forged during military service. By encouraging warriors to recapture that military spirit with their peers, the potential for isolation is minimalized.
“There are many injured veterans who still isolate themselves to a confined space,” Tyrone said. “These kinds of events are a great way to break that cycle. They’ve given me knowledge about different coping skills and allow me to meet new people in a setting I’m comfortable with.”
During program activities, WWP staff works with wounded warriors and advises them of additional services that can assist their recovery – like the Warriors to Work® program, which can provide career guidance to veterans seeking employment in the civilian sector. Like all WWP outreach gatherings, these program resources are available free of charge, thanks to the generosity of donors.
About Wounded Warrior Project
The mission of Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. The WWP purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. To get involved and learn more, visit woundedwarriorproject.org.
SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project
Veterans and their families explored Carver’s Falls in Fayetteville during a Wounded Warrior Project trip to ZipQuest Waterfall and Treetop Adventure.
Wounded Warrior Project veterans got the opportunity to traverse the treetops via zip line, aerial bridge, and canopy platform.
