Best Veterans Resources for Climbers in the Country
Summer often means camping trips, beach days, and time outdoors with friends and family. For many veterans, though, holidays like Memorial Day and the Fourth of July can also bring added stress and isolation. Finding the right community can make a meaningful difference during those moments.
For veterans who climb—or want to start—there are organizations, meetups, and training programs across the country that offer more than just time on the wall. They create opportunities to build confidence, develop skills, and stay connected with people who understand the transition back to civilian life.
VetsClimb
VetsClimb is an initiative within Catalyst Sports, an organization whose mission is to “create access to adventure for people with disabilities.” Through VetsClimb, veterans of different backgrounds and ability levels can participate in a team-centered climbing environment designed to help them build strength, confidence, and connection.
The group typically meets on the second Tuesday of each month at Central Rock Gym in Atlanta, Georgia. It also hosts two larger meetups each year, including the 9/11 Climb in Red River Gorge, Kentucky, scheduled for September 11–13. In addition, VetsClimb offers outdoor climbing clinics and other experiences throughout the Southeast.
If you want to learn more or get involved, Catalyst Sports asks interested participants to contact franz@catalystsports.org. Whether you are brand new to climbing or already experienced, VetsClimb can be a strong entry point into a supportive veteran and first responder community.
Veterans Exploration Therapy
Despite the name, Veterans Exploration Therapy (VET) is not traditional therapy. It is a Colorado-based nonprofit founded by Deke Letson, a combat Army veteran who served two tours in Iraq. He developed the idea for the organization in a community college class, and it has since supported many veterans and families in Colorado.
Through outdoor experiences, VET helps veterans build confidence, develop practical skills, and improve mental health through connection and activity. Its events include climbing, camping, paddleboarding, fly fishing, and more.
If you are in Colorado, VET may be one of the most accessible ways to meet other veteran climbers and spend time outside in a supportive setting. More details about upcoming events and meetups are available at vetxtherapy.org.
American Alpine Institute Veteran Programs
The American Alpine Institute (AAI) is one of the leading organizations in the United States for mountaineering education, guiding, ski instruction, and avalanche training. It is also the oldest institute in the country accredited by the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA).
Since 2017, AAI has accepted VA benefits for its instructional programs. The goal is to help veterans gain the confidence, skills, and tools needed to pursue roles in the outdoor adventure industry. Those paths can include work as rescue technicians, climbing instructors, mountaineering guides, outdoor educators, and ski patrol staff.
According to AAI, it also offers AMGA courses specifically for veterans who want to strengthen their path toward becoming mountain guides. For veterans who are interested in turning climbing and outdoor education into a career, this program can offer a practical next step.
Local Gym Meetups and Affinity Groups
Not every valuable resource is a national nonprofit or formal training program. In many cases, the best place to start is your local climbing gym.
Many gyms across the country host affinity groups for veterans and offer discounted day passes for meetup nights. These groups give veterans a chance to climb together, build friendships, and support one another through civilian life. Some also organize outdoor trips or “gym to crag” sessions that help climbers transfer indoor skills to outdoor settings.
Local meetups can also create valuable networking opportunities. Beyond climbing itself, they can help veterans find community, encouragement, and people who understand similar experiences.
What to Do if Your Gym Does Not Offer Veteran Resources
If your local gym does not already have a veterans affinity group, it may be worth asking whether one can be started. While that step can feel intimidating, community support is especially important during and after the transition out of military service.
As the National Veterans Homeless Support notes, “Studies show that social connections significantly improve mental health, underscoring the critical importance of mitigating social isolation among veterans.” When formal resources are limited, local community can become the first line of support against isolation, stress, and other mental health challenges.
Starting a group—or even beginning the conversation—could open the door for other veterans who are looking for the same sense of connection.
Veterans who climb have more resources available than many people realize. From VetsClimb meetups and Colorado-based outdoor programming to career-focused instruction through AAI and grassroots community at local gyms, there are several ways to stay connected through climbing.
Military service may end, but community does not have to end with it. Climbing can create space for new friendships, new skills, and new opportunities—and in many cases, that next community starts with one meetup, one gym night, or one conversation.
