CONNECTING VETERANS THROUGH OVERLANDING
Veteran Overland Foundation is a 501[c][3] nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting military Veterans through outdoor and overland activities. V/O aims to provide veterans with opportunities to engage in therapeutic and adventurous experiences, fostering camaraderie and personal growth. We fulfill our mission by leading multi-day camp expeditions, hosting opportunities for connection, and organizing events that empower veterans to reconnect with nature, build community, and promote mental and physical well-being. By leveraging the healing power of the outdoors, the Veteran Overland Foundation seeks to address various challenges veterans may face, such as PTSD, social isolation, and the transition to civilian life post deployment .
Our STORY
V/O was founded In 2016 by Jeff and Will. They originally connected through an online forum called ih8mud, and realizing they were neighbors and GWOT combat vets, decided to meet for beers. Through conversation they shared their love of overlanding and identified parallels between overlanding and their military experiences. Self-reliant travel, packing gear to sustain a long trip, navigation, traveling in a convoy - all reflected experiences while deployed. More importantly, Jeff and Will realized the positive impact overlanding and spending time outdoors had on their mental health and how overlanding allowed them to utilize skillsets that kept them resilient while deployed. Over a fire or two, Jeff and Will decided this was a pastime they wanted to share with more veterans. In 2017 Jeff began to build the foundation of what would become V/O, bringing on Will as co-founder. They attended rallies in hopes of connecting with veterans where they eventually met Zeb, a GWOT veteran who also leaned in to overlanding post deployment. Zeb joined the team in mid 2017 as head of experiences and now serves as the Executive Director for the foundation. V/O officially became a 501(c)(3) in 2019 expanding it’s leadership team and outreach efforts. Learn more about our team on our team page. Pictured is Will (left), Zeb (center), and Jeff (right) at NWOR in 2017.
OUR MISSION
Veteran Overland is a 501[c][3] focused on increasing RESILIENCE within the Veteran community through the proven healing power of CONNECTION, the positive impact of the OUTDOORS, and the need for post-service skill building through OVERLANDING.
V/O PILLARS: CONNECTION | OUTDOORS | OVERLANDING | RESILIENCE
Become a V/O Member
Help support the V/O mission by becoming a Veteran Overland member. Members further the V/O mission by contributing a $50 lifetime membership fee. Proceeds from each membership purchase is donated directly back to The Veteran Overland Foundation and used towards conducting events and sponsoring Vet Connects. Gain early access to event sign ups, swag drops, and members only events.
Apply to be a vet Connect
We’ll fully fund you to attend a V/O event.
Vet Connects are the core focus of the Veteran Overland mission. We conduct multiple Vet Connect opportunities a year by fully sponsoring an individual to attend one of our events, trips, or camps. Vet Connects are our favorite way to get veterans connected to this impactful community and create relationships that last a lifetime. This is open to Combat and Disabled Veterans and their families.
How to help
Veteran Overland is funded through V/O product sales, generous donations, fundraising, and volunteers. We need your help to sustain and expand our mission, and there are many ways to help. 100% of all donations go directly to getting Veterans connected and outdoors.
Shop V/O Gear
Support the Veteran Overland mission by purchasing V/O branded apparel and products. 100% of sales goes directly into funding our events, sponsoring Vet Connects and making more fun swag. Designed by veterans for veterans.
MEET THE TEAM
The Veteran Overland team is 100% comprised of Veteran and Civilian volunteers who commit their free time to bring our mission to life. No one gets paid and funds are never used for personal expense.
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