Blue Star Families and Wilderness Inquiry host event, announce partnership
By At Ease
National nonprofits Wilderness Inquiry and Blue Star Families hosted more than 100 military service members and their families for a community event and canoe paddle on the Anacostia River on Oct. 21. The event marked the launch of a new innovative partnership called Military Families Outdoors, which focuses on supporting the health and well-being of service members and military families through intentional, hands-on outdoor experiences.
Championed by Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Military Families Outdoors brings together experts in military family engagement and inclusive outdoor recreation to ensure veterans and military families feel a sense of welcome and belonging in the lands their families serve to protect. Over the next several years, this new program aims to engage thousands of military family members through community-building and facilitated outdoor recreation activities in the communities where they live and on national public lands and waterways, including national parks.
“The well-being of our nation’s service members and their families is a barometer of the health of our nation. And we know outdoor engagement makes a positive difference for those who adventure outside. This groundbreaking partnership mobilizes the resources of the federal government alongside those of premier national partners to directly support healthy outcomes or military families through intentional outdoor programs,” shared Representative Betty McCollum, Member of Congress.
“Wilderness Inquiry deeply believes in the healing and regenerative power of the outdoors. We are proud to work alongside Blue Star Families and our nation's service members to build nature-based opportunities that connect families to one another and to a continuum of outdoor recreation experiences – from backyard to backcountry — that foster belonging in our communities and on public lands and waterways,” said Erika Rivers, Executive Director of Wilderness Inquiry.
“At Blue Star Families, we believe there is no more important calling than strengthening military families so they can thrive. Our partnership with Wilderness Inquiry is the next step in our work to support the health and well-being of those who serve and the families that support them. This program will ensure that our members feel a sense of welcome and belonging in the lands their families serve to protect,” says Kathy Roth-Douquet, Chief Executive Officer of Blue Star Families.
Government partners include the Defense Health Agency and National Park Service. A portion of funding for Military Families Outdoors comes from a cooperative agreement with the National Park Service.